31
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU vs WSU
« on: January 15, 2022, 09:18:13 PM »
Give the team lots of credit pulling this one out at the end 90-87
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32
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU MBB
« on: September 28, 2021, 06:12:01 AM »
From today’s Tribune/Vindy on YSU MBB
Penguins begin preseason camp
LOCAL SPORTS
SEP 28, 2021
JOEL WHETZEL
Staff writer
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com
YOUNGSTOWN — After an offseason that featured plenty of change, but also one that was a bit more typical than last year, the Youngstown State men’s basketball team got its preseason practices underway Monday.
Nine new players — five transfers and four freshmen — join a Penguin team that finished 15-12 a season ago. YSU will be tasked with replacing its top two scorers from that squad, Naz Bohannon (16.5 points per game) and Darius Quisenberry (14.9 points per game).
So far, though, head coach Jerrod Calhoun says he likes what he sees.
“I think we’ve had a tremendous offseason, starting with recruiting,” he said. “We added four really good high school players, and then we’ve done a great job in the portal. We got (five) transfers that I think will have a big impact.”
The freshmen on this year’s roster are Luke Chicone (Mentor/Mentor, OH), Jacori Owens (Combine Academy/Charlotte, NC), Michael Lucarotti (Cathedral Prep and International Sports Academy/Erie, PA) and Josh Irwin (West Geauga/Mayfield Heights, OH).
From the portal, YSU added Tevin Olison (University of Cumberlands), Collen Gurley (Mount Union), Dwayne Cohill (Dayton), Chris Shelton (Hampton) and Owen Long (Marysville). Cohill is a former 4-star recruit.
Having a normal offseason in 2021, as compared to the stringent COVID-19 protocols of 2020, has helped the team come together and get the newcomers assimilated, Calhoun said.
“A summer ago, nobody was around, so it was very difficult,” he said, adding that YSU is a developmental program that improves its players over time.
“Summer months are really important, but I also think the team bonding aspect of it (is important). We’ve done paintballing activities, softball games, bowling, you name it. We’ve done a lot of activities to really connect this group.”
It certainly helps that the Penguins return three starters to this year’s roster, as well. Garrett Covington and Michael Akuchie are back with their fifth years of eligibility, while Shemar Rethan-Mayes returns as a sophomore.
Covington scored 12.5 points per game and pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game, while Akuchie led the team in rebounding with 8.3 per game and added 9.9 points per contest. Rethan-Mayes scored 10.4 points per game and had a team-high 85 assists.
“We have three starters coming back, so I like where we’re at. I think this will be one of our deeper teams,” Calhoun said. “We can play a lot of different guys, and we’re very skilled. The ball moves, and we can make shots.”
Calhoun said the returning players have told him this is the most connected roster they’ve been a part of.
“That’s a great sign,” Calhoun said.
The coach added that the team will rely on those three for leadership, and that Daniel Ogoro has stepped forward, too.
With those pieces in place, Calhoun says expectations for the program remain unchanged.
“Our ultimate goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament,” he said.
The path there won’t be easy, however. YSU’s nonconference slate features marquee matchups at Penn State (Nov. 10) and West Virginia (Dec. 22) in addition to what Calhoun says could be the strongest conference slate he’s seen since arriving in Youngstown.
“It’s a deep and talented league, but I like our team,” he said.
The coach also feels YSU has some momentum entering the 2021-2022 season.
“We’re coming off back-to-back winning seasons, so we have good momentum. We just have to maximize every day,” he said. “You can’t take days for granted. You have to try and get better every single day because those little wins every day will add up to some good, big things in the end for our guys.”
YSU opens its season with the aforementioned road trip to Penn State.
Penguins begin preseason camp
LOCAL SPORTS
SEP 28, 2021
JOEL WHETZEL
Staff writer
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com
YOUNGSTOWN — After an offseason that featured plenty of change, but also one that was a bit more typical than last year, the Youngstown State men’s basketball team got its preseason practices underway Monday.
Nine new players — five transfers and four freshmen — join a Penguin team that finished 15-12 a season ago. YSU will be tasked with replacing its top two scorers from that squad, Naz Bohannon (16.5 points per game) and Darius Quisenberry (14.9 points per game).
So far, though, head coach Jerrod Calhoun says he likes what he sees.
“I think we’ve had a tremendous offseason, starting with recruiting,” he said. “We added four really good high school players, and then we’ve done a great job in the portal. We got (five) transfers that I think will have a big impact.”
The freshmen on this year’s roster are Luke Chicone (Mentor/Mentor, OH), Jacori Owens (Combine Academy/Charlotte, NC), Michael Lucarotti (Cathedral Prep and International Sports Academy/Erie, PA) and Josh Irwin (West Geauga/Mayfield Heights, OH).
From the portal, YSU added Tevin Olison (University of Cumberlands), Collen Gurley (Mount Union), Dwayne Cohill (Dayton), Chris Shelton (Hampton) and Owen Long (Marysville). Cohill is a former 4-star recruit.
Having a normal offseason in 2021, as compared to the stringent COVID-19 protocols of 2020, has helped the team come together and get the newcomers assimilated, Calhoun said.
“A summer ago, nobody was around, so it was very difficult,” he said, adding that YSU is a developmental program that improves its players over time.
“Summer months are really important, but I also think the team bonding aspect of it (is important). We’ve done paintballing activities, softball games, bowling, you name it. We’ve done a lot of activities to really connect this group.”
It certainly helps that the Penguins return three starters to this year’s roster, as well. Garrett Covington and Michael Akuchie are back with their fifth years of eligibility, while Shemar Rethan-Mayes returns as a sophomore.
Covington scored 12.5 points per game and pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game, while Akuchie led the team in rebounding with 8.3 per game and added 9.9 points per contest. Rethan-Mayes scored 10.4 points per game and had a team-high 85 assists.
“We have three starters coming back, so I like where we’re at. I think this will be one of our deeper teams,” Calhoun said. “We can play a lot of different guys, and we’re very skilled. The ball moves, and we can make shots.”
Calhoun said the returning players have told him this is the most connected roster they’ve been a part of.
“That’s a great sign,” Calhoun said.
The coach added that the team will rely on those three for leadership, and that Daniel Ogoro has stepped forward, too.
With those pieces in place, Calhoun says expectations for the program remain unchanged.
“Our ultimate goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament,” he said.
The path there won’t be easy, however. YSU’s nonconference slate features marquee matchups at Penn State (Nov. 10) and West Virginia (Dec. 22) in addition to what Calhoun says could be the strongest conference slate he’s seen since arriving in Youngstown.
“It’s a deep and talented league, but I like our team,” he said.
The coach also feels YSU has some momentum entering the 2021-2022 season.
“We’re coming off back-to-back winning seasons, so we have good momentum. We just have to maximize every day,” he said. “You can’t take days for granted. You have to try and get better every single day because those little wins every day will add up to some good, big things in the end for our guys.”
YSU opens its season with the aforementioned road trip to Penn State.
33
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU SIU game day
« on: March 06, 2021, 12:19:09 PM »
YSU leads 6-0 scoring TD on opening drive. PAT missed.
Keep Waid in the game please.
Keep Waid in the game please.
34
YSU Penguin Athletics / MBB YSU over PFE 72-70
« on: February 13, 2021, 07:41:16 PM »
Pull this one out, barely.
Up one point with less than 5 sec to go, Mayes missed the front end of the one and one.
The ball bounced back to DQ who was fouled with 1.2 sec. he made the first and missed the second one (intentionally). PFW didn’t get off a good shot.
YSU won by 2.
Up one point with less than 5 sec to go, Mayes missed the front end of the one and one.
The ball bounced back to DQ who was fouled with 1.2 sec. he made the first and missed the second one (intentionally). PFW didn’t get off a good shot.
YSU won by 2.
35
YSU Penguin Athletics / MBB win over PFW 84-70
« on: February 13, 2021, 06:12:10 AM »
From today’s Tribune/Vindy:
Penguins put it together in easy win
YSU SPORTS
FEB 13, 2021
ROBERT HAYES
Correspondent
sports@tribtoday.com
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes -- YSU senior Michael Akuchie snags a defensive rebound during the first half of YSU’s 84-70 win over PFW. He led the Penguins with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
YOUNGSTOWN — For Youngstown State, it was the ideal type of game it envisioned all season.
Defense, effective use of the 3-pointer and multiple players in double figures scoring-wise. Injuries and erratic shooting beyond the arc have loomed over the Penguins for much of the season.
Now, with a mostly healthy roster, the Penguins gave a glimpse Friday evening of what their potential is with an 84-70 win over Horizon League newcomer Purdue Fort Wayne on the front end of a back-to-back.
“We looked like a pretty good basketball team throughout this game,” coach Jerrod Calhoun said following the win. “We did have some lulls. We’ve got to get more consistent balance on our bench, we’ve got to have these guys ready to go because they’re going to play a huge role down the stretch. Most of those guys are young.
“But I thought we locked in defensively, we shot the ball well. I thought our ball pressure was very good, our trapping was very good.”
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes -- YSU senior Garrett Covington shoots and score on a three, he added 18 points.
Part of the Penguins’ success was their ability to shoot the ball from deep, above their season average of 29.6 percent. Freshman Shemar Rathan-Mayes nailed a 3 on the left wing early in the first half to score the first of 11 made 3s for the Penguins.
After Geoff Hamperian saw a layup attempt blocked by PFW’s Demetric Horton, Jalon Pipkins took a feed from Jarred Godfrey and performed a reverse dunk on the south end of the Beeghly Center to give the Mastodons a 12-11 lead — but it was the final time YSU trailed in the contest.
YSU senior Michael Akuchie netted a 3 with 11:47 to go before halftime to give the Penguins a 14-12 edge, then sank another trey from distance moments later to quickly bump the lead to five.
Akuchie, who came in averaging 10 points and eight rebounds a game, recorded 16 and 10 at halftime for his sixth double-double of the campaign. The Penguins took a 40-32 lead into halftime, YSU’s biggest halftime lead since owning a nine-point advantage over UIC on Jan. 23.
On the flip side of the coin, Purdue Fort Wayne ended the game shooting just 6-for-23 from deep for 26.1 percent, well below their normal 40.4 percent, which is third best in the nation.
“They have spent 52 days in isolation, in quarantine, it’s got to be the most of any team in our conference.” Calhoun said. “Jon Coffman is a great coach, not a good coach, a great coach. He’s done an unbelievable job there, you can just tell how dangerous they are on film.
“So, we really wanted to make them earn baskets, and I thought for the most part we did a pretty good job of that.”
Godfrey tallied a game-high 25 for PFW (6-12, 5-12), and averages 16 points a game. The 6-foot-5 guard shows tons of athletic ability, and stopping him on Saturday evening will require adjustments.
“Really, really long arms, can shoot it off the bounce, can drive the ball, we’ve probably got to try to deny him,” Calhoun said. “We’ve probably got to try and get the ball out of his hands, because I think when he gets it, he’s such a smart player, a heady player.”
Senior Garrett Covington was effective for YSU, scoring 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, with fellow senior Naz Bohannon tallying 14 and junior Darius Quisberry, along with Rathan-Mayes, adding 13.
A few weeks ago, Calhoun worked out a contract extension with YSU, signing him through the 2024-25 school year. He’s 50-69 in his fourth season, and led the Penguins to a bid in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament last season before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I like all of our players, I enjoy coaching them, we’re trying to build this into something, and in order to do that you got to have a little continuity and have a contract, so that you know with the next recruiting class, you’re going to be here, and get to work with these kids,” he said. “So, I cannot thank our administration enough, and our fan base.
“This is the kind of a community that I thrive in, where everybody kind of knows each other. Hard-working people, we have each other’s backs, the Penguins really mean something to this city, this is where I wanted to be, and I want to be here.”
YSU (12-10) looks to go for a weekend sweep over the Mastodons this evening with a 5p.m. tip-off in the Beeghly Center.
Penguins put it together in easy win
YSU SPORTS
FEB 13, 2021
ROBERT HAYES
Correspondent
sports@tribtoday.com
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes -- YSU senior Michael Akuchie snags a defensive rebound during the first half of YSU’s 84-70 win over PFW. He led the Penguins with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
YOUNGSTOWN — For Youngstown State, it was the ideal type of game it envisioned all season.
Defense, effective use of the 3-pointer and multiple players in double figures scoring-wise. Injuries and erratic shooting beyond the arc have loomed over the Penguins for much of the season.
Now, with a mostly healthy roster, the Penguins gave a glimpse Friday evening of what their potential is with an 84-70 win over Horizon League newcomer Purdue Fort Wayne on the front end of a back-to-back.
“We looked like a pretty good basketball team throughout this game,” coach Jerrod Calhoun said following the win. “We did have some lulls. We’ve got to get more consistent balance on our bench, we’ve got to have these guys ready to go because they’re going to play a huge role down the stretch. Most of those guys are young.
“But I thought we locked in defensively, we shot the ball well. I thought our ball pressure was very good, our trapping was very good.”
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes -- YSU senior Garrett Covington shoots and score on a three, he added 18 points.
Part of the Penguins’ success was their ability to shoot the ball from deep, above their season average of 29.6 percent. Freshman Shemar Rathan-Mayes nailed a 3 on the left wing early in the first half to score the first of 11 made 3s for the Penguins.
After Geoff Hamperian saw a layup attempt blocked by PFW’s Demetric Horton, Jalon Pipkins took a feed from Jarred Godfrey and performed a reverse dunk on the south end of the Beeghly Center to give the Mastodons a 12-11 lead — but it was the final time YSU trailed in the contest.
YSU senior Michael Akuchie netted a 3 with 11:47 to go before halftime to give the Penguins a 14-12 edge, then sank another trey from distance moments later to quickly bump the lead to five.
Akuchie, who came in averaging 10 points and eight rebounds a game, recorded 16 and 10 at halftime for his sixth double-double of the campaign. The Penguins took a 40-32 lead into halftime, YSU’s biggest halftime lead since owning a nine-point advantage over UIC on Jan. 23.
On the flip side of the coin, Purdue Fort Wayne ended the game shooting just 6-for-23 from deep for 26.1 percent, well below their normal 40.4 percent, which is third best in the nation.
“They have spent 52 days in isolation, in quarantine, it’s got to be the most of any team in our conference.” Calhoun said. “Jon Coffman is a great coach, not a good coach, a great coach. He’s done an unbelievable job there, you can just tell how dangerous they are on film.
“So, we really wanted to make them earn baskets, and I thought for the most part we did a pretty good job of that.”
Godfrey tallied a game-high 25 for PFW (6-12, 5-12), and averages 16 points a game. The 6-foot-5 guard shows tons of athletic ability, and stopping him on Saturday evening will require adjustments.
“Really, really long arms, can shoot it off the bounce, can drive the ball, we’ve probably got to try to deny him,” Calhoun said. “We’ve probably got to try and get the ball out of his hands, because I think when he gets it, he’s such a smart player, a heady player.”
Senior Garrett Covington was effective for YSU, scoring 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, with fellow senior Naz Bohannon tallying 14 and junior Darius Quisberry, along with Rathan-Mayes, adding 13.
A few weeks ago, Calhoun worked out a contract extension with YSU, signing him through the 2024-25 school year. He’s 50-69 in his fourth season, and led the Penguins to a bid in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament last season before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I like all of our players, I enjoy coaching them, we’re trying to build this into something, and in order to do that you got to have a little continuity and have a contract, so that you know with the next recruiting class, you’re going to be here, and get to work with these kids,” he said. “So, I cannot thank our administration enough, and our fan base.
“This is the kind of a community that I thrive in, where everybody kind of knows each other. Hard-working people, we have each other’s backs, the Penguins really mean something to this city, this is where I wanted to be, and I want to be here.”
YSU (12-10) looks to go for a weekend sweep over the Mastodons this evening with a 5p.m. tip-off in the Beeghly Center.
36
YSU Penguin Athletics / MBB
« on: October 27, 2020, 08:29:55 AM »
From today’s Tribune/Vindy on YSU MBB:
Calhoun, Penguins have high hopes
LOCAL SPORTS
OCT 27, 2020
GREG GULAS
Correspondent
sports@tribtoday.com
BEAVER TOWNSHIP — The 2020-21 basketball season marks the 92nd intercollegiate campaign for Youngstown State University.
As the 13th head coach in the school’s cage history, Jerrod Calhoun is one of just two head coaches to sports a double-figure improvement between his first and third seasons, the other being Dan Peters who improved 13 games from his first year when he went 5-21 in 1993-94, following that up with an 18-10 ledger the following year.
Calhoun still feels this year’s team, despite a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that cancelled their CIT tournament bid last March and affected programs nationwide, can be something special.
“It has been a lot of hard work for a lot of people but the original class of Michael Akuchie, Naz Bohannon and Garrett Covington have been the catalysts from year No. 1 to year No. 4,” Calhoun told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “You then go to each class and obviously getting a guy like Darius Quisenberry was huge. It’s neat to see those guys grow, both on and off the court and I’m excited about taking an even bigger step this year.”
Calhoun said having last year’s season end so abruptly left everyone with an unfulfilled feeling.
“Initially, when our season ended and we didn’t get to play in the CIT, I think we were all devastated,” he added. “We didn’t get to fulfill what we worked so hard for and that was to play in a post-season tournament.
“We were set to host a couple games but our seniors didn’t get the opportunity to finish their careers like they had planned. Once the anger went away, we understood that we were in a global pandemic, that there was a lot going on around the country so our focus shifted to the players and their safety, how we could help them and get through these difficult times. There were a lot of zoom calls, multiple guest speakers and just connecting with them to make sure they were doing alright mentally since everyone was so isolated. We weren’t around each other and that’s just not normal for a team.”
Like their female counterparts, this year’s schedule will have its challenges.
“The Horizon League has decided on a back-to-back setting, whether that’s Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday. That’s this year’s format,” Calhoun stated. “You won’t have the traditional schedule where you play a team at home then on the road.
“It’s going to be split right in half. You’ll play 20 games with 10 on the road in a back-to-back setting with the other 10 here in a home-and-home setting. Just the overall back-to-backs will be different, the way you’ll strategize and game-plan throughout the week will be so much different because you are playing 80 minutes of basketball in a very short period of time.”
The Penguins’ non-league schedule includes their hosting a tournament on Dom Rosselli Court.
“The non-league schedule we’re still working through but we’re fortunate in that we are set to host a tournament from November 27-29,” he noted. “We have West Virginia on Dec. 2. Other than those four games, we’re still working through the final three games.”
This year’s Penguins’ squad features eight upperclass leaders, which includes six seniors, two juniors and then eight freshmen.
The NCAA gave winter sports athletes another year of eligibility, giving them the chance return for the 2021-22 season.
“What we’ve got to figure out at the end of the year, probably not any time sooner, is what guys will decide to come back. In a perfect world, we’d have our entire team back because I think they could be very special,” Calhoun said. “I think that’s how you get good because you get a little bit older and guys gain experience. We’ve had those initial conversations with our six seniors.
“You always have to start with the seniors and try to explain to them the positives and the negatives of opting to come back next year. We’re continuing to recruit and already have a few commitments. I think the NCAA got it right because it will be different for every individual. Some guys might be ready to move on while some might want to come back. We’ll see how this plays out.”
YSU’s senior class includes Akuchie, Bohannon, Covington, Jamir Thomas, Christian Bentley and transfer Greyson Kelley while Quisenberry and Geoff Hamperian comprise the junior contingent.
“Naz has just become a total, complete player,” Calhoun said. “Pound for pound and inch for inch, he’s the best rebounder in the country in college basketball. He’s going to leave here with a chance to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds, which would make him the first player in YSU basketball history to accomplish that feat.
“Garrett is a two-time, Horizon League all-defensive team selection and is a lockdown defender. Michael has just continued to get better and is a big guy with the ability to make shots. Those three guys will be a huge key for us this season while Jamir showed flashes last year on the inside and is a very strong, physical post player. Christian is a combo-guard who also had a nice off-season while Greyson is a Division II transfer from Shaw University, a gym rat who averaged 20-plus points at the Division II level.”
Calhoun said Quisenberry has been dynamite since his arrival on campus.
“Darius went through the draft process last year which I think that was really good for him,” Calhoun stated. “He got to speak to those teams, they evaluated his game and he learned so much more about himself. He’s the one player who had access to a gym during this pandemic.
“Geoff does all the little things that give you extra possessions. He’s a great story, a kid who decided to walk on and earned big minutes last year. It just shows what you can accomplish when you work hard.”
The eight freshmen include local product Carson Ryan of Struthers High School, Shemar Rathan-Mayes, Alex Vargo, Myles Hunter, Will Dunn, Cheick Traore, Daniel Ogoro and Kenny Ganley.
Calhoun is looking forward to seeing the fans at the games.
“We are trying to get 900 fans into the Beeghly Center,” he stated. “I know that our athletic director, Ron Strollo, is working closely with local and state health officials and trying to get 15 percent of the capacity. They remain a big part of our success.”
Next Monday, Theresa Walton, newly hired YSU women’s lacrosse coach, will serve as guest speaker.
Calhoun, Penguins have high hopes
LOCAL SPORTS
OCT 27, 2020
GREG GULAS
Correspondent
sports@tribtoday.com
BEAVER TOWNSHIP — The 2020-21 basketball season marks the 92nd intercollegiate campaign for Youngstown State University.
As the 13th head coach in the school’s cage history, Jerrod Calhoun is one of just two head coaches to sports a double-figure improvement between his first and third seasons, the other being Dan Peters who improved 13 games from his first year when he went 5-21 in 1993-94, following that up with an 18-10 ledger the following year.
Calhoun still feels this year’s team, despite a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that cancelled their CIT tournament bid last March and affected programs nationwide, can be something special.
“It has been a lot of hard work for a lot of people but the original class of Michael Akuchie, Naz Bohannon and Garrett Covington have been the catalysts from year No. 1 to year No. 4,” Calhoun told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “You then go to each class and obviously getting a guy like Darius Quisenberry was huge. It’s neat to see those guys grow, both on and off the court and I’m excited about taking an even bigger step this year.”
Calhoun said having last year’s season end so abruptly left everyone with an unfulfilled feeling.
“Initially, when our season ended and we didn’t get to play in the CIT, I think we were all devastated,” he added. “We didn’t get to fulfill what we worked so hard for and that was to play in a post-season tournament.
“We were set to host a couple games but our seniors didn’t get the opportunity to finish their careers like they had planned. Once the anger went away, we understood that we were in a global pandemic, that there was a lot going on around the country so our focus shifted to the players and their safety, how we could help them and get through these difficult times. There were a lot of zoom calls, multiple guest speakers and just connecting with them to make sure they were doing alright mentally since everyone was so isolated. We weren’t around each other and that’s just not normal for a team.”
Like their female counterparts, this year’s schedule will have its challenges.
“The Horizon League has decided on a back-to-back setting, whether that’s Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday. That’s this year’s format,” Calhoun stated. “You won’t have the traditional schedule where you play a team at home then on the road.
“It’s going to be split right in half. You’ll play 20 games with 10 on the road in a back-to-back setting with the other 10 here in a home-and-home setting. Just the overall back-to-backs will be different, the way you’ll strategize and game-plan throughout the week will be so much different because you are playing 80 minutes of basketball in a very short period of time.”
The Penguins’ non-league schedule includes their hosting a tournament on Dom Rosselli Court.
“The non-league schedule we’re still working through but we’re fortunate in that we are set to host a tournament from November 27-29,” he noted. “We have West Virginia on Dec. 2. Other than those four games, we’re still working through the final three games.”
This year’s Penguins’ squad features eight upperclass leaders, which includes six seniors, two juniors and then eight freshmen.
The NCAA gave winter sports athletes another year of eligibility, giving them the chance return for the 2021-22 season.
“What we’ve got to figure out at the end of the year, probably not any time sooner, is what guys will decide to come back. In a perfect world, we’d have our entire team back because I think they could be very special,” Calhoun said. “I think that’s how you get good because you get a little bit older and guys gain experience. We’ve had those initial conversations with our six seniors.
“You always have to start with the seniors and try to explain to them the positives and the negatives of opting to come back next year. We’re continuing to recruit and already have a few commitments. I think the NCAA got it right because it will be different for every individual. Some guys might be ready to move on while some might want to come back. We’ll see how this plays out.”
YSU’s senior class includes Akuchie, Bohannon, Covington, Jamir Thomas, Christian Bentley and transfer Greyson Kelley while Quisenberry and Geoff Hamperian comprise the junior contingent.
“Naz has just become a total, complete player,” Calhoun said. “Pound for pound and inch for inch, he’s the best rebounder in the country in college basketball. He’s going to leave here with a chance to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds, which would make him the first player in YSU basketball history to accomplish that feat.
“Garrett is a two-time, Horizon League all-defensive team selection and is a lockdown defender. Michael has just continued to get better and is a big guy with the ability to make shots. Those three guys will be a huge key for us this season while Jamir showed flashes last year on the inside and is a very strong, physical post player. Christian is a combo-guard who also had a nice off-season while Greyson is a Division II transfer from Shaw University, a gym rat who averaged 20-plus points at the Division II level.”
Calhoun said Quisenberry has been dynamite since his arrival on campus.
“Darius went through the draft process last year which I think that was really good for him,” Calhoun stated. “He got to speak to those teams, they evaluated his game and he learned so much more about himself. He’s the one player who had access to a gym during this pandemic.
“Geoff does all the little things that give you extra possessions. He’s a great story, a kid who decided to walk on and earned big minutes last year. It just shows what you can accomplish when you work hard.”
The eight freshmen include local product Carson Ryan of Struthers High School, Shemar Rathan-Mayes, Alex Vargo, Myles Hunter, Will Dunn, Cheick Traore, Daniel Ogoro and Kenny Ganley.
Calhoun is looking forward to seeing the fans at the games.
“We are trying to get 900 fans into the Beeghly Center,” he stated. “I know that our athletic director, Ron Strollo, is working closely with local and state health officials and trying to get 15 percent of the capacity. They remain a big part of our success.”
Next Monday, Theresa Walton, newly hired YSU women’s lacrosse coach, will serve as guest speaker.
37
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU canceled 2020 football season
« on: August 18, 2020, 06:02:13 AM »
As r Penguins cancel fall football season
YSU SPORTS
AUG 18, 2020
From staff, wire reports
sports@tribtoday.com
YOUNGSTOWN — There will not be any fall football games for Youngstown State University.
The YSU Athletic Department announced on Monday that the football team will not participate in non-conference competition this fall.
In a statement, athletic director Ron Strollo said the department believes postponing fall competition was the best decision in regards to the health of the student-athletes.
“After much consideration, we have decided that it’s in the best interest of our football student-athletes and staff to not have competitions this fall,” Strollo said. “At this point in time, planning for a spring season is the right decision. We will work with our coaches and student-athletes to do our best to make that happen.”
While disappointed, this could be helpful for first-year head coach Doug Phillips.
The Penguins had only a couple weeks of spring practice before the pandemic and quarantine went into effect, leaving him with very little time to implement new schemes and get to know the players. Even though YSU will take “a break” from practicing for the time being, according to Phillips, they’ll still have some time to further their knowledge of the systems and build team camaraderie.
Strollo and Phillips both said they’re awaiting direction from the NCAA as to the guidelines and parameters for spring football preparation.
“We preach every day to thrive in all situations, so we will use our time this fall to work together to become a better football program,” Phillips said. “We will continue to support our student-athletes in everything, and our expectations for them to represent YSU in a positive manner on and off the field will not change.”
Youngstown State, and all Missouri Valley Football Conference schools, were given the option to play non-conference contests when the MVFC announced it was moving league games to the spring on Aug. 7. The Penguins were scheduled to play at Akron, and host Duquesne and Eastern Kentucky in September. The Akron contest was canceled on Aug. 8.
More information will be made available in the future for Penguins football season-ticket holders regarding options for the games moved to the spring. eported in today’s Vindy/Tribune:
YSU SPORTS
AUG 18, 2020
From staff, wire reports
sports@tribtoday.com
YOUNGSTOWN — There will not be any fall football games for Youngstown State University.
The YSU Athletic Department announced on Monday that the football team will not participate in non-conference competition this fall.
In a statement, athletic director Ron Strollo said the department believes postponing fall competition was the best decision in regards to the health of the student-athletes.
“After much consideration, we have decided that it’s in the best interest of our football student-athletes and staff to not have competitions this fall,” Strollo said. “At this point in time, planning for a spring season is the right decision. We will work with our coaches and student-athletes to do our best to make that happen.”
While disappointed, this could be helpful for first-year head coach Doug Phillips.
The Penguins had only a couple weeks of spring practice before the pandemic and quarantine went into effect, leaving him with very little time to implement new schemes and get to know the players. Even though YSU will take “a break” from practicing for the time being, according to Phillips, they’ll still have some time to further their knowledge of the systems and build team camaraderie.
Strollo and Phillips both said they’re awaiting direction from the NCAA as to the guidelines and parameters for spring football preparation.
“We preach every day to thrive in all situations, so we will use our time this fall to work together to become a better football program,” Phillips said. “We will continue to support our student-athletes in everything, and our expectations for them to represent YSU in a positive manner on and off the field will not change.”
Youngstown State, and all Missouri Valley Football Conference schools, were given the option to play non-conference contests when the MVFC announced it was moving league games to the spring on Aug. 7. The Penguins were scheduled to play at Akron, and host Duquesne and Eastern Kentucky in September. The Akron contest was canceled on Aug. 8.
More information will be made available in the future for Penguins football season-ticket holders regarding options for the games moved to the spring. eported in today’s Vindy/Tribune:
38
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU mbb- Q to return
« on: July 10, 2020, 05:24:15 AM »
YSU star will return
From today’s Tribune/Vindy:
YSU SPORTS
JUL 10, 2020
JOE SIMON
Sports Reporter
jsimon@tribtoday.com
Darius Quisenberry grabbed the inbounds pass, got a running start near the foul line with a quick cut toward the Oakland University bench to shake a defender.
Less than 7 seconds remaining with the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team trailing, 60-59.
Quisenberry went parallel to the team’s benches and started to power toward the basket. He never slowed down — going almost the length of the floor in 5 seconds. He flipped the ball to the rim as it precariously hung on and swished through. One-point lead.
Quisenberry came back with less than 2 seconds remaining and defended a 3-point attempt, not allowing the shooter to get off a shot. Game over.
Quisenberry had the knack for late-game theatrics in his sophomore year.
In early April, he declared for the NBA Draft, spending the last couple of months getting feedback from NBA teams. Thursday, he said on his Instagram account he’ll return to YSU for his junior season.
The 6-foot-1 point guard was a first-team Horizon League selection and the team’s leading scorer at YSU.
Eighteen wins last season wasn’t enough for the Penguins.
“I have decided to withdraw my name form the 2020 NBA Draft and glad to say I am coming back for my junior year at Youngstown State,” Quisenberry said on his Instagram account. “I am excited for the upcoming season and the group we have right now. For my coaches and brothers, I’ll see y’all soon. And as for the community of Youngstown, I’ve got five words, ‘Let’s go win a championship!’ “
YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun said he’s happy for Quisenberry and his family. The NBA process gave the Penguins point guard some great information.
Calhoun is excited to see an important part of the 2020-21 YSU team return and make his teammates better.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how good he’s gotten,” Calhoun said. “I know he’s been working hard. I haven’t seen him in a long time. I’m excited to see what he’s going to be able to bring this year through this whole experience. Going through the whole NBA experience can only make you better.”
Calhoun said Quisenberry’s love of the game wears off on his teammates. He loves teaching his tenacious work ethic to newcomers. Dribble, pass or shoot, Quisenberry made the right decision, Calhoun said.
He’s an important piece of the puzzle as well as other returning starters and seniors — Michael Akuchie, Garrett Covington and Naz Bohannon.
“With those four starters back, we certainly know what we’re getting, where those guys are trying to go,” Calhoun said.
With Quisenberry returning, there’s more theatrics ahead — just as it was Jan. 9 against Oakland.
“How many times have we put the ball in his hands, late shot clock over and over in a pick-and-roll situation and he delivered?” Calhoun said. “I think all of those things are what we’re excited about him coming back. Getting him so much knowledge from that (NBA) experience will only make him so much better.
From today’s Tribune/Vindy:
YSU SPORTS
JUL 10, 2020
JOE SIMON
Sports Reporter
jsimon@tribtoday.com
Darius Quisenberry grabbed the inbounds pass, got a running start near the foul line with a quick cut toward the Oakland University bench to shake a defender.
Less than 7 seconds remaining with the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team trailing, 60-59.
Quisenberry went parallel to the team’s benches and started to power toward the basket. He never slowed down — going almost the length of the floor in 5 seconds. He flipped the ball to the rim as it precariously hung on and swished through. One-point lead.
Quisenberry came back with less than 2 seconds remaining and defended a 3-point attempt, not allowing the shooter to get off a shot. Game over.
Quisenberry had the knack for late-game theatrics in his sophomore year.
In early April, he declared for the NBA Draft, spending the last couple of months getting feedback from NBA teams. Thursday, he said on his Instagram account he’ll return to YSU for his junior season.
The 6-foot-1 point guard was a first-team Horizon League selection and the team’s leading scorer at YSU.
Eighteen wins last season wasn’t enough for the Penguins.
“I have decided to withdraw my name form the 2020 NBA Draft and glad to say I am coming back for my junior year at Youngstown State,” Quisenberry said on his Instagram account. “I am excited for the upcoming season and the group we have right now. For my coaches and brothers, I’ll see y’all soon. And as for the community of Youngstown, I’ve got five words, ‘Let’s go win a championship!’ “
YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun said he’s happy for Quisenberry and his family. The NBA process gave the Penguins point guard some great information.
Calhoun is excited to see an important part of the 2020-21 YSU team return and make his teammates better.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how good he’s gotten,” Calhoun said. “I know he’s been working hard. I haven’t seen him in a long time. I’m excited to see what he’s going to be able to bring this year through this whole experience. Going through the whole NBA experience can only make you better.”
Calhoun said Quisenberry’s love of the game wears off on his teammates. He loves teaching his tenacious work ethic to newcomers. Dribble, pass or shoot, Quisenberry made the right decision, Calhoun said.
He’s an important piece of the puzzle as well as other returning starters and seniors — Michael Akuchie, Garrett Covington and Naz Bohannon.
“With those four starters back, we certainly know what we’re getting, where those guys are trying to go,” Calhoun said.
With Quisenberry returning, there’s more theatrics ahead — just as it was Jan. 9 against Oakland.
“How many times have we put the ball in his hands, late shot clock over and over in a pick-and-roll situation and he delivered?” Calhoun said. “I think all of those things are what we’re excited about him coming back. Getting him so much knowledge from that (NBA) experience will only make him so much better.
39
YSU Penguin Athletics / Future of YSU sports
« on: May 18, 2020, 07:36:38 AM »
From today’s Vindy/Tribune:
https://www.tribtoday.com/sports/local-sports/2020/05/ysu-has-no-plans-to-eliminate-sports/
https://www.tribtoday.com/sports/local-sports/2020/05/ysu-has-no-plans-to-eliminate-sports/
40
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU lost to UIC at home
« on: January 31, 2020, 09:03:17 AM »
I was at the game. We practically gave that game away in the 3 mins. What a disappointment....
Poor decision making on the court by the players at the end did us in. Missing critical FT late in the game did not help either.
Here is the article from Tribune-Vindy:
https://www.tribtoday.com/sports/local-sports/2020/01/disappearing-defense/
Poor decision making on the court by the players at the end did us in. Missing critical FT late in the game did not help either.
Here is the article from Tribune-Vindy:
https://www.tribtoday.com/sports/local-sports/2020/01/disappearing-defense/
41
YSU Penguin Athletics / GB at YSU
« on: January 25, 2020, 06:41:05 PM »
Morgan and Q made jump shots. Team made FT. YSU won in ot.
42
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU won at IUPUI
« on: December 28, 2019, 04:13:37 PM »
Good win at IUPUI 83-73 this afternoon.
Won the game at the line. Ysu 12 of 14, IUPUI 12 of 28.
In spite of picking up 3 fouls in the first half, Q managed with 23 points (while sitting out and missing some playing time).
On the negative side, we had a high number of turnovers.
Won the game at the line. Ysu 12 of 14, IUPUI 12 of 28.
In spite of picking up 3 fouls in the first half, Q managed with 23 points (while sitting out and missing some playing time).
On the negative side, we had a high number of turnovers.
43
YSU Penguin Athletics / MBB over Binghamton
« on: December 19, 2019, 09:30:08 AM »
From Tribune/Vindy
Defense dominates
YSU stays perfect at Beeghly
YSU SPORTS
DEC 19, 2019
JOHN VARGO
Sports Reporter
jvargo@tribtoday.com
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes — Michael Akuchie, right, of Youngstown State shoots a 3-pointer over Brenton Mills of Binghamton on Wednesday in the first half of the Penguins’ 73-55 victory at the Beeghly Center.
YOUNGSTOWN — Naz Bohannon felt pressure squeezing around him as Binghamton’s post players tried to bump and maneuver the Youngstown State 6-foot-6 junior forward out of their way.
Bohannon was having nothing of the sort in the first 20 minutes against players at least 2 inches taller than the Lorain native.
He’s seen it before, two players coming at him in practices. Spin moves and staying durable. That’s how Bohannon survived and advanced.
The Penguins did a little more than that in Wednesday’s 73-55 win over Binghamton to push YSU’s record at the Beeghly Center to 6-0. It’s the first time the Penguins (7-5) have went 6-0 at home in the non-conference schedule since the 2010-11 season.
The winning ways help YSU heading into Horizon League play later this month.
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes — Devin Morgan, right, of Youngstown State drives into the paint against Binghamton’s Brenton Mills during the second half of YSU’s 73-55 win over the Bearcats. The Penguins host West Virginia at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Covelli Centre.
“You build it with home games,” Penguins coach Jerrod Calhoun said. “There’s been a lot coaches looking for a magic formula, but I really believe if you don’t have home games at our level you’re really at a disadvantage for conference play. The confidence factor for our guys is high.”
YSU led by 21 points early in the second half as the Penguins’ defensive pressure kept mounting on the Bearcats (5-6). It slowly began subsiding as the final 20 minutes rolled along.
Calhoun talked about his team learning to play with a lead, and Wednesday was a good teaching moment. Bohannon heard Calhoun’s words during the a time out. The YSU junior sat in Calhoun’s chair and looked at his teammates.
“I told the guys, ‘Let’s go,’ “ said Bohannon, who had a career-high 19 points. ” ‘We have to get interested in playing defense again. Defense is why we win games. If we play defense, we can get out and run and have fun.’ “
YSU is one of the better defensive teams in the Horizon League, holding teams to 68 a game coming into Wednesday’s game.
The Penguins’ lead dwindled down to 12 at 59-47 with 7:49 left. The inside of the Beeghly Center was as quiet.
Calhoun noticed the team’s energy levels were low in the second half, a stark contrast to the 22 points Binghamton was held to in the first 20 minutes.
Things like that cannot happen Saturday when YSU host No. 25 West Virginia at the Covelli Centre, starting at 1 p.m.
“We have to refocus and understand we’re playing a team on Saturday at 1 o’clock that is not going to take any possessions off,” Calhoun said. “They are going to compete on every possession. They’re going to make it difficult on all the possessions. We’re going to have to match that and more.
“In this game, that played a little bit of a factor.”
Jelani Simmons’ windmill dunk with about 3 minutes remaining revitalized the Penguins the rest of the way. Michael Akuchie added 10 points.
Bohannon said he missed Simmons on an earlier trip down the court.
“Before I called it, I saw him out the side,” Bohannon said. “It’s going to him. When he jumped, I felt all the adrenaline rushing. I told him after the game, you would’ve thought I dunked it.”
The nearly 2,000 inside the Beeghly Center started to get back into the flow of the contest.
“You hear a huge eruption when Jelani Simmons dunked the basketball,” Calhoun said. “I tried to explain to Jamir (Thomas) on the bench. It’s got to be an and-one dunk. You’ve got to get above the rim. You’ve got to dunk the ball. You’ve got to get the crowd into it. That’s what we’re trying to establish.”
YSU has established itself as one of the Horizon League’s best defensive teams, only trailing Oakland and Northern Kentucky.
YSU held Binghamton’s Sam Sessoms, who had 40 points in the Bearcats’ previous game and averaged 20, to seven. Pierre Sarr led with 20 points, while George Tinsley added 13.
Even YSU seasoned fans like Trumbull County native Bob Camardo mentioned to Calhoun that the 50 points the Penguins held Southeast Missouri State in the previous game was impressive.
“(He) made a comment that the SEMO game is one of the better performances he’s seen in a while defensively,” Calhoun said. “I shared that with our team. I think fans appreciate teams who really like to play defense. Our guys have bought into it.”
Wednesday was another example.
Defense dominates
YSU stays perfect at Beeghly
YSU SPORTS
DEC 19, 2019
JOHN VARGO
Sports Reporter
jvargo@tribtoday.com
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes — Michael Akuchie, right, of Youngstown State shoots a 3-pointer over Brenton Mills of Binghamton on Wednesday in the first half of the Penguins’ 73-55 victory at the Beeghly Center.
YOUNGSTOWN — Naz Bohannon felt pressure squeezing around him as Binghamton’s post players tried to bump and maneuver the Youngstown State 6-foot-6 junior forward out of their way.
Bohannon was having nothing of the sort in the first 20 minutes against players at least 2 inches taller than the Lorain native.
He’s seen it before, two players coming at him in practices. Spin moves and staying durable. That’s how Bohannon survived and advanced.
The Penguins did a little more than that in Wednesday’s 73-55 win over Binghamton to push YSU’s record at the Beeghly Center to 6-0. It’s the first time the Penguins (7-5) have went 6-0 at home in the non-conference schedule since the 2010-11 season.
The winning ways help YSU heading into Horizon League play later this month.
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes — Devin Morgan, right, of Youngstown State drives into the paint against Binghamton’s Brenton Mills during the second half of YSU’s 73-55 win over the Bearcats. The Penguins host West Virginia at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Covelli Centre.
“You build it with home games,” Penguins coach Jerrod Calhoun said. “There’s been a lot coaches looking for a magic formula, but I really believe if you don’t have home games at our level you’re really at a disadvantage for conference play. The confidence factor for our guys is high.”
YSU led by 21 points early in the second half as the Penguins’ defensive pressure kept mounting on the Bearcats (5-6). It slowly began subsiding as the final 20 minutes rolled along.
Calhoun talked about his team learning to play with a lead, and Wednesday was a good teaching moment. Bohannon heard Calhoun’s words during the a time out. The YSU junior sat in Calhoun’s chair and looked at his teammates.
“I told the guys, ‘Let’s go,’ “ said Bohannon, who had a career-high 19 points. ” ‘We have to get interested in playing defense again. Defense is why we win games. If we play defense, we can get out and run and have fun.’ “
YSU is one of the better defensive teams in the Horizon League, holding teams to 68 a game coming into Wednesday’s game.
The Penguins’ lead dwindled down to 12 at 59-47 with 7:49 left. The inside of the Beeghly Center was as quiet.
Calhoun noticed the team’s energy levels were low in the second half, a stark contrast to the 22 points Binghamton was held to in the first 20 minutes.
Things like that cannot happen Saturday when YSU host No. 25 West Virginia at the Covelli Centre, starting at 1 p.m.
“We have to refocus and understand we’re playing a team on Saturday at 1 o’clock that is not going to take any possessions off,” Calhoun said. “They are going to compete on every possession. They’re going to make it difficult on all the possessions. We’re going to have to match that and more.
“In this game, that played a little bit of a factor.”
Jelani Simmons’ windmill dunk with about 3 minutes remaining revitalized the Penguins the rest of the way. Michael Akuchie added 10 points.
Bohannon said he missed Simmons on an earlier trip down the court.
“Before I called it, I saw him out the side,” Bohannon said. “It’s going to him. When he jumped, I felt all the adrenaline rushing. I told him after the game, you would’ve thought I dunked it.”
The nearly 2,000 inside the Beeghly Center started to get back into the flow of the contest.
“You hear a huge eruption when Jelani Simmons dunked the basketball,” Calhoun said. “I tried to explain to Jamir (Thomas) on the bench. It’s got to be an and-one dunk. You’ve got to get above the rim. You’ve got to dunk the ball. You’ve got to get the crowd into it. That’s what we’re trying to establish.”
YSU has established itself as one of the Horizon League’s best defensive teams, only trailing Oakland and Northern Kentucky.
YSU held Binghamton’s Sam Sessoms, who had 40 points in the Bearcats’ previous game and averaged 20, to seven. Pierre Sarr led with 20 points, while George Tinsley added 13.
Even YSU seasoned fans like Trumbull County native Bob Camardo mentioned to Calhoun that the 50 points the Penguins held Southeast Missouri State in the previous game was impressive.
“(He) made a comment that the SEMO game is one of the better performances he’s seen in a while defensively,” Calhoun said. “I shared that with our team. I think fans appreciate teams who really like to play defense. Our guys have bought into it.”
Wednesday was another example.
44
YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU basketball
« on: November 19, 2019, 06:24:55 AM »
From today's Vindy/Tribune,
Busy week for Penguins
Defense, mentality key for YSU?teams
SPORT COLUMNS
NOV 19, 2019
JOHN VARGO
Sports Reporter
jvargo@tribtoday.com
Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown State’s Naz Bohannon (33) works for position in the Penguins’ game at Louisville on Nov. 10.
Focus. The Youngstown State University men’s basketball team has it this season, looking to improve on its 12-win campaign of the 2018-19 season. The Penguins had a six-game win streak midway through the Horizon League season and is a team that wants to be prevalent during the 2019-20 campaign.
The YSU women’s team has had defense as its calling card since John Barnes took over the program starting in the 2013-14 season.
YSU’s two teams are focused on improving.
Closing out opponents has been an issue for the YSU men in the past. In a 15-point loss Friday, the Penguins couldn’t stop surging Louisiana-Lafayette from a late 12-2 run to close the game.
The Penguins (1-2) were outscored by 12 in the second half after going into the locker room with a three-point advantage and having the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun wondered what could he have done, and so did his team.
“The kids didn’t get too down,” he said. “They were just disappointed because that was a good opportunity down there.”
YSU plays host to North Carolina Central (1-2), a team that has been to four NCAA Tournaments since 2014, tonight at 7 p.m. The Penguins are at Akron on Thursday and at the University of South Carolina-Upsate on Saturday.
“It’s a player’s dream to play three games in five days and have very little practice,” Calhoun said. “I teased with our guys (Monday) morning, ‘I wish I could still play.’ This is what it’s about — 120 minutes of basketball. To me it’s a pivotal point in our season. It is early, but at the same time these games are really important. It’s important we keep improving. It’s important our attention to detail is really good this week because you are playing three different opponents.”
Knowing where you are on the floor, making good shots and timely decisions are huge parts of this team’s improvement. The Penguins must make the best of situations — especially in a tightly-contested game.
The Penguins are shooting 55 percent from the foul line. Sophomore guard Darius Quisenberry, who had 18 points on Friday, said muscle memory is key. He is 8-for-10 from the line and is one of the team’s best free-throw shooters.
“Guys have to have that confidence to shoot it as well,” he said. “As our confidence grows, our percentage as a team will grow.”
YSU is shooting below 30 percent from beyond the arc. The movement from the 3-point arc out from 20-feet, 9-inches to 22-1§ isn’t the reason.
“Sometimes we get guys in a rough position to shoot it,” Quisenberry said. “It hurts them as the shot goes up.”
The women’s basketball team struggled against a surprisingly hot-shooting Eastern Michigan team in the first 20 minutes. It took the grind-it-out defensive effort Barnes’ teams have been known for around the Horizon League circles to rally the Penguins to secure Saturday’s victory.
It’s about adjustments for the women’s team, which it made against Eastern Michigan. These Penguins need to be consistent with their defensive going forward, especially facing a tough University of Akron team Wednesday at the James A. Rhodes Arena on the Zips’ campus.
YSU (2-2) is facing a tall task in an Akron team which is 2-1 with wins against St. Bonaventure and Purdue-Fort Wayne. The only setback is a nine-point home loss to Michigan.
The Penguins have allowed an average of almost 80 points per game against Eastern Michigan and in an overtime loss to Kent State. YSU must play better defense against a potent Akron team led by three double-figure scorers. The Penguins’ second-half defense held Eastern Michigan to 31 of its 77 points in the final 20 minutes during YSU’s 18-point comeback. The Eagles shot an insanely good 70 percent in the first quarter and surged ahead to a 15-point halftime lead.
“Defense is something you can always control, how fast you’re going, how hard you’re going,” said freshman guard Mady Aulbach, who sounded more like an experienced senior when she spoke at Monday’s weekly news conference. “If we’re giving 110 percent on defense, that can help us in a lot of games in determining a win or loss by a few points.”
There are nine newcomers on the Penguins’ roster, most who haven’t played college basketball before this season. Barnes knows he must be patient with this young squad, even though he obviously expects more for a YSU team which won 22 games last season.
Consistency, the Penguins have it in junior Chelsea Olson, who averaged a double-double and had a triple-double in the team’s opener.
The Penguins need more consistency going forward and have points of focus against a schedule which is not easy against tough foes like NCAA Tournament teams Robert Morris and Kent State.
“Taking care of the basketball is a big (focus),” Barnes said. “We did a much better job against Eastern Michigan. They’re athletic and fast and put some pressure on. We just did a better job than the previous two games. We’re easily 3-1 if we take care of the basketball with a lot better chance to win that fourth.
“With a lot of young players out there, they’re getting that experience. I thought Mady Aulbach looked a lot more comfortable out there. I thought Jen Wendler had a nice game. Maddie Schires looks a lot more comfortable. A lot of true freshmen playing a lot of minutes are getting more comfortable.”
It’ll just take time and patience for the YSU women.
Busy week for Penguins
Defense, mentality key for YSU?teams
SPORT COLUMNS
NOV 19, 2019
JOHN VARGO
Sports Reporter
jvargo@tribtoday.com
Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown State’s Naz Bohannon (33) works for position in the Penguins’ game at Louisville on Nov. 10.
Focus. The Youngstown State University men’s basketball team has it this season, looking to improve on its 12-win campaign of the 2018-19 season. The Penguins had a six-game win streak midway through the Horizon League season and is a team that wants to be prevalent during the 2019-20 campaign.
The YSU women’s team has had defense as its calling card since John Barnes took over the program starting in the 2013-14 season.
YSU’s two teams are focused on improving.
Closing out opponents has been an issue for the YSU men in the past. In a 15-point loss Friday, the Penguins couldn’t stop surging Louisiana-Lafayette from a late 12-2 run to close the game.
The Penguins (1-2) were outscored by 12 in the second half after going into the locker room with a three-point advantage and having the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun wondered what could he have done, and so did his team.
“The kids didn’t get too down,” he said. “They were just disappointed because that was a good opportunity down there.”
YSU plays host to North Carolina Central (1-2), a team that has been to four NCAA Tournaments since 2014, tonight at 7 p.m. The Penguins are at Akron on Thursday and at the University of South Carolina-Upsate on Saturday.
“It’s a player’s dream to play three games in five days and have very little practice,” Calhoun said. “I teased with our guys (Monday) morning, ‘I wish I could still play.’ This is what it’s about — 120 minutes of basketball. To me it’s a pivotal point in our season. It is early, but at the same time these games are really important. It’s important we keep improving. It’s important our attention to detail is really good this week because you are playing three different opponents.”
Knowing where you are on the floor, making good shots and timely decisions are huge parts of this team’s improvement. The Penguins must make the best of situations — especially in a tightly-contested game.
The Penguins are shooting 55 percent from the foul line. Sophomore guard Darius Quisenberry, who had 18 points on Friday, said muscle memory is key. He is 8-for-10 from the line and is one of the team’s best free-throw shooters.
“Guys have to have that confidence to shoot it as well,” he said. “As our confidence grows, our percentage as a team will grow.”
YSU is shooting below 30 percent from beyond the arc. The movement from the 3-point arc out from 20-feet, 9-inches to 22-1§ isn’t the reason.
“Sometimes we get guys in a rough position to shoot it,” Quisenberry said. “It hurts them as the shot goes up.”
The women’s basketball team struggled against a surprisingly hot-shooting Eastern Michigan team in the first 20 minutes. It took the grind-it-out defensive effort Barnes’ teams have been known for around the Horizon League circles to rally the Penguins to secure Saturday’s victory.
It’s about adjustments for the women’s team, which it made against Eastern Michigan. These Penguins need to be consistent with their defensive going forward, especially facing a tough University of Akron team Wednesday at the James A. Rhodes Arena on the Zips’ campus.
YSU (2-2) is facing a tall task in an Akron team which is 2-1 with wins against St. Bonaventure and Purdue-Fort Wayne. The only setback is a nine-point home loss to Michigan.
The Penguins have allowed an average of almost 80 points per game against Eastern Michigan and in an overtime loss to Kent State. YSU must play better defense against a potent Akron team led by three double-figure scorers. The Penguins’ second-half defense held Eastern Michigan to 31 of its 77 points in the final 20 minutes during YSU’s 18-point comeback. The Eagles shot an insanely good 70 percent in the first quarter and surged ahead to a 15-point halftime lead.
“Defense is something you can always control, how fast you’re going, how hard you’re going,” said freshman guard Mady Aulbach, who sounded more like an experienced senior when she spoke at Monday’s weekly news conference. “If we’re giving 110 percent on defense, that can help us in a lot of games in determining a win or loss by a few points.”
There are nine newcomers on the Penguins’ roster, most who haven’t played college basketball before this season. Barnes knows he must be patient with this young squad, even though he obviously expects more for a YSU team which won 22 games last season.
Consistency, the Penguins have it in junior Chelsea Olson, who averaged a double-double and had a triple-double in the team’s opener.
The Penguins need more consistency going forward and have points of focus against a schedule which is not easy against tough foes like NCAA Tournament teams Robert Morris and Kent State.
“Taking care of the basketball is a big (focus),” Barnes said. “We did a much better job against Eastern Michigan. They’re athletic and fast and put some pressure on. We just did a better job than the previous two games. We’re easily 3-1 if we take care of the basketball with a lot better chance to win that fourth.
“With a lot of young players out there, they’re getting that experience. I thought Mady Aulbach looked a lot more comfortable out there. I thought Jen Wendler had a nice game. Maddie Schires looks a lot more comfortable. A lot of true freshmen playing a lot of minutes are getting more comfortable.”
It’ll just take time and patience for the YSU women.
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YSU Penguin Athletics / MBB at number 5 Louisville
« on: November 10, 2019, 03:03:07 PM »
Down only 38-31 at half.
Downed big early, but fought back hard. The team is really athletic.
Still could not shoot FT, otherwise, the score would be a lot closer. Game is on ACC network and FS1 (Spectrum ch. 31).
Downed big early, but fought back hard. The team is really athletic.
Still could not shoot FT, otherwise, the score would be a lot closer. Game is on ACC network and FS1 (Spectrum ch. 31).