The Malone College baseball team seems to be peaking at the right time. With just six games left on the season, the Pioneers are riding a 13-game winning streak and look to wrap up the American Mideast Conference this weekend in a doubleheader at Mount Vernon Nazarene.

The Pioneers are 33-9 and ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. They won the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I Championship in 2006.

The roster is peppered with plenty of local players like Chris Mandeville (Tuslaw), Zach Winkhart (Canton Central Catholic), Ryan Baechel (Glen  Oak), Adam Boudler (louisville) and Zac Barson (Canton South) just to name a few. Here is the complete roster and here is complete statistics for the season.

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

Kenny Frease of Perry and Brittany Orban of North Canton Hoover are among the standouts who who showcase their talents at this year’s Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association annual Boys and Girls All Star Games.

Four games will be played April 20 at Capital University in suburban Columbus, beginning with Division III-IV girls at noon. Caitlin Sharp of East Canton and Chelsea Fazekas of Chippewa are on the North roster.

Orban, a Northwestern University recruit, will be on the North squad for the Division I-II game at 1:45.

Division III-IV boys will play at 3:45. Canton Central Catholic’s Nick Foster is on the North roster. Frease, who has signed with Xavier University, will play on the Division I-II North team at 5:30.

GlenOak’s Jackie Greynolds is part of the Division I-II North coaching staff.

On April 19, the OHSBCA will hold its hall of fame induction at the Columbus Airport Marriott hotel.

Honorees are coaches Dave Hoover (Canton McKinley), Dave Krauss (Patrick Henry), Dave Sweet (Ottawa-Glandorf) and Frank Phillips (ChagrinFalls) and honorary inductee, Clair Muscaro, a former commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
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The Canton Timken boys basketball team will play Toledo Whtimer tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Arena in a Division I regional championship game at the University of Akron.

The winner of tonight’s game advances to Columbus for the state final four at Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.

Timken, 24-0 this season, is seeking its first appearance in the state final four since 1960.

Timken and Whitmer have had to wait to play this game, orginally scheduled for Saturday, due to the heavy snowfall that recently hit Northeast Ohio.

Timken has defeated Massillon Washington, Jackson, Perry and Firestone so far in the tournament.

Senior guards Johnie Davis and Christian Alston and junior forward Chaz Moore led the Trojans past the Falcons this past Thursday.

If Timken wins the regional title it will mark the fifth consecutive season the Canton district winner will qualify for the state final four. GlenOak advanced to state in 2007 and Canton McKinley advanced to state in 2004, 2005 and 2006. McKinley won state titles in 2005 and 2006.

GlenOak basketball player C.J. McCollum scored a school-record 54 points to lead the host Golden Eagles to a 92-78 victory over North on Saturday night.

McCollum, a junior guard, made eight 3-pointers in the season opening game for both schools.

High School Football Playoff Schedule

Note: These are probable playoff matchups according to www.joeeitel.com and the matchups have changed several times on Saturday, which means they might be different on the website on Sunday. Official OHSAA playoff pairings will be released Monday.

Friday’s Games
(All games 7:30 p.m., unless noted)

Division II, Region 5
Firestone (7-3) at Tallmadge (9-1)

Division II, Region 7
Lake (7-3) at Louisville (8-2)

Division III, Region 9
Field (9-1) at Walsh Jesuit (8-1)
Cortland Lakeview (8-2) at Aurora (9-1)
Ravenna (8-2) at Mentor Lake Catholic (6-3)

Divison III, Region 11
Poland Seminary (7-3) at Northwest (10-0)
New Concord John Glenn (8-2) at West Branch (8-2)
Canton South (6-4) at Dover (7-3)

Divison V, Region 17
Northwestern (9-1) at Waynedale (8-2)

Saturday’s Games
(All games 7 p.m., unless noted)

Division I, Region 2
GlenOak (6-4) at Brunswick (10-0)
Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (6-4) at North Canton Hoover (8-2)
Perrysburg (8-2) at Nordonia (9-1)
Wadsworth (9-1) at Toledo Whitmer (8-2)

Division IV, Region 13
CVCA (9-1) at Stuebenville (10-0)
Tusky Valley (8-2) at Canton Central Catholic (9-1)
Lake Co. Perry (9-1) at St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-2)

Division VI, Region 21
Columbiana (7-3) at Mogadore (9-1)

Football

GlenOak 7, North Canton Hoover 6

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: GlenOak senior running back Anthony Smith. Smith carried the ball 36 times for 145 yards to help the Golden Eagles keep drives alive, run the clock and limit the number of possessions that Hoover’s high-powered offense received.

GlenOak improved to 5-2, 2-2 in the Federal League. Hoover fell to 5-2, 3-1 in the Federal League.

“He’s our guy,” GlenOak coach Scott Garcia said. “He’s the guy that we’ve been riding all year long. And we said, ‘If we’re going to have any success, we have to let Anthony carry the load.’ He did that for us tonight.”

Here is a preseason look at Federal League football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (that received all-star recognition in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

*** Please note that the 2007 High School Football Preview Section will appear in the Wednesday Aug. 22, 2007 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal with complete analysis of every league, team and top players in the area. ***

CANTON MCKINLEY (12-2 overall, 7-0 in the Federal League last season; Federal League champions)

Top players: Senior DB-WR Brandon Mingo (first-team Federal), senior OL-DE Sean Whited (first-team), senior DL-OL Isaac Gatlin (second-team), junior DB-RB Derrick Gordon (honorable mention).

PERRY (9-2, 6-1)

Top players: Senior TB-DB Eric Magnacca (first-team Federal, second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I), senior QB-OLB Matt Vick (first-team Federal), senior TE-DL David Baughman (second-team), senior OT-DE Doug Elliot (honorable mention).

NORTH CANTON HOOVER (7-3, 4-3)

Top players: Senior WR-DB Matt Wakulchik (first-team Federal, second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I), senior LB Kevin Dahl (second-team), senior DL James Georgiades (second team), senior DE Greg Tischler (honorable mention).

JACKSON (5-5, 4-3)

Top player: Senior TB-DB Carlin Isles (first-team Federal).

LAKE (7-5, 3-4)

Top player: Senior FB-LB Matt Higginbotham (honorable mention all-Federal).

AUSTINTOWN FITCH (4-6, 2-5)

Top player: Senior RB-DB Nick Wiery (honorable mention all-Federal).

BOARDMAN (3-7, 1-6)

Top players: Senior HB-CB Tyler Amdendola (second-team Federal), senior FB-OLB Eric Polen (honorable mention).

GLENOAK (3-7, 1-6)

Top player: Senior RB-S Anthony Smith (honorable mention all-Federal).

Here is my predicted finish for the Federal League (which is the same as the Federal League coaches predictions at media day):

1. Canton McKinley

2. Perry

3. North Canton Hoover

4. Boardman

5. Lake

6. Austintown Fitch

7. Jackson

8. GlenOak

Here is an explanation for my predictions:

I think tradition and talent will again lift Canton McKinley to another Federal League championship under coach Brian Cross. The Bulldogs will be seeking their third consecutive league title after reaching the Division I state final four last season.

The “Pups” will have a solid defensive secondary with Mingo, Gordon and senior Tremaine O’Neal. Whited will lead a young offensive line. Inexperienced players will line up on both lines, and also at running back, quarterback, receiver and linebacker. McKinley must replace tailback Morgan Williams, linebackers Disi Alexander and George Tabron, kicker Zack Campbell, center Drew McIntyre and quarterback Dan Grimsley. Replacing that collection of graduated stars could prove to be too much, opening the door for Perry or Hoover.

Perry, which was runner-up last season in the league, returns a solid tailback and quarterback combination in Magnacca and Vick. Magnacca is powerful and fast, two attributes that will strike fear in any defense. The Panthers have 24 lettermen back from a season ago and are poised to challenge for the title under coach John “Spider” Miller.

Hoover’s defense should be excellent with Dahl, Georgiades, Tischler and senior Mitch Rose under the tutelage coach Don Hertler Jr. The Vikings offense could be explosive with Wakulchik catching passes from senior quarterback Jared Wackerly.

Boardman should rise up the Federal standings with 22 lettermen returning. Spartans coach D.J. Ogilvie is very high on Amendola, Polen and seniors Evan Klepec and Nick Tuminello.

Lake could surprise with seven starters back on offense and six back on defense. Higginbotham and senior Gene Onabiyi should lead under coach Jeff Durbin.

Fitch, Jackson and GlenOak will each have new coaches. The Falcons will be guided by Phil Annarella, the Polar Bears have Thom McDaniels in charge and the Golden Eagles hired GlenOak alumnus Scott Garcia. Annarella and McDaniels are experienced leaders, and Garcia is entering his first season as a head coach.

Isles gives Jackson a game-breaking running back with tremendous speed. Add in McDaniels success as coach at Canton McKinley and Warren Harding, and the Polar Bears could challenge the top three teams in the league — McKinley, Perry and Hoover.

Let me know what do you think of these predictions?

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

The Canton South and Minerva baseball teams each won Division II district semifinal games Thursday at GlenOak High School.

The teams advance to a 4 p.m. final at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium on Friday.

South defeated Northeastern Buckeye Conference rival Alliance 3-2. The Wildcats (20-7) earned redemption after losing to the Aviators (24-5) twice in the regular season.  South senior pitcher Justin Gill pitched a complete-game and struck out eight to earn the win. Gill now has 27 career victories, most in school history.

Joe Dubina paced the South offense with a home run and double. Dan Hoffman hit a two-run single in the sixth to score Devon Torrence and pinch-runner Jared Grigsby.

Minerva beat Louisville 2-0 behind pitcher Richie Walter’s complete-game and timely hitting.

Scott Shields hit an RBI double and Zack Bowman had an RBI single to give Minerva a 2-0 lead after one inning.

The Lions (8-21) are an example of a team that got hot at towards the end of the season after a miserable start. The Leopards are now 16-13.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

The Federal League held its track and field championships Friday night at Austintown Fitch and the Isles siblings from Jackson showed their sprinting ability is among the best in the area.

Carlin Isles, a junior, won the 100 meters in 11.07 seconds, the 200 in 22.36 and the 400 in 49.12. He also placed second in the long jump (21-feet-5.25-inches). Tambra Isles won the 100 (12.77) and the 200 (25.96).

Boardman won the boys title and GlenOak won the girls crown.

The GlenOak girls received individual first places from freshman Emily Mazzaferri (800) and senior Dejaa Shearer (300 hurdles). Mazzaferri was also the anchor for the 1,600 relay and the 3,200 relay. Jessica Dunkle, Jasmyn Hawkin and Stephanie Noussias were on the 1,600 relay and Jillian Black, Noussias and Stacie Clagg were on the 3,200 relay.

Perry was second on the boys side, with Josh Tormasi (1,600) and Andrew Klecan (pole vault) taking titles. The Panthers 3,200 relay, comprised of Corwin Swint, J.D. Horton, Tormasi and Tyler Griffin.

Canton McKinley and GlenOak rounded out the top four boys teams.

McKinley’s Andy Moore (300 hurdles) and Monterea Williams (long jump) won titles. The Bulldogs had three winning sprint relay units; the 400 (Tremaine O’Neal, Williams, Derick Graham, Alaun Morrow), the 800 (O’Neal, Moore, Graham, Morrow) and the 1,600 (Pierre Cheek, Moore, Morrow, Dermaine Hinton).

The Jackson girls were second, with Courtney Armsey (100 hurdles), Emily Pritt (1,600) and Hallie Busta (3,200) winning titles.

North Canton Hoover and Boardman were third and fourth respectively in the girls meet.