Category: Sports

Carrollton cross country runners Rick Sibila and Kylie Ujcich notched second place finishes at the Dover Invitational Saturday, both finishing behind runners from the host school. Luke Jones of Dover won the large school boys race with a time of 17 minutes with Sibila right behind at 17:08. There were 95 runners in the race. In the large school girls race, Dover’s Sydney Stevenson clocked a time of 20:54 for

By Carol McIntire Editor Senior quarterback Jacob Whitmore accounted for all three Carrollton touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Howland Friday night at Warren. The win improved the Warriors to 2-2 on the season and offered the team its first look at the Tigers, who will join the Eastern Buckeye Conference for football only in the 2026 season. Whitmore used his legs and arm to lead the Warriors to the

By Carol McIntire Editor The teacher and his student met on the football field Friday night at Malvern. The teacher, Matt Chiurco, head coach of the Malvern Hornets. The student, Jeremy Taylor, new head coach of the Tusky Valley Trojans, who served as the defensive coordinator for the Hornets last year.  Chiurco used the football field as his blackboard to lay out a game plan clicked on all cylinders and

Malvern put all its points on the board in the first half Friday in a non-conference contest with the Harrison Central Huskies and held off the hosts for a 38-28 victory. Hornet quarterback Jared Witherow and wide receiver Rodney Smith accounted for three of the team’s five touchdowns.  The 6-5, 190 lb. senior Witherow connected with Smith, a 6-2, 170 lb. senior, for two first-quarter scores, a 36-yarder and the

Carrollton battled back from a 3-1 halftime deficit to tie Marlington 3-3 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference opener Sept. 4 at Community Field. The Lady Dukes struck first when senior Anastasia Vitale sent the ball into the corner of the net at the 28:44 mark of the first. The Warriors went right to work and almost exactly three minutes later, Chelsea Pesta put the Warriors on the board with an

By Carol McIntireEditorArea cross country runners found success at the Mark Albaugh Early Bird Invitational Aug. 24 at Claymont High School.The Sandy Valley girls won the small school girls team race, Carrollton senior Ricky Sibila captured the top spot in the large school boys race, the Carrollton girls team placed third in the large school girls race, the boys team fourth and several runners earned individual medals.Sibila (16:09) put 14

By Carol McIntire, Editor Conotton Valley picked the Malvern defense apart for 278 yards through the air and gave the Hornets a scare Friday on the Rockets’ home field. Malvern won 35-20 on the field by putting points on the board, but on paper, the Rockets won the battle for total yards 297-280 and passing yards 278-95. Malvern found success on the ground, piling up 185 yards on 44 carries

By Carol McIntire, Editor Carrollton Coach Storm Hill made no excuses for his Warriors after they lost a non-league contest to Triway Friday at Community Field. “I liked our game plan, but I think we just missed some opportunities,” Hill said after team suffered a 26-7 loss to the Titans. “I have to make sure we are better prepared whenever they do certain things on the field to make plays.”

By Dan Ries CCM Reporter The Carrollton Warriors came from behind twice to defeat the East Liverpool Potters 20-13 Friday night at Patterson Field, giving Storm Hill a victory in his first game as the Warriors’ head coach. The sun beat down on the stadium crowd, warming the cool breeze coming off the Ohio River as fans on both sides poured in to see the two teams meet for only

By Carol McIntire Editor Malvern Coach Matt Chiurco was excited to get the first win of the season out of the way Aug. 23 at home against a new opponent -Youngstown Valley Christian. “It’s always good to get  a win week 1,” Chiurco said after his Hornets defeated the visiting Eagles 36-16. “That was a relief. Now we can just go play.”  The Hornets went into the game knowing they were

Minerva Local will return to classes Aug. 21, but the Lady Lions have been schooling their opponents on the golf course all summer, building a 14-0 record before the first school bell rings.  This past week they went 7-0, 2-0 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. They started the week Aug. 12 hosting Northwest and Canton South at Great Trail and captured two wins, defeating Northwest 190-202 and Canton South 190-208.

Five individuals and one team will join the Carrollton High School Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony Aug. 31 in the high school Performing Arts Center.  Individuals include John Sharp, class of 1954; Jeff Fox, class of 1975; Jamie Reed, class of 1977; Jake Smethers, class of 1991; and Ethan Naylor, class of 2008.  The 2001 girls cross country team, coached by Kevin and Mark Spears, will also enter

A new “Storm” is brewing at Community Field this year as Storm Hill takes over the reins of the Carrollton Warriors football team, replacing Jim Tsilmos, who stepped down after five years at the helm. The Warriors reached the playoffs the last four years under Tsilimos. The road to the playoffs will be tougher for the Warriors this year as they moved up to Division III, Region 11 this year

Carrollton kicked off the 2024 varsity boys golf season Aug. 1 at Carroll Meadows with a win. The Warriors topped Eastern Buckeye Conference foe Alliance 167-203, placed by Bryce Lonca with a 41. Bryce Taylor and Michael Mullen both carded 41s followed by Everett Brooks with a 45. The team took to the road for the Pirate Invitational Aug. 5 and Indian Valley Invitational Aug. 7. Hoover topped a field

Francesco Borsellino has been selected as the new wrestling coach at Malvern High School. He will officially be hired at the Malvern Board of Education meeting Aug. 19. Borsellino is a 2017 graduate of Sandy Valley High School. He earned bachelor’s degree in Social Work from West Liberty University in 2022 and a master’s degree in Business Administration from West Liberty University in 2024. He will also serve as a full-time

 Carrollton, Malvern, Southern Local and New Philadelphia high school football teams converged on Community Field in Carrollton for 7-on-7 play July 11. The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced in April football 7-on-7 competition will now be permitted at any time prior to and after the season, other than the 28-day no-contact period immediately after the season. Previously, 7-on-7 competition was not permitted until May 15. Full practice and hitting

By Carol McIntire Editor A veteran teacher and coach is set to begin his duties as Carrollton’s next athletic director. The board of education approved the hiring of Eric McCort at the June 29 meeting to replace Caleb Crowl, who resigned earlier in the month.  McCort completed his 22nd year of coaching in May. He taught physical education and weight training and most recently algebra and 8th grade math.   He

Southern Local High School’s Wigwam Stadium will have a fresh look when the Indians kick off the football season this fall as officials improve its surface and lighting. Superintendent Tom Cunningham said work wrapped up on an estimated $518,906 turf replacement project and new material was purchased from FieldTurf, which has companies across North America including Buckeye Lake. Officials said the sod was of a higher quality and the stadium

2024 Malvern High School graduate Ethan Bush was named the Outstanding Defensive Player at the Ohio High School Coaches Association (OHSBCA) All-Ohio Senior All Star game last week.  The game was played at the home of the The Ohio State University baseball team, Bill Davis Stadium, which is named after a Carrollton High School graduate and longtime Ohio State athletic department employee. “Bush represented the Hornets with great pride, helping

Two Carrollton seniors earned first team All-Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) honors in spring sports.  Hayden Jenkins was a first team baseball pick and Maleyna Havens a first team softball selection. The two were recognized as first team selections during the recent Eastern Buckeye Conference Spring Sports Banquet held at Sebring. Jenkins was a standout pitcher for the Warriors who struck out 113 batters and ended his career with 221 strikeouts. 

Sandy Valley senior Lexi Tucci captured the Division III high jump state championship last weekend in Dayton.  The win comes a year after Tucci was forced to sit out with an injury. She jumped 5-feet, six-inches to win the title. She followed the fete up with a second place in the long jump with 18-8.75. She earned All-Ohio Status in both events.  The 18 points she put on the scoreboard

By Carol McIntire, Editor Malvern, Minerva and Sandy Valley all qualified athletes for the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state championships this week at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. The event was moved from Jesse Owens Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University for one year due to construction at the stadium Sandy Valley senior Lexi Tucci won both the high jump (5-feet, 4-inches) and the long jump

By Dan Ries CCM Sports Reporter The Indian Creek Redskins scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Carrollton Warriors 5-4 in the first round of district baseball action May 20 in Richmond.  The Redskins used three walks, a hit by pitch and a Warrior error to come from behind for the win. The game featured five lead changes. It was the second time

By Carol McIntire Editor Ricky Sibila, II and Coach Mike Aukerman had a goal and a plan to reach that goal heading into the Division II district track meet Friday at West Holmes. The Carrollton junior and his coach had their sights set on a win in the 3200M, a new district record and had a plan in place to achieve it.  Minerva junior Grasyn Rettig had a plan as

A 2018 Carrollton High School graduate has been recommended as the next head coach for the school’s girls basketball program. The Athletic Committee announced this morning Mikayla Poole will be recommended to the board of education. The hiring is expected to be on the June 11 school board agenda. Poole earned four varsity letters in girls basketball and three letters in girls volleyball while at CHS. As a sophomore, she

By Dan Ries Sports Reporter The Conotton Valley Lady Rockets are returning to District play after defeating Malvern and Shadyside in convincing fashion this past week to win the Division IV East District sectional softball title. Sophomore Madison Kelley threw her first career no hitter and the Rockets used an eight run third inning to defeat the Malvern Hornets 12-0 in the first round of the Division IV softball tournament

Conotton Valley won its fourth consecutive Ohio Valley Athletic Conference softball title with an 8-2 victory over the Weirton Madonna Blue Dons April 27.  Madi Kelley went 3-4 at the plate with a solo home run to left field and two singles.   Masy Baker struck out 15 batters, giving up two hits, tworuns, and 1 walk. The Rockets tallied 12 hits in the game, with Baker, Braxton Neilson, Kelley having

By Dan Ries Sports Reporter Carrollton senior Hayden Jenkins threw a five-inning no-hitter as the Warriors picked up a  10-0 victory over the Minerva Lions May 1 on Senior Night at Hensley Field.  The college-commit walked two batters while striking out 11, including six of the first seven batters he faced. It was the third no-hitter of his career.  The Warriors scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Garrett

By Dan RiesSports ReporterTrailing 3-0 to West Branch in the seventh inning with two outs, Landon James hit a walk-off, three-run home run to lift the Carrollton Warriors a 4-3 victory April 24 at Hensley Field. The win avenged a loss to West Branch the night before, evening the two-game series at 1-1.West Branch plated all three runs in the third inning. Nicholaus Conrad and Jake Whitmore walked to start

By Carol McIntire Editor Athletes from Carrollton, Malvern and East Canton won the top awards at the 9th annual Larry Cogan Invitational held April 25 at Community Field. Temperatures in the 70-degree range with sunshine set the stage for numerous runners to set personal best performances. The annual event, named for longtime Carrollton Coach Larry Cogan, also recognizes the accomplishments of Carrollton’s four track state champions: Cole Lovett, Maddie Dunlap,

By Dan Ries, Messenger Sports Reporter Nik Schweikert submitted his resigned as the Carrollton Warriors girls basketball and cross country head coach effective immediately. He has taken a similar position at a southern Georgia school. This past season, Schweikert lead the Warriors to their second Regional appearance in school history, finishing with a 21-6 record. Schweikert came to Carrollton in 2020 from Canton South as a physical education teacher and

The Minerva Lions softball team picked up the team’s third win in a row with a 7-3 win over Alliance April 15. In the hard-fought battle, the visiting Aviators scored a run in the top of the first with a double by Hendershot. The Lions matched the run in the bottom half of the inning when Sierra Cress sent a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall for a homerun

Byt Dan Ries Sports Reporter Hayden Jenkins threw six strong innings allowing just one run while striking out 12 as the Carrollton Warriors defeated Marlington 4-1 on April 18 at Hensley Field. Garrett Broadwater returned to the lineup for the Warriors following an injury to his knee in his first at bat of the season. Jenkins started the game by striking out the first batter on three straight pitches. The

By Dan Ries Sports Reporter The Carrollton Warriors scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning for a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Alliance Aviators  April 10 at Hensley Field with former Warrior Coach Curt Hensley in attendance. Alliance jumped out to a two-run lead in the top of the first.  A bunt attempt by the leadoff hitter resulted in a throwing error by the Warriors and the leadoff

By Dan Ries Sports Reporter Senior Maleyna Havens hit two two-run home runs but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Warriors lost a heartbreaking 8-7 softball game to the Marlington Dukes April 6 at Marlington. Juliaunna Miller led off the top of the first for the Warriors by hitting a double over the third baseman’s head. Marleigh Osolin followed by outrunning a bunt, advancing Miller to third. Kearsten Ball  then laid

Area athletes were among those who earned All-Ohio honors when the teams were announced last week by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. Leading the list of awards was Malvern in Division III. Coach Dennis Tucci was named the coach of the year and J’Allen Barrino, who was named as a finalist for the Ohio Mr. Basketball award, was named to the first team. The 6-2 senior averaged 18.6 points per

The Carrollton boys volleyball team improved to 2-1 on the young season with a victory over the Howland Tigers in four sets 24-26, 25-16, 30-28, 25-19 last week. In only their second season, the team already doubled their win total from last year. The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first set before Howland tied things up at 5-5. The Warriors had seven net violations in the

 By Carol McIntire Editor The tournament trail ended for the Malvern Hornets Saturday at Ohio University in the regional final, but it was one of the most successful seasons in school history.  The Hornets, who entered the game as the only undefeated team in the state of Ohio (27-0), battled the Columbus Harvest Prep Warriors through three quarters before the Prep pulled away for a 64-44 win and a

By Carol McIntire Editor What does a coach do when his top scorer is forced to sit on the bench for nearly a quarter in foul trouble? If you are the Malvern Hornets and Coach Dennis Tucci, you rely on another of your experienced plays to step up and take his place.  That was the scenario that played out March 13 when the Hornets faced McDermott Northwest Mohawks in a

Malvern senior J’Allen Barrino is among a list of nine finalists announced today for the 2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball Award. The winner will be announced next Wednesday, March 20. Barrino was named the Division III East District and Inter-Valley Conference North Division Player of the Year after leading the Hornets to a 22-0 regular season. He has played 59 career games at Malvern and the team has gone 56-3. His

By Carol McIntire Editor Carrollton senior Kail Snair’s second-place finish at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Boys and Girls Wrestling State Tournament topped a contingent of nine area wrestlers who earned podium spots. Joining Snair on the podium in Division II were senior teammates Josh Carman fourth; Landon Jenkins fifth; and Levi Pidgeon, sixth. Minerva junior Hunter Dietrich placed seventh. In Division III, Malvern junior Tyson Clear finished fourth

By Carol McIntireEditorMalvern Coach Dennis Tucci called his team’s latest district championship “a total team effort.”“Everyone did their job on both offense and defense,” the seasoned coach said after his team knocked off Martins Ferry 61-50 March 8 in the Claymont gym in the Division III East District championship game. It was the seventh district title for the school.“I am so proud of this team,” Tucci said. “The intensity they

The Malvern Hornets earned a spot in the Division III East District boys district championship game with a 66-50 win over Barnesville March 5 at Edison High School. Malvern will face the No. 3 seed, Martins Ferry, Friday (March 8) at 7 p.m. Malvern conceded the first five points of the game to the Shamrocks. After knotting the score at 5-5 midway through the period, Malvern gave up the lead

By Carol McIntire Carrollton Carrollton sophomore Kaylee Russell admits with hesitation bowling is not her favorite sport. In fact, the 16-year-old says it ranks third behind golf and throwing the shot and discus on the Warrior track team.  By watching the relatively newcomer to the bowling world perform at the Division II State Bowling Championships March 2 at H.P. Lanes in Columbus, one would have thought she was born with

By Carol McIntire, Editor Four Carrollton Warriors will continue their quest for a district wrestling championship tomorrow at Gallia Academy. Landon Jenkins (106 lbs.) Kail Snair (113), Levi Pidgeon (126) and Josh Carman (138) all won their first two matches of the Division II district tournament earlier tonight. They will wrestle in the semifinal round when wrestling resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m. Jenkins won both of his matches by pin(19

By Carol McIntire, Editor Four Carrollton Warriors will continue their quest for a district wrestling championship tomorrow at Gallia Academy. Landon Jenkins (106 lbs.) Kail Snair (113), Levi Pidgeon (126) and Josh Carman (138) all won their first two matches of the Division II district tournament earlier tonight. They will wrestle in the semifinal round when wrestling resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m. Jenkins won both of his matches by pin(19

By Carol McIntire Editor Carrollton won the Division II East District sectional wrestling title Feb. 24 at Claymont, crowned three champions and will send nearly the entire team to the district tournament next weekend at Gallia.  The Warriors won the team title with 212 points. Minerva finished a distant second with 184 and New Philadelphia third at 167 in the 10-team field.  Seniors Landon Jenkins (106 lbs.), Kail Snair (113)

By Dan Ries Sports Reporter   The Carrollton Lady Warriors are set to compete in the East District II district tournament for the second straight year. The Warriors secured the slot after defeating the New Philadelphia Quakers and the Maysville Panthers in sectional tournament action last week in the Carrollton gym. The two games couldn’t have been more different. Hillari Baker scored 29 points as the Warriors defeated the Quakers

By Carol McIntire Editor Carrollton and Conotton Valley teams swept the four qualifying slots from the Division  II East District for the state bowling championships during district action Feb. 22 at Coshocton.  Carrollton won the boys division and Conotton Valley placed second. Conotton Valley won the girls division and Carrollton placed second.  The teams will compete this weekend, March 1 and 2 at H.P.L. Bowling Center on the north side of