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December 12, 2019

PART 1: High School Basketball Athlete Q&A; Girls Basketball

When the temperature drops and the roads become white with snow, school athletics turn to the great indoors to continue their competitive play. Within the two schools that reside in our small town, one of the most prominent indoor sports is boys and girls basketball. To give our winter warrior athletes their time to shine, EllwoodCity.org has decided to sit down and provide a Q&A with selected school district’s basketball student/athletes. We begin our two-part series recognizing the girls basketball teams, while part-two will feature the male athletes. ELLWOOD CITY LADY WOLVERINES Maria Ioanilli: Player Name: Maria Ioanilli, Forward Grade:…

December 6, 2019

PREVIEW: Tip-Off Tournaments Start Seasons For Local Basketball Teams

For the four area high school basketball teams tipping off their respective seasons this weekend, there will be a variety of ‘vibes’ for each team, nonetheless all looking to make their own improvements and reach the playoffs in the 2019-20 high school basketball season. Out of the local bunch, the Ellwood City girls basketball team (13-10) is coming off its best season in 15 years. The Wolverines reached the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in four seasons and return five of their top seven players, including junior forward Maria Ioanilli. “We’re coming off our most wins in over 15…

February 21, 2019

Wolverines Fall To Carlynton In WPIAL Class 3A Playoffs

The Ellwood City girls basketball team made the most of their upset bid on Wednesday, but after battling all game against the higher seeded Cougars of Carlynton, the Wolverines finally fell 44-39 in their opening round match-up at North Hills. The teams were tied 18-18 at the half before Carlynton opened the second half with an 11-2 run. Ellwood came back with a 9-2 run to close the gap, but was unable to regain a lead after leading Carlynton for brief moments in the first half. Senior Natalia Greco led the Wolverines (13-10 overall) with 16 points, including eight in…

February 14, 2019

Lady Wolverines Earn Playoff Berth, Set To Battle Carlynton Cougars

The Ellwood City girls basketball team has earned a playoff berth in the 2019 WPIAL Class 3-A Playoffs that begin next week. The Wolverines, winners of four consecutive games, will square off against the 4-seed Carlynton Cougars next Wednesday at 6:30pm at North Hills High School. For the Wolverines (6-8 Section 1 3A, 13-9 Overall), last week’s victory over Mohawk earned the team a playoff berth under first-year head coach Marc Heil. Seniors Natalia Greco and Isabella Roth lead a hungry group of players looking to have its hard work pay off. “Our team worked really hard this year and…

February 6, 2019

PHOTOS: Panthers Fall To Tigers On Senior Night

The Riverside Panthers boys basketball team was defeated by Beaver Falls 68-39 Tuesday night.  Senior basketball players and cheerleaders were recognized as part of senior night festivities prior to the tip-off. Junior Ben Hughes finished with 11 points for the Panthers who could not overcome a 20-point first quarter outburst by the visiting Tigers. Jalen Vaughn (22 points) and Gage McKelvey (21 points) led the offensive output for Beaver Falls (9-11 overall). For Riverside (9-10 overall, 3-8 Section 3A-1), the loss dips them just one game below .500 but the Panthers will look to rebound this Friday when they travel…

January 23, 2019

Wolverines Emerge Victorious Against New Brighton

After a back and forth first half and much of a stalemate in the third quarter, the Ellwood City boys basketball team used a decisive fourth quarter to emerge victorious against New Brighton 55-46 on Tuesday. Ryan Gibbons scored a game-high, and season-high, 16 points (7-12 shooting, two 3-pointers) to lead the Wolverines. The first half featured eight lead changes, settling on a 32-29 advantage for the visiting Lions.  Both teams struggled in third quarter, combining to only score 16 points before Ellwood City used a 17 point outburst int he final frame to pull away for victory. Two other…

January 16, 2019

PHOTOS: Panthers Stifle Wolverines, Earn Boys Rivalry Victory

The Riverside Panthers stifled the Ellwood City Wolverines offense on its way to a 57-33 rivalry victory at home Tuesday night. Ben Hughes, Kevin Kolesar, and Nathan Sciarro led the Panthers offense, while the Riverside defense held Ellwood City to a single field goal in the second quarter, 14 points in the first half, and an overall 23% shooting performance. Hughes (15 points, 6-12 FGs two 3-pointers) and Kolesar (13 points, 5-7 FGs) both reached double figures scoring while Sciarro (7 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) had an all around game for the victorious Panthers.   Riverside (8-5 overall)…

January 15, 2019

PHOTOS: Lady Wolverines Claim Rivalry Victory Over Panthers

The Lady Wolverines claimed a 42-31 rivalry victory over Riverside on their home court Monday night. Balanced scoring a third quarter spurt helped the Wolverines pull away in the tightly contested game. Ellwood City held Riverside to a single field goal in a 3rd quarter that stretched what was a five-point halftime lead out to an 11-point cushion. All six Wolverines who played collected field goals led by Senior Isabella Roth finished with a game high of 15 points (four 3-pointers) including twelve in the first half. Chloe Sturgeon connected on two triples and finished with 8 points off the bench…

February 23, 2018

Panthers Fall To ‘Quip In WPIAL Quarterfinals On Buzzer Beater

In a tightly contest, third meeting between Riverside and Aliquippa Thursday night, a nearly half-court buzzer beating 3-pointer by Will Gipson found the bottom of the net and bounced the Panthers out of the playoffs by way of a 53-50 defeat. Riverside battled the ‘Quips to a 50-all tie late in the contest and used a defensive stop with under 10 seconds to go, but the Panthers block and ensuing loose ball left Austin Dambach only a heave of the ball toward the basket on the opposite end. According to a report, the ball never made it, as it hit some…

February 22, 2018

Lady Panthers Fall To Seton LaSalle In WPIAL Playoffs

The Riverside Girls Basketball team fell to Seton LaSalle Rebels 50-48 in their first round of the WPIAL Class 3A basketball playoffs Wednesday at North Hills High School. After a Rebel missed free throw with 6 seconds left, the Lady Panthers hurried to get a final shot off that misfired. Lauren Bettencourt sparked Riverside with 17 points in the contest including a 3-pointer with 10.1 seconds left that pulled the Panthers within the two point margin. Marley Wolf finished with a team-high 19 points in defeat for Riverside.  Senior Sydney Wolf was held in check, finished the contest with seven…