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Madison Has to Make Plays

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Davey Hipp

          Madison travels across town to face the Lexington Minutemen for the second time in less than a week.  This time Wednesday night in a division III sectional final.

          Last Friday, they beat Lexington (48-45) in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game.

          Coch Davey Hipp says they played some pretty good defense.  “I think the biggest thing for us is we battled back.  We got down early and we kept chipping at the lead.  When we got the lead I thought we played well and took care of the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We got good shots.  Defensively, we didn't give him open shots.  I noticed with Lex, when they get open threes and you give them wide open shots, they tend to make them.  If you contest you can live with them making a few shots, but ideally you don't give them wide open looks.”

          They also beat Lexington (64-60) in double overtime on January 17.

          Hipp says he expects some adjustments to the Lexington game plan, little ones.  “Playing them twice already, being in the same league, third time around is always a little different.  I’m sure there'll be some different looks.  I think our guys are ready and prepared for anything they can throw at us.  I'm sure they'll be very prepared for us this time around too,” said Hipp.

          Hipp says they are going to again have to be able to make plays at the end of the game.  “We were just talking, the first two games we won by a combined seven points.  The first time by four and then three on Friday, so obviously we're well matched, they're a good team and you can pretty much expect another thrilling game,” he said.

Published 2/25/26

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Madison Must Play Well

          Madison faces Tiffin Columbian on Tuesday night in a division III district semifinal at Buckeye Central.

          This winner advances to a district final at Buckeye on Saturday afternoon against either Toledo Central Catholic or Toledo Rogers.

          Madison (14-8) has not played a game since February 12, which is almost two weeks.

          They have won nine of their last 11 and coach Doug Rickert says they have tried to keep that momentum the best they could.   “We tried to do the best we could of trying to keep practice similar to what it was.  We gave the girls a day off here and there just to keep their legs rested and still run them enough to keep them in shape.  Yeah, it's always something that you are just concerned about.  You're in a nice flow, you've been playing good basketball and you wish you were playing, but there really wasn't a whole lot we could do about that,” he said.

          Tiffin Columbian (14-9) edged Ontario (38-36) in a sectional final last Thursday.  They beat the Lady Rams (55-41) on December 27.

          Rickert says that loss was kind of a turning point for them.  “Well, I think they're a good basketball team and they did beat us.  I think we were down one or up one of at the half.  We didn't play a really good third quarter against them.  I thought it was a period where we weren't playing really good basketball.  It was over break.  The funny thing was that was the game that we kind of used to propel us a little bit.  The film session wasn't good that night.  We talked about how lazy we were and a lot of possessions and we had to work harder.  We kind of turned it around after that game.  Now, with that said, they're a good team, like I said.  They've got a district first teamer on there that gave us some fits the last time.  We're going to have to play our best basketball to win,” said Rickert.

          On Tuesday night, Rickert says they have rebound and they can’t have a bunch of silly turnovers.  “Well, first of all they're very good on the offensive glass.  We have got to keep them off the offensive glass, that's number one.  I think we have to know where their shooters are.  They have two really good shooters from the outside.  The girl that plays inside is just really good at going to the basket.  We know a lot of their tendencies now.  We've watched a lot of film.  We were able to play them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “The girls know everything.  We've got what we feel is a good game plan, but at some point you have got to execute it.  We've got to take care of the basketball.  When we get ourselves in trouble, we turn the ball over and a lot of times it's not forced turnovers.  That's the frustrating thing, so we've got to protect the basketball and we've got to keep them off the offensive glass.”

Published 2/24/26

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Madison to Play Rival Lexington

          Madison plays down at Lexington against the Minutemen in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They will also meet in the division III tournament next week.

          On Wednesday night, they lost (72-65) in double overtime to Crestview, of the Firelands Conference, in a non-league game.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they just couldn't get over that last hurdle.  “I thought we played a pretty good game there for 95 and 98% of the game and made a lot of good plays and had a couple chances to win.  A bad shooting night and some untimely possessions that gave Crestview the win.  Crestview was a quality team too they have got a couple all kids are really, really good,” said Hipp.

          Madison (7-14,3-10) is at Lexington (8-12,5-8) on Friday night.  This is makeup game from a couple of weeks ago.  Lexington played perhaps their best game of the year in beating Ashland (69-64) last Friday.

          Hipp says this is a good Lexington team.  “Any Lexington team is dangerous.  With them earlier in the year we went double overtime and ended up winning that one.  They have got Dantrell Hughes, who is playing really well, first team district,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Then a couple young guys that are helping them out and they're starting to figure it out.  It took a little bit of adjustment losing their best player, but they're playing well right now.”

          Madison won (64-60) in double overtime on January 17.

          Hipp says the Minutemen show some versatility offensively, but they want to push the pace.  “They have got a lot of guards that are quick and know how to play.  They want to get up and down, that's for sure.  They run some good sets, but they get a rebound and push it transition try to catch us off guard,” he said.

Published 2/20/26

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Madison Wants Improvement

          Madison has two Ohio Cardinal Conference games on its schedule this week at New Philadelphia on Tuesday night and at home against archrival Mansfield Senior on Friday.

          They lost (47-40) to Wooster in an “OCC” game on Friday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they just didn’t make enough shots.  “I thought we played well for 85 to 90% of the game and kind of gave it to them at the end with some turnovers that cost us.  When you shoot about 10% from three, had a couple of threes go in and out and that doesn’t help either.  Held them the 47 points, but only scored 40.  So, a lot of good things to take away, but a lot to grow one obviously too,” said Hipp.

          Madison (7-10,3-8) is at New Philadelphia (14-5,8-4), #3 in the Swankonports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll, on Tuesday night.  The Quakers hammered Lexington (69-47) in an “OCC” game last Saturday.

          Hipp says they play solid half court offense.  “They do what they do well.  They get in their sets, they play good half court defense, they can lull you to sleep with all the screens and back cuts and flares,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We have got to be able to talk and communicate through their offense and then find a way to get inside, get in the teeth of the defense and knock down some shots.”

          The Rams host Mansfield Senior (13-7,9-4), #4 in our poll, on Friday night.

          The Tygers destroyed them (58-15) on December 23.

          Hipp says they have to be better this time.  “Us not playing good the first time is an understatement.  I think that it's a testament to how much the guys have worked this season from beginning to end.  I think they're definitely exciting though to play our rival on Friday.  It'll be good to get them again,” he said.

Published 2/10/26

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Madison Has to be Ready to go

          Madison is at home for Mansfield St. Peter’s in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          They travel to Wooster for an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They lost a (46-34) decision to conference leader Dover on Friday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says if they would have rebounded better it would have given them a better chance.  “I thought we played well for the majority of the game.  Dover out rebounded and that kind of put us behind in terms of point wise and couple free throws got it 12.  If we could have rebounded a little better on the offensive and defensive end we could have given ourselves a better shot.  Overall, didn't play bad and have to build on it,” said Hipp.

          Madison (6-9) hosts St. Peter’s (6-6) on Tuesday.  They Spartans lost (67-53) to Mid-Buckeye Conference leader Kidron Central Christian on Friday and then smoked Tuscarawas Central Catholic (63-26) on Saturday.

          Hipp says the Spartans will be athletic.  “St. Pete’s has got a lot of length.  They play a lot of athletes.  They have guys who can handle the ball, shoot the ball, and they’re well coached.  So, it will be a good test for us.  We have got them at home, so guys are looking forward to playing,” he said.

          Madison beat Wooster (44-42) in their first meeting January 9.

          Hipp says winning on the road is tough.  “Wooster’s a good team.  We beat them the first time in a close game.  This time around they'll be ready to go again, especially they're playing at home,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We got them at home last time so going on the road is difficult, especially in the “OCC”.  We have got to be ready with back up plans, especially when playing league games and guys know you so well.  So, you have to be ready to go and try to get a win on the road.”

Published 2/03/26

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Madison Healthy Again

          Madison plays at home against Dover, the Ohio Cardinal Conference co-leader, in a conference game on Friday night.

          The Rams did not play last Friday against New Philadelphia due to sickness on the team.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they seem to be ready to go.  “It's been a weird week here.  We've had a lot of guys sick and then the weather prevented us from doing anything, which I think was kind of a blessing in disguise for us because you just got time off to rest.  Took the whole weekend and let our guys recover a little bit.  I think we're all back healthy and ready to go now,” he said.

          Madison (6-8,3-6) hosts Dover (10-6,8-2) on Friday night.  The Tornadoes stuffed Lexington (54-31) last Friday.

          Hipp says Dover understands its identity.  “Dover is a good team.  They have got a lot of guys that can do a lot of things for them.  They are well coached, they will play hard, they know what they're good at,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Half court sets lulling the defense asleep, making them work to get stops.  They take a lot of good shots.  Their shots selection is really good.  Defensively they're rely a lot on each other in their half court man.”

          Dover won the first meeting (52-36) on January 3.

          Hipp says their goal is to try and make Dover play faster.  “I think that's definitely a way to get them out what they want to do.  They're good enough to slow down even against teams that want to make them play fast.  Ideally you do speed them up a little bit, make them work to get them out of their normal sets and they're offense they work on every single day,” said Hipp.

Published 1/30/26

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Madison to Play Very Good Ashland

          The Madison Lady Rams will entertain Ohio Cardinal Conference leading Ashland in a conference game on Wednesday night.

          Madison (11-7,9-2), in a share of second place in the “OCC”, rallied to (67-65) in an “OCC” game on Saturday.

          Coach Doug Rickert says they never game up.  “They're a gutty group.  We didn't lead ever in the game.  I think we're down 12 going to the fourth.  We were down 10 with 1:35 left to go and they found a way.  They just keep on fighting.  It's really been a great story because with the four girls that we lost that we're on the varsity team and how they just keep on battling it's just been impressive really,” he said.

          Ashland (15-1,11-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the large school division, beat New Philadelphia (64-47) in an “OCC” game last Saturday.

          Rickert says they are just very good from top to bottom.  “They lost (Madison) Hoffman, who was one of their best players.  It's a crazy thing to say.  I don't know how to say it, but they almost look better at times.  It just seemed like every girl has elevated their play even more because they know she's out.  They've has been absolutely phenomenal.  They're getting great play out of (Josie) Van Tilberg, who now just became a starter and (Grace) Tobias, these girls that nobody heard of are starting to play much better,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “(Camryn) Cox has been really good the last few games.  Of course, (Cienna) Steury and (Kennedy) Lacey are their best players all the time.  If you're not playing them, they're fun to watch.  They play the game the right way, they play hard, they pass the ball better than anybody we play.  They just are very aggressive and that's why they're undefeated in our league.”

          Ashland beat the Lady Rams (64-40) on December 17.

          Rickert says the Lady Arrows have spurtabilty and they saw that up close and in person.  “When we played them over there.  We were down seven with about two minutes ago on the third and we thought we were right there.  We made a couple turnovers.  I think we turned it over almost three times a row and did some unforced things.  They banged three three balls on got fouled on one.  All of a sudden they're up 17 points.  It was just bam and they can do that.  We've watched them do it against everybody that played.  They just refuse to lose.  Coach (Renee) Holt does a great job over there.  They're just about as good but you're going to play,” said Rickert.

Published 1/28/26

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Madison Playing Well

          Red hot Madison is up at Ashland to lock horns with the Arrows in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Tuesday night.

          The Rams have won five of their last six.

          That includes a thrilling (64-60) win in double overtime over rival Lexington on Saturday night in “OCC” play.

Coach Davey Hipp says again they found a way.  “It was a really gutty win by the guys.  We played hard.  We had a few chances to seal it in regulation and the first overtime and it didn't happen the way we wanted.  We went down five in the second overtime and chipped our way back and ended up pulling it out with some late free throws and a big shot from Justin McCraney,” he said.

Hipp says since the near year turned, this team has had a we are not going to lose attitude.  “We were down at half and came out and were up going into the fourth.  They made a nice play down the stretch and tied it up.  We kept battling up and down in the overtimes and ended up just going our way,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “That's just a credit to our players.  That’s extremely gutty win.  We actually talked about that (Monday). Every close game we've been in they have found a way to get it done.  I couldn't be more proud of the guys with the way they're playing right now.”

Madison (6-7,3-5) is at Ashland (7-6,6-2) on Tuesday night.  The Arrows now share the “OCC” lead with Dover after smoking the Tornadoes (67-41) last Friday.

Hipp says Ashland just has a lot of shooters and they are hard to contain.  “There's a lot to like about those guys.  They're dominated by their guard play.  They have got Ediger, Baith, Emmons, Garrett Davis and a couple guys off the bench that can really shoot it too.  They could put five guys on the floor at once that can all really light it up, but then they got guys who know their roles too.  They're well coached by Jason (Hess).  They run a lot of good play good offense and makes it easy for them when they got shooters,” said Hipp.

Published 1/20/26

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Madison Feeling Good

          Madison has won three of its last five games and the Rams play at Norwalk in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they are starting to develop some confidence.  “The guys are playing really well right now.  They're finding their roles.  I think they're buying into each other and playing really well,” said Hipp.

          Hipp adds they have figured out who should be on the floor.  “Early in the season we were playing nine or 10 guys then we found our seven or eight who really know what we expect out of them now.  I think it helps just knowing exactly what we need at each other in each game,” he said.

          Madison (3-7) plays at Norwalk (0-10) on Tuesday night.  The Truckers are coming off a (61-22) thumping by Tiffin Columbian last Thursday in a Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division game.

          Hipp says the Truckers are dangerous.  “Their record isn't as good as I think they are.  They're capable of playing really well.  They have got a lot of length and guys who can shoot the ball.  So, we’ll have to be ready to go.  They're at home, so they're always capable of shooting, anyone's capable of shooting really good at home,” said Hipp.

          Madison plays West Holmes (3-7) and Lexington (4-7) on Friday and Saturday in Ohio Cardinal Conference games.

          Hipp says they are confident they can win those games.  “I think we feel like any game on our schedule is winnable now.  We're playing some of the best basketball around here,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Like I said in the beginning they are really brought in.  I think they all believe, especially showing it against Wooster and Galion on Tuesday and if some things would have went different Saturday the score could be a lot different.  So, the guys really enjoying playing right now.”

Published 1/13/26

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Madison Committed to Improvement

          Madison plays at home against Lexington in an Ohio Cardinal Conference girls’ basketball game on Wednesday night.

          They got an “OCC” win (59-56) over Dover on Saturday.

          Coach Doug Rickert says they were on the verge of two other wins over the holidays too.  “Not as good we wanted to.  I thought Mt. Vernon was a lot like us and came down to the wire right at the end there.  We just didn't shoot it really well that night.  We only scored 35 points.  Then we went to Tiffin and got down early and came all the way back, fought back again hard, only to have a rough fourth quarter and we didn't score much there either.  Then turned around the other day in Dover and played I thought one of our better games that we played this year.  So, we just got to get some consistency,” he said.

          Rickert says they have having some depth issues right now and they are trying to work through those the best they can.  “We talked to the kids about where we've been in the first half of every game.  All of our losses, we've been down a couple points, or a few points at half, or one point, or we had the lead and we haven't been able to finish.  A lot of that's just been our conditioning and what shape we're in.  With that said it's tough.  We're basically playing seven girls.  Our eighth girl right now is another one that's been injured.  We were hoping to get another girl back, but I don't know if that's going to happen,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “With that said another one of our starters hurt her shoulder, had a little bit of sickness to go with this.  So, I guess the bottom line is they've given us everything that that we could ask.  We don't ever make excuses here.  It's not we're trying to do, but it has been tough on the girls to sustain four quarters of basketball.  The other night we were down five late at Dover.  We could have folded, but we did make some key plays.  We got a second wind that second half.  I thought we played very well erased a 10 point deficit to get that win.  So, we’re 6-6 and maybe that's kind of team we are right now, but we just want to get better every day.”

          Madison (6-6,4-2) is at Lexington (1-10,1-5) on Wednesday night.  Lady Lex fell (57-31) to Wooster in the “OCC” on Saturday.  The Lady Rams won at Lexington (47-30) back on December 3.

          Rickert says Lady Lex is better than they were then.  “Well, that's been brought up and I think Lexington's already improved, especially watching them on film.  They're continuing to play hard.  Last year, we told the girls last week we beat Lex by 12 and our place and the second time round we went over there and they beat us by about 20.  So, we don't want anything like that to happen to us again.  So, it's already been brought up that's for sure,” he said.

Published 1/07/26

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Madison Getting Better

          Madison takes its act to Galion for a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          After losing it first five games, the Rams got a win last Tuesday over Mt. Vernon (49-42) and then played well in losing (52-36) to “OCC” leader Dover on Friday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says it was a good effort verses Dover.  “It was a good bounce back game against Mt. Vernon after the Senior High game.  Then we went to Dover and we had a couple of chances to win,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “It was 41-34 for a few minutes and couple of missed shots, a couple turnovers and could have changed the game.”

          Hipp believes they are headed in the right direction.  “I think we've turned the corner.  We are starting to figure out roles and enjoying it.  I think we're on the uphill from where we started at,” he said.

          Madison (1-6) is at Galion (5-5) on Tuesday night.  The Tigers lost (46-40) to Marion Harding on Friday night in “MOAC” action.

          Hipp says they have some athletes.  “They have got a lot of shooters.  A couple guys who can fill up the stat sheet points wise, rebounds, and assists.  Parker Tinch is a good shooter.  We have got to watch out for him.  They're well coached, so we got to go over there and be ready to go,” said Hipp.

Published 1/06/26

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Madison Must Attack Zone

          Madison plays at home against Mt. Vernon on Tuesday night in a non-league game as they seek their first win of the season.

          They will play “OCC” leader Dover on Friday in a league game.

          Coach Davey Hipp hopes the holidays can be a good time of the year for the Rams.  “I think it's good.  It gives us a break from our normal routine.  Getting us a lot of days with each other and some competition and some more team bonding I think can go a long way for us,” he said.

          Hipp says they have to run offense better and they absolutely must begin to limit their turnovers.  “Offensively, we have got to be able to move the ball.  Our shots aren't falling.  We're continually encouraging our kids to shoot with confidence.  We have got limit our turnovers that's been a pretty prominent effect of us in the game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “I think if we can limit those and get better shots and not give the other team extra possessions it will take this a little bit farther in games that has been.”

          Madison (0-5) hosts Mt. Vernon (4-3) on Tuesday night.

          Hipp says if you’re going to beat Mt. Vernon you must be able to score against their zone.  “They do what they do pretty well.  They zone whole game and they do it well.  They run their 1-3-1 back into a 2-3 and then offensively they run their sets.  They get the ball moving.  They have multiple guys who can shoot it.  So, we have got to be ready to go and be ready to attack the zone and get good looks out of it,” said Hipp.

Published 12/30/25

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Madison Has to Clean it up

          Madison will be at home for rival Lexington in Ohio Cardinal Conference play on Friday night.

          The Rams were downed by Ashland (66-43) in “OCC” action on Tuesday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they need to play more consistently.  “Ashland is a good team.  They got a lot of good pieces.  They shoot the ball really well.  We played a good game for about half the game then we started getting too many turnovers.  25 turnovers, it's hard to win games when you give the ball to them that many extra times,” said Hipp.

          Hipp says they are working on ball handling in practice.  He believes they have shown some progress.  “It's a lot of things, getting live reps, working on ball handling, making smart decisions, playing off two feet, a lot of things go into it.  It's something we work on and we're continually getting better,” he said.

          Madison (0-4,0-3) plays host to Lexington (4-1,2-1) on Friday night.  The Minutemen got past Mansfield Senior (63-61) Tuesday night.

          Hipp says they are tough to contain.  “It hard to call it an upset because Lexington is good too, but Mansfield Senior is very good.  Lex is good, they run everything through Seven (Allen), he's a four year varsity guy,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “He’s an extremely talented guy.  They have got a lot of good pieces with Hughes and some of the new faces there.  So, we have got to be ready to go.  It’s a good time for us to get things going and get back on track.”

Published 12/18/25

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Madison Faces Really Good Ashland

          Madison is at Ashland for an interesting game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Wednesday night.

          Madison trails Ashland and New Philadelphia by a game in the “OCC” standings.

          Last week the Lady Rams (4-3,3-1) beat Mansfield Senior (57-19) on Wednesday and Wooster (58-46) on Saturday in “OCC” games.

          Coach Dick Rickert thought they responded well to the challenge they were given.  “The girls played hard.  It was a tough week when you have three games in one week and to win all three of them, I couldn't ask for more of the girls.  They've worked extremely hard.  We're going to quit talking about the injuries because they're done, they're over with.  You really so sorry for the girls that had happened to them, but with that said, we've got to move on and we can't whine about what would have been.  We have got to just keep working on who we are and so far so good with our work ethic,” said Rickert.

          Rickert says his kids have responded well to coaching.  “I think we're good at trying to learn.  I know that sounds crazy, but we are trying to get better every day.  We've ingrained that in them.  Everybody wants to talk about, are you good at scoring, are you good at defense.  We have got to keep getting better at a lot of things right now.  You find a lot of weaknesses when you watch film, but they're willing to work on their weaknesses.  I think that's number one.  They really seem to be buying into playing as a team and wanting to win for Madison,” he said.

          Ashland (5-0,3-0) beat Lexington (57-20) last Wednesday.  A showdown with co-leader New Philadelphia on Saturday was postponed due to the weather.

          Rickert says the Lady Arrows do everything you want a good team to do.  “They're one of the best girls basketball teams I've watched as an AD in my 13 years here.  They play complimentary basketball.  They don't care who scores.  There is not a real weakness on that team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “You could sit here and say we're going to do this or we're going to try to do this and take away that, but they have so many weapons.  They have five girls they start that can score the basketball and they have got girls that come off the bench that can score.  They defend the basketball really well. They are very unselfish.  They move better without the basketball than any team I’ve watched.  They know how to pass it, so they're always thinking ahead of the next step and that makes them really tough to defend.”

Published 12/16/25

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Madison Looking for Better Shots

          Madison will look for its first win of the season as they will be at West Holmes to face the Knights in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They opened the season last Friday with a (53-32) loss to New Philadelphia, one of the conference preseason favorites.

          Monday night, they lost a non-league game at Clear Fork (50-41) to the Colts.

          Coach Davey Hipp says after Monday they are still trying to figure out how the puzzle fits together.  “We got out to a decent start then our offensive slowed us down a little bit.  It’s still early in the season and we're figuring things out.  The guys are bought into keep working,” he said.

          Hipp says they need to find better shots and to do that they need to do a better job running their offense.  “Just get more touches to our guys.  We have got to move the ball a little better.  We have got to look through more options in the offense and not settle on one or two passes.  Get it out in transition and we'll be fine.  We're working on it and like I said the guys have bought into getting better,” said Hipp.

          West Holmes (1-2,0-1) was rocked (89-55) by Mansfield Senior last Friday night in league play.

          Hipp says they have a solid point guard.  He says a goal is to make them play faster than they want to.  “They have got a good piece in their point guard in Nate Sprang.  He does a lot for them.  He is averaging like 18 and nine and they have good compliments around him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We have got to go in there ready to play.  Senior High did a pretty good job of speeding them up and taking them out of what they want to do in the half court.  So, it was a good film to see.”

Published 12/10/25

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Madison Wants to Force Tempo

          Madison plays host to New Philadelphia in Ohio Cardinal Conference play on Friday night.

          It’s the Rams season opener after games against Shelby and Galion were rescheduled for later in the season.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they have gotten a little extra practice to work on things.  “We've gotten some extra time because of some football teams that went far.  So, we have gotten in little bit of extra practices and got a scrimmage in last week.  So, we're getting close to being ready.  I think the guys are all ready to stop hearing me talk all the time and playing against each other, so it will be good,” said Hipp.

          Hipp says New Philadelphia is very good and they understand what they have to do to win.  “New Philly is good.  They do a lot of good things.  They have got a good guard.  They're pretty well balanced.  They shoot the ball really well,” he told Swankonsports.com o Wednesday evening, “Zach (Ross) does a good job.  They like to slow it down, so we will try to make a little uncomfortable and play our game.  Try to get them out of what they like to do.”

          Hipp says they want the Quakers to play faster than they want to.  “They play well when they're half court and they run a lot of sets.  They're pretty patient.  I think seeing some of their scrimmages and games if you can get them uncomfortable and make them do things they're not used to benefits you in the long run.  It's not a secret that we like to play fast.  So, I think it's battle of two different teams,” he said.

Published 12/04/25

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Madison Battling Adversity

          Madison will be at Lexington to face Lady Lex in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Wednesday night.

          This is the “OCC” opener for both squads.

          So far, this season it seems like if the Lady Rams (0-2) didn’t have bad luck they wouldn’t have any luck at all.

          Coach Doug Rickert says injuries and sickness have been a big issue for them.  “It hasn't been the easiest part of it between health and sickness since it's been tough.  We were pretty healthy game one and then we lost a girl to a knee injury, which has been like her third knee injury.  We just lost another girl (Tuesday) night to an ankle.  We lose one of our girls after this game, who will be getting surgery.  Then we've had the sickness bug going through, so yeah it's been a little rough right now,” said Rickert.

          Rickert says there is no use whining about it.  He says it has given some other girls the opportunity to play.  “There is nothing you can do about it.  You're hoping that that gives somebody else a chance to step up and do something.  We told the girls that we're not afraid to play anybody.  Just keep working and when you get your opportunity to show something that's how you stay in the lineup.  So, we'll see what happens,” he said.

          Lexington (0-2) has another new coach in Abbegael David.  They lost last week (65-22) to talented Clear Fork last week.

          Rickert says she has Lady Lex playing with a lot of effort.  “I think they're very gritty bunch.  I think defensively they're pretty good.  They do some new things.  They do some things solidly on defense in the man to man and in the match up,” he told Swankonsports.com Tuesday evening, “They play very hard.  She's got playing really hard.  Of course, with (Tatum) Stover, I think anytime she's on a team they're going to make people play hard around her.  She leads by example.  They have got some good minutes out of (Sofia) Brown.  So, it will be quite a battle.”

Published 12/03/25

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Madison Looking for Improvement

          Madison will have its home opener on Tuesday night as they host the Wynford Lady Royals in a non-conference game.

          They lost their first one (66-44) to Clear Fork last Friday.

          Coach Doug Rickert says they were competitive for most of the way. “I was proud of the girls.  I thought they gave tremendous effort.  I thought they wanted the game really bad.  I thought they executed our game plan and really well.  I think it came down to a couple things.  I thought Clear Fork made some big plays when they had to.  In the second half, we turned the ball over a couple times right in a row where they capitalized on the three pointers and then all of a sudden got that lead up to about 13.  I think they were up like 15, we cut it back down to eight and then we had some foul trouble.  Two of our better guards that we're doing a good job of guarding their guards were in foul trouble and that put a little hurt on us in the third quarter.  Other than that though, look they're a good team.  I think they're very good team,” said Rickert.

          Rickert says they really ran out of gas in the second half against Clear Fork.  “Really if we want to get to that point, we've got to continue to talk about the standard that we have to have around here.  I thought we ran out of gas and so we're not in the shape we want to be in yet.  We got some really good play out of our bench.  I think we had 16 points off our bench, which is fantastic.  We've got to do some things and we've got to hold ourselves to a standard to get to the point we want we want to get to,” he said.

          Rickert says they need to get better every day.  It’s not, hey, let’s make a big jump from game one to game two.  “I think that slogan is great if you're a football team and you have got a whole week to prepare.  We don't have a whole lot of time here with the turn around just being (Tuesday).  We want to get better every day.  We keep saying that and saying that, but that's really where we want to be,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “If we play a better basketball game (Tuesday) night then we played the other night then we're on the right track.  If we continue to make some of the same mistakes.  If we don't coach better than we did the other night and then we're not doing the right thing.  So, we have got to continue to get better every day.  I know it's cliché, but that's where we want to be.  The wins will come if we continue to do those things, and do them the right way, and doing the right way every day.  We stay consistent in our practice habits, we'll be pretty good by the end of the year.”

          Wynford beat Loudonville (46-45) as part of the “Barn Ball Classic” at Smithville on Saturday.

          Rickert says they do a lot of things well, especially handing the ball.  “I think they're very good.  I think they drubbed us pretty good last year.  I think they got us by about 35 points last year.  They have a lot of girls that can handle the basketball.  They have the defending player of the year on the conference in the big girl that plays inside.  Fundamentally, they do things really, really well.  The will ball screening a lot, which is something that we have got to do a better job of.  They pressure you a little bit, but I think the key to them really is how well they handle the basketball.  They've got three or four girls that really handle the ball well.  They can shoot a little bit.  They won a lot of basketball games last year and really didn't lose anybody, so going to be a very tough matchup for us,” said Rickert.

Published 11/25/25

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Madison Taking One Step at a Time

          Madison tips off the girls’ basketball season at Clear Fork against the Lady Colts on Friday night.

          Athletic Director Doug Rickert, in his first year as girls’ coach, says they have shown some good things in the preseason.  He says their goal is to just get better every day.  “I think it's still a work in progress.  We've had some good moments and we've had some really bad moments.  I think every week it's going to be we're hoping to get better.  We keep telling the girls be a better version of yourself every day and that's what we have got to keep saying.  We didn't make any goals as far as wins or anything like that.  We just want to get better every moment, so we'll see,” he said.

          The opener is always a little different.  Rickert says the girls can’t wait to play, but they can’t be too hyped.   “It's such a good atmosphere down at Clear Fork.  They always have a good student section and being the opener and I'm sure the girls will get excited.  We just can't get them too over excited where they’re over hyped and they are throwing the ball all over the gym,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “I mean practice gets to you and basketball's a long season and you kind of want to see where you're at.  Again, I want to see where we're at in week six compared to where we are right now.”

          Clear Fork was the “MOAC” runner-up last year and advanced to the division V regional tournament.

          Rickert says this year they are really loaded.  “Well, they’re really good.  First of all, they're really well coached.  They're a disciplined team.  They do so many good things.  They don't do a lot of things, but what they do, they do really well.  They get after it, they play hard, they've got ball handlers, they've got a new girl that moved in that shoots the ball really well.  They're just really tough.  They're about eight deep and they keep coming at you.  You have got to be prepared for their pressure and you have got to be prepared for the halfcourt pressure and see what you do to them.  As far as the opener it’s quite a test,” said Rickert.

Published 11/19/25

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Madison Going to Push it

          Madison has some potential this season as they have a lot of experience and some talent too.

          Second year coach Davey Hipp says they are returning a number of players that saw time for the Rams last year.  “We have a lot of guys coming back from last year.  We're pretty senior heavy.  We have seven seniors coming back and five of them played last year.  We had a couple juniors too, a couple guys who got in and got some time last year.  A sophomore, a couple of young guys have a chance to help out too.  So, we have a big diverse group, but senior heavy,” said Hipp.

          Hipp says he feels like they are ahead of where they were last season and they have put a lot of work in.  “I mean just me in general getting to a new school last year.  This year we are already ahead of the game.  We had a great summer, great off season.  We went to a bunch of camps.  We had 30 guys in the summer showing up and working hard a lot of days.  Now, on November 1 we got right to it.  So, fell like we're way ahead of where we were last year and years prior, so we're ready to go,” he said.

          Madison’s non-conference games at the beginning of the season against Shelby and Galion have been rescheduled due to football.  Their opener we now be in league play against New Philadelphia on December 5.

          Hipp says to be ready for the season they have to talk better.  “Just normal things for us.  We work a lot communication wise.  I think we have got to get better at communicating with each other defensively especially.  A lot of things in the full court we are working on,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “We have got a quick, fast team, so we're going to play fast.  We will be fun to watch, but that comes with a lot of challenges with communication and taking care of the ball.  So, little simple things that we work on every day.”

Published 11/18/25

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Madison a Work in Progress

          Athletic Director Doug Rickert is now girls’ basketball coach at Madison. His third coaching assignment at his alma matter.

          In the past he had successful stints as both baseball and boys’ basketball coach for the Rams.

          Preseason camp started last Friday and Rickert says the goal is to get better at what they want to do.  “Well, it's too early to tell to be honest with you.  We've really got to continue to just work on being our best and see what we can do.  I'm a big Notre Dame fan and I love Marcus Freeman and he brought up a good point.  He said we really just have got to be the best at what we do.  We have to worry about ourselves you know and being the best version of us that we can be.  That's what we keep talking about.  Let's do that first.  Let's just get better in all aspects of the game and if we can continue to do that then we will be a nice team,” said Rickert.

          Rickert says team chemistry and a good worth ethic are things they must have.  “Everybody wants to talk wins and losses anymore.  Can you win this many games? Can you do this, I don't know.  The biggest question is can we get better.  Can we come together as a team, can we root for each other to get better, and can we continually work hard.  Do we know what work hard means.  There's a lot to it,” he said.

          Rickert says scrimmages are important to find out who you have got that can play at this level.  “It is always nice to go against somebody else that's doing something different than you're doing.  They're playing a different style defense than you're accustomed to in practice or their offense is a little different than what you're used to,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “That's a big part of it.  Then you want to see kids under some type of pressure and you want to see what they're going to do and how they're going to respond to pressure.  It's easy to go to the gym and shoot by yourself, it's easy to play against kids you know, but when you're playing against somebody else you get this feeling of who could really step up when the lights are on.”

Published 10/28/25

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Madison Must be Fundamental

          Madison will be across town for the annual “Battle of Mansfield” against the Mansfield Senior Tygers on Friday night in Ohio Cardinal Conference play.

          They fell last week to conference co-leader Lexington (49-17) in “OCC” play.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says his kids never quit, but the Minutemen were just better than them.  “I thought it was going to be a like a game that we were going to have to play at a really high level in and execute.  Even when you do some things right, I thought Lexington had some talent and some guys that were able to make some plays and do some things that just causes some issues.  They are a senior led football team that I think is going to play a really good game against Ashland this week for a conference title.  They have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.  So, credit to them for their performance and they just they outplayed us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They were just a big challenge.  I was proud of our kids.  They didn't give up and continued to fight.  We talked to them at halftime.  We kind of had a silly turnover there right at the end of the half that led to another score that really just kind of was a punch in the gut.  We just challenged them to respond in the second half and try to come out and be as competitive as we could.  So, they stepped up to that challenge.  Not the result we wanted.  We want to be a competitive football team every Friday night.  I was at least proud of the fact that they continued to battle and excited to get ready to go this week.”

          Madison (2-7,1-4) plays at Mansfield Senior (1-8,1-4) on Friday night.  The Tygers lost (44-12) to Canton Glenoak in non-conference game.

          Johnson says like every year, the Tygers have big playmakers.  “I mean they're just a team that they have athletes kind of all over the place across their offense.  A big offensive line.  So, with them there's always that potential for them to strike with a big play over the top.  They play two different guys at the quarterback spot.  The primary quarterback, a sophomore, has the ability to sling it deep.  So, we just have to be prepared again to try and limit the big plays in that aspect of the game.  They like to do a lot of trick plays and things like that too.  So, limit those things as well to make sure we are assignment sound and our eyes in the right place to give us the best chance to slow them down when they have the ball,” said Johnson.

          Johnson says they also must be fundamental on offense too too.  “Defensively, they have always been one of those defenses that tries to create chaos, tries to play fast and moves their front around.  So, again on both sides its going to be really important that we focus on execution and being the best Madison team we can be to try to get the job done Friday in the “Battle of Mansfield,” he said.

Published 10/22/25

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Madison Must Limit Big Play

          Madison will play at home against crosstown rival Lexington in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          Right now, the Minutemen share first place in the “OCC” with the Ashland Arrows.

          Last week, Madison dropped a (32-17) decision to the Dover Crimson Tornadoes.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says their execution was lacking in the fourth quarter.  “It was a competitive game.  I think Dover came out and did some really nice things early and we kind of took their punch and went down 12-0 early, but were able to whittle away at the lead and got it back to 18-14 at the half.  The second half we came down and kicked a field goal to make it 18-17.  From that point on it was just a little bit of lack of execution, big play here for them and we just were not able to punch it in,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We have got to do a better job as a staff to find ways to score there late in the fourth quarter to kind of give ourselves a chance to maybe be able to take over that lead late.  They just did a really nice job defensively, so credit to Dover and we have got to get better from that opportunity that we had.”

          Madison (2-6,1-3) is at home for Lexington (7-1,4-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, on Friday night.  The Minutemen took out New Philadelphia (44-20) last week.

          Johnson says they can do a lot of things well, especially make big plays.  “Just a ton of respect for their players.  They have got guys all over the place, which is obvious if you're a Richland County person and you see it all in the news.  For us, it's just got to be a really big focus on what's the game plan and how we are going to go about attacking them on both sides of the ball.  Being really good in the special teams game and trying to prevent their big plays.  They have the ability to be physical and grind it out, but they also just make some really big plays in the passing game,” he said.

          Johnson says they must force Lexington to be physical.  “For us defensively it's got to be a big focus on limiting those big plays and trying to prevent them and then forcing it to kind of be a knockdown, drag out, physical football game.  Again, just ton of respect for them and their players and coaches.  The quarterback is extremely special.  Plays really well on both sides of the ball and that's what stands out to me most.  I'm really impressed with him.  So, we're excited for the challenge.  It’s senior night for us.  Our seniors get one last opportunity over there on Esley Lane and we want to go out with a fight,” said Johnson.

Published 10/15/25

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Madison Making Progress

          Madison makes the trip to Dover for a non-conference game on Friday night.

          They lost (35-21) to New Philadelphia in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game last week.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says they definitely did some good things, just not enough of them.  “Our kids battled, they played really hard.  It was exciting to kind of see us start to move the ball a little bit with our run game.  Our senior running back Kaleb Gordon, who's kind of dealt with some injuries throughout the year, was healthy early, but it was almost like a day-to-day on whether or not he was going to be able to go.  He finally seemed to find his gear.  I think over the last couple of years he's a guy that has impacted games, but he's just been really unfortunate with injuries.  When he's out there he definitely is just a big threat that makes our team look a little different.  I was excited that our offensive line was executing a lot better than they had in the previous week as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “The combination of those two things.  We were pretty physical up front.  Credit to New Philly.  It was 7-7 with a couple minutes left in the half and they popped the big fade for a touchdown.  Then we were kind of being aggressive and they forced a turnover and scored as time expired in the half.  It was 21-7 just like that.  Our kids continue to battle.  It was like 21-14 and then we just couldn't get that stop and they went up.  It was just back and forth, really physical game by both teams, but again there's a lot of good and a lot of things that I think that we can look at and grow from moving into this week against Dover.”

          Madison (2-5) is at Dover (2-5) on Friday night.  The Tornadoes belted Wooster (42-14) last week.

          Johnson says they have some youth, but this is a program that’s used to winning.  “It’s a storied program.  Those kids are used to winning and I know that you know a lot of people look at the record and they've only got two wins this year, but they played some really good teams and they've been really competitive in some of these games.  So, it's definitely going to be a challenge for us.  I think offensively they're playing some young guys.  They've dealt with some injuries as well.  A sophomore quarterback has done a really nice job facilitating the ball and he's got some nice threats on the outside that are really good in the screen game,” said Johnson.

          Johnson says they want to force the issue on defense.  “Definitely a big focus for us this week is going to be being aware of where their guys are and trying to force the issue on stopping the screen and making them uncomfortable and maybe have to do some things that they aren't necessarily planning on doing coming into this game.  So, it's a big challenge and they're really well coached, they play hard, kids are just they're getting after us and we're excited for the challenge,” he said.

Published 10/09/25

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Madison Working Hard on Being Better

          Madison plays host to New Philadelphia in action in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Friday night.

          Last week, they lost (38-7) to defending “OCC” champion Ashland.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says Ashland is really good and their own mistakes didn’t help them.  “We knew going into that one they were really solid team and we had to do some things to try to slow down that offense they've been putting points up week after week.  The focus was also on us making sure we're taking care of the football and kind of failed to do that at times and as a program we just have got to make sure that we learn from our mistakes and continue moving forward.  This is New Philly week, but ton of credit to Ashland.  They played great and we have got to pick the pieces up and keep rolling,” he said.

          Johnson says they have to keep battling to become a better team and he believes the kids are doing that.  “Obviously we want to win and that's important to our kids.  We want to go out and play our best that we can for our community each week, so there's definitely going to be frustration.  After the game Friday I’ll told the guys it's got to be about us sticking together and continuing to try to get better at executing and doing what we need to do to win football games,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Also understand that we played two really good teams back-to-back weeks with Ashland and West Holmes the week before and we have got another good opponent coming up this week.  So, “OCC” football man, you can't let the frustration and anything like that stay in your head for too long before you just move on shift gears learn from it and get ready to compete another week.”

          Madison (2-4,1-2) hosts New Philadelphia (3-3,2-1) on Friday night.  The Quakers hammered Linsey (WV) 49-7 last week in a non-conference game.

          Johnson says New Philadelphia has a lot of talent.  “They have got you know some nice players offensively.  A couple good running backs, the quarterback is doing some nice things for them.  They have got a receiver, #9, that can absolutely fly.  I think he runs 10 something in the 100.  When you start talking about that, you definitely have got to be aware of where he's at all times.  Defensively, they're just extremely sound I think in all levels.  So, execution has got to be the key going into a game against a team like that.  They've been in their system and they know what it is that they need to do to be successful.  So, just credit to their coaching staff and their kids and we're excited to compete with them on Friday night,” said Johnson.

Published 9/30/25

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Madison Faces Talented Ashland

          Madison makes the short trip to Ashland to take on the Arrows in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, things kind of got away from them in the season half and they lost (35-0) to West Holmes in conference play.

          Coach Kobi Johnson was most pleased with how physical they played.  “I thought our guys stepped up in regards to like physicality that we knew we were going to have to play with.  They were a physical team and they have a couple really good running backs.  So, there in the first half we did a nice job of kind of matching that physicality and I was really proud of that.  Thought we tackled really well.  A couple big plays and they scored right at the end of the half to go up 14-0.  I thought looking at the film we didn't take advantage of some of the things we could have offensively there in that first half that maybe would have gained a little bit of momentum for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Overall, I think just looking away from the game and kind of taking a step back.  I was proud of the physicality and that's something that we have to continue with and then just clean up that offensive execution and put some points on the board and give ourselves a chance to keep that score nice and tight going into the fourth quarter.”

          Madison (2-3,1-1) is at Ashland (5-0,1-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, on Friday night in the “OCC”.  Ashland beat Dover (42-7) in non-conference play last week.

          Johnson says the Arrows just have a lot of players that can make big plays.  “Well, I think they have a lot of really good skill players.  They're pretty talented with a lot of guys coming back.  Then you put a guy like (Nathan) Bernhard there to be able to facilitate the ball.  He's running it really well this year, he’s really solid player and it kind of all revolves around him.  Their offensive line does a nice job.  So, just a good challenge for us and we're excited to kind of match up with them and just compete.  It’s a conference game and selling to our guys every conference game is got to be the biggest one go out and compete our butts off, so excited,” said Johnson.

          Johnson says they have to show Bernhard a lot of different things.  “You have got to give him a lot of different looks and do everything you can to kind of change the picture of what he's seeing from the defense.  Then you have got to be concerned with him taking off and running.  He's running the ball a lot more designed runs this year as well.  Coach (Scott) Valentine and their staff do a really nice job.  Defensively, they have got a lot of talent too.  You have got the Lacey kid at inside linebacker that has just been making tackles for what feels like forever now.  Just got a lot of respect for them on both sides of the ball.  Excited to get to compete,” he said.

Published 9/24/25

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Madison Wants to be Stacking

          Madison entertains the West Holmes Knight in Ohio Cardinal Conference action on Friday night.

          They got “OCC” play started last week with a (28-17) win over the Wooster Generals.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says they were able to play a full game.  “I am excited to see the growth out of our guys.  Definitely showed some improvements from the week before.  Again, just as we continue to try to change the culture here being a resilient, mentally tough group.  That’s the stuff we talk about all the time.  When we do get down being able to continue to fight and understand that it's 48 minutes of football regardless of situation.  We have got to play for all 48.  Typically, if you do that it's going to leave you at a good spot at the end of the game,” he said.

          Madison (2-2,1-0) hosts West Holmes (3-1,1-0) on Friday.  The Knights buried Mansfield Senior (45-6) in their league opener.

          Johnson says they are physical and run the ball very well.  “They have two really good running backs that both stand out.  They're both seniors this year.  They ran those guys quite a bit against us last year too.  The (Lynn) Cline kid is really solid, pretty impressed with him.  For them, it starts up front.  I think their coaches do a really good job of kind of preaching to play a physical brand of football on both sides of the ball.  They’re just really a quality opponent that does things right.  You can tell they're a fundamentally focused team.  So, excited to be able to line up and play against those guys and see where we end up,” said Johnson.

          Madison has not won two straight “OCC” games snice 2015.

          Johnson says they want to develop a winning attitude.  “We preach to our guys it's about winning.  You want to develop kids, and develop standards, and a culture that everybody in our community can be proud of, but at the end of the day winning is what it's about,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “We want all the guys in our program care about winning and value winning because I think if you're a competitive person it does translate well to life.  So, we always want more and our goal is to try to compete at a high level and execute, be fundamentally sound, tackle, block, and just do all the things that it takes to hopefully get ourselves into this situation start stacking them here in conference play.”

Published 9/19/25

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Madison Moving on

          Madison will be down U.S. Route 30 at Wooster on Friday night to play the Generals in Ohio Cardinal Conference action.

          After beating River Valley on week two, the Rams (1-2,0-0) were destroyed (57-6) by Ontario in a non-conference game.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says Ontario had an answer for everything they did.  “It was a tough night for us.  There was a lot of excitement built up around that game with us beating River Valley the week before.  We wanted to go over there and perform and things kind of got away from us early.  We preach to our kids about being mentally tough and being able to stay resilient in those situations, but credit to Ontario they made a bunch of plays and really just kind of put the foot on us a little bit as we tried to gain some momentum and get back into it.  You don't want to have those nights, but now it's all about moving forward and getting ready for Wooster,” said Johnson.

          Johnson says they can’t be looking in the rearview mirror, they have to be thinking about Wooster.  “We talk to our kids all the time about trying to get all the doubt of our minds.  We have got to go into each week confident and expecting to execute at a high level.  If you sit and dwell on it, it can launch you into the next week.  I think for us it's all about just focusing on the game plan for Wooster and being prepared to execute and tackle and do the fundamental things that you need to do to win football games and kind of get back to what we did against River Valley the week before,” he said.

          Wooster (0-3,0-1) was taken to the woodshed by New Philadelphia (42-7) in league play last week.  They had just 155 total yards in the game.

          Johnson says the Generals are young, but they have some talent.  “They have a really big offensive line.  They have the ability to move people. I know they're playing some younger guys just based off of film and looking at rosters and things of that nature,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Just because they're young doesn't mean they don't have some guys that can make some plays.  So, for us we have just got to really be focused on the game plan on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively and go out and execute at a high level and put ourselves in position, or at least the best position we can, to win that football game.”

Published 9/09/25

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Madison Must Create Opportunities

          Madison is across town at Ontario for a non-league game on Friday night on week two.

          They picked up a (20-7) win over River Valley in non-conference action.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says he was really excited for his kids, who have worked hard.  “Just extremely excited for the kids.  Emotions were high for everybody.  We're blessed to come out of there with a win and kids played really hard.  So, getting into that winning column was huge for us and hoping to build off of that heading into this week,” he said.

          Johnson knows that wins have been few are far between over the last several years for the Rams and he says it is nice to see them rewarded.  “You work, you put the time in and our kids have continued to do that over the last couple of years and to come out you know with a victory earlier in the season and what we've gotten more in the last couple of years I think it's just good for practice and everything.  You want to see kind of the work payoff and the kids got that payoff in week two, but we also talked about whether you win or lose it's also time to move onto the next week after you get through that film session on Saturday.  So, excited for another opportunity to go play Ontario this week,” said Johnson.

          Ontario (1-1) smoked Norwalk (36-6) last week in a non-league game.

          Johnson says the Warriors can make big plays and this week the Rams have to be able to make those too.  “I thought they were really opportunistic.  They blocked the punt, had a couple nice returns in the special teams game.  I think for us understanding that they're going to play quality football.  They're well coached,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Everybody talks about them being young, but they have good players and they have a good line.  I think we have got to take advantage of opportunities as well and create some.  It can't just be in the special teams game, whatever the case may be, we have got to be ready to go and create a little luck on our side on our own.”

Published 9/04/25

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Madison Focused on Improvement

          Madison will be at River Valley for a non-conference game here on week two on Friday night.

          They lost their first game (56-14) to Shelby last week.

          Coach Kobi Johnson says things just got away from them.  “I think they're really talented team.  We knew that going in and our focus was to kind of try to take an aggressive stance and go after them, but we didn't necessarily execute to the level that we were looking to.  They did a really nice job, really in all phases of the game.  They got off to early start.  We turned it over early and that kind of allowed them to get it going right off the bat.  We did show some signs of life there in the first quarter.  Went down and scored to make it 14-7, but at the end of the day against a team like if you put yourself behind a little bit give them a bunch of confidence to start things off.  We go after them with an onside kick and they just kind of made a really nice play there.  From that point on, it was kind of like the fireworks were going off.  They're extremely talented.  I expect that they're going to win a ton of games this year.  We just have to learn and focus on putting that week behind us and trying to become the best football team we can be here and week two,” said Johnson.

          Good teams improve a lot between game one and game two and Johson says that has to be their goal.  “We talked with the guys Saturday.  It's over with.  You watch the film, you try to learn from the mistakes and clean things up, but we're not going to be able to go back to August 22 anymore.  It's got to be all about the Madison Rams and making that growth from week one to week two, a lot of people will tell you, you can always say a lot about a football team and how much better they look from week one to week two and we have got to be fully focused on that,” he said.

          River Valley pounded Marion Elgin (42-15) last week.

          Johnson says again they have an athletic quarterback.  “They have some nice athletes.  Last year, they had the quarterback, that Chase Ebert kid, that had been there for a couple of years and before him so (Caydon) Shidone kid, just a lot of talent out there on the quarterback over the last few years.  This year kind of going into things you were like wondering who's it going to be,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Had heard some things that maybe a freshman, but then you watched their first game and they ended up getting a senior to come out to play football that had been playing golf.  He is still continuing to play golf, but he’s a really nice player.  He's a basketball athlete and he's doing some nice things for them.  They have some pretty talented receivers, good size in the trenches, so it's definitely a team that we're excited to see how we can match up with.  Head over there to try to compete at a high level and lay it on the line to hopefully get to the left side of the column.”

Published 8/26/25

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Madison Understands the Task

          Madison gets together with Shelby for their traditional opener on Friday night at Ram Field in non-conference play.

          Kobi Johnson was promoted from defensive coordinator to the head coaching position earlier this year and he says they are excited to play the Whippets.  “I think our guys have really focused on kind of cleaning up some of the mistakes that we saw in the scrimmages and really starting to shift gears towards executing what we need to do to be ready to compete against a really high level Shelby team on Friday,” he said.

          Madison has not beaten Shelby since 2014.

          Shelby is the defending champion in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference and return one of the area’s best players in Brayden DeVito at quarterback.

          Johnson says Shelby is more than just DeVito.  “They have got just talent all over the field.  You look at (Brayden) DeVito, everybody talks about him, but they're really solid up front.  I think they're all offensive line and defensive line are pretty solid.  Then you look across the skilled positions with the (Brady) Bowman kid and the (Michael) Shepherd kid.  There's talent everywhere.  So, a ton of respect for their players and their team and we're excited to match up against them and play Friday night,” said Johnson.

          Johnson says it is not easy to contain the DeVito, but they have to find a way.  “I think the big key is just trying to you know keep him contained, make sure we understand if he does break the pocket, who's responsible for helping to kind of slow down his scramble game, but it's a tall task for any team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday morning, “I know just talking to opposing coaches that's just something that you're going to have to deal with.  You're working in practice all week long, but it’s very hard to find a scout team guy to simulate what he's able to do.  Again, we've been working on it and our expectation is that we have got to go out execute the game plan and see where that leaves us.”

Published 8/21/25

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Madison Coming Along

          Madison is turning to an alum to turn its football program around and he looks forward to the opportunity.

          Kobi Johnson is now the Rams head coach and he says this is the job that he has always wanted.  “I’m an alum and I think that is the big key factor in the whole decision.  I've kind of been growing under the list of coaches that have been here over the past 10 years.  My end goal was to always kind to try to fit into that position and hopefully be able to just stay home in the community where I was born and raised.  I got that opportunity, so just extremely excited for the opportunity and try to turn this thing around,” he said.

          Johnson says the Rams have some potential, but he says there is a lot of hard work ahead.  “I have a pretty solid relationship with a lot of these guys.  Our senior group, I've been coaching since they've been freshmen and knew them when they were in seventh and eighth grade.  So, it's a class that I'm really excited for and I have got a lot of love for and then the underclassmen as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “There's some talent there.  We've had a pretty solid summer.  Guys have been working, pushing them, but overall, I just couldn't be more happy.  Obviously, tons to work on still, but we're heading in the right direction and just got to keep plugging away.”

          Madison will host Elyria in a scrimmage on Friday night.  They play Clear Fork next week.  The Rams open the season at home with traditional rival Shelby on August 22.

          Johnson says that the transition to him as the head coach has been smooth aided by fact that he has been at Madison.  “These kids kind of know who I am and what I bring to the table.  I definitely have an idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are, but we're still trying to compete every single day.  I tell guys there isn't a job on that board that isn’t for somebody to take.  We kind of have the mindset of let's get after it, let's compete, and figure out who our best 11 are going to be on each side of the ball, who are role players are going to be and just see where we're at come August 22,” said Johnson.

Published 8/07/25

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Madison Hammers Wapakoneta

          Madison cruised to an (8-2) win over Wapakoneta in a division III regional semifinal played at nearby Shelby High School on Wednesday evening.

          They play Holland Springfield, near Toledo, for a regional title on Friday.  Springfield outscored Aurora (11-6) on Wednesday.

          Madison would take an early (1-0) in first inning, but they kept adding on runs with three in the third, three more in the fourth and another in the sixth.

          Coach Tim Niswander says you can never be satisfied.  “Every run matters at this point in the season.  The more that you could give that cushion to your pitcher.  The more she has the ability to not have to be perfect and try and do the impossible sometimes.  She can just stand out there and relax and cut it loose and whatever happens, happens.  So, we want to get to 10 runs every game and we were pretty close.   We kept adding on.  We also left a lot of kids on base.  I didn’t realize we had 15 hits until the game was over.  We probably could have had more than what we did, but it was enough and we'll take it,” said Niswander.

          Caliyah Clapper and Campbell Kiser both had three hits and two RBI.  Addy Farris had two hits and three RBI.

          Madison won the outright Ohio Cardinal Conference title, but Niswander challenged them earlier this month to continue to improve and he thinks they are getting there.  “We played errorless softball again.  We've done that a lot lately.  When you've got a kid out there like Caliyah that strikes a lot of kids out sometimes you get a little bit complacent, you're back on your heels and you're not ready to go when the balls hit.  Our kids have been ready and they want to make sure that when the ball comes to them that they do their job,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “One of the things that we talk about all the time is playing to the standard.  Don't worry about the score, don't worry about the inning.  This is the standard that we've set for ourselves and that's the way we have to play all the time.  Right now, that's exactly what we're doing and we're obviously having great success.”

          Clapper gave up two runs on four hits and had nine strikeouts on the day.

          Madison (21-6) will be trying to earn its first regional title since 1995.

          On Friday, Niswander thinks they can ride their pitcher, but knows it’s going to be competitive.  “They're pretty good.  Obviously when you're in the elite eight everybody's pretty good.  They've got some power, they have got a couple kids that were All-Ohio.  Defensively they're solid all the way around.  It should be a really, really good game.  I think Caliyah is a little bit better than their pitcher, but their lineup is very solid all the way through.  That's not a discredit to their pitcher because she's also very good.  I think we obviously have a very good chance, but it's going to be a great ball game,” said Niswander.

Published 5/29/25

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Madison Takes Step One

          Madison will at least share the Ohio Cardinal Conference softball title this season as they edged Ashland (2-1) in an “OCC” game at Ashland on Wednesday evening.

          They lead Lexington by a game.

          A win at home Friday against the Lady Arrows will give Madison (17-6,10-1), #2 in the Swankonsports.com softball coaches poll in the large school division, its first outright conference title since 2013.

          Coach Tim Niswander says their defense on Wednesday was just tremendous.  “We were a little bit off balance at the plate, but the three phases of the game pitching, defense, and offense, sometimes one of those has to carry the others.  Caliyah Clapper pitched a pretty good game, but our defense behind her was just absolutely lights out.  We turned a double play pitcher to home to first in a bases loaded, no out situation, didn't give up any runs.  Made a diving catch in right field, made a diving catch in center field, and had a great play at second base.  Then our catcher Emma Stankovich in the seventh inning, I think they were trying to bunt and run and they didn't get the bunt down and we threw a girl out at second base and it was huge play,” said Niswander.

          Niswander says the game kind or remined him of days gone by.  “Defensively, all the way around our kids played solid and that helped carry the day.  A 2-1 game is like the good old days, but it sure wasn't much fun sitting over there on the bucket calling pitches.  I was hoping we could get a little bit of space there,” he said.

          Madison’s two runs came on a first inning ground out by Clapper and a bases loaded sacrifice fly by Cambell Kiser in the fifth.

          Now, Niswander says they have a decision to make when it comes to who to throw on Friday.  “The debate (Wednesday) night was do we throw Caliyah again on Friday.  Not because she's not going to be fresh.  She'll be fine, but we have to play them again next Thursday most likely in the tournament,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Do you really want them to see her three times in a week.  Her dad's one of my coaches and he thinks that we should throw off and I'm not so sure.  I asked Caliyah and she's like I didn't have my best stuff (Wednesday) and I'm pitching Friday.  So, she's ready to roar no matter what we do.  The goal is to get win again on Friday and have it outright and then get some practice days in go to work and get prepared for the district tournament.”

Published 5/15/25

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Madison Beats Mansfield in Nine

          Madison needed extra innings, but they beat arch rival Mansfield Senior (5-2) in nine innings at Arlin Field on Tuesday evening in a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          Coach Nick Melton says it feels good to get that first “OCC” win.  “I’ll tell you at this point of the season anytime we get a win it's a big win.  So, credit to our kids for sticking it out.  We had a long one (Monday) night with Galion.  We went eight innings and (Tuesday) night we go nine and fortunate enough to pick up the win.  Before we go any further credit to our guys.  They have kind of stayed the course.  It's been a rough couple weeks of the season here.  E.J. Fox (Tuesday) was an absolute bulldog and threw all nine innings for us, struck out 11 guys and scattered about five hits across the game.  So, I give credit to him and our defense showed up in a way that they haven't showed up this year.  So, just an absolute bulldog of a game from E.J.,” said Melton.

          Melton says Fox showed great leadership on Tuesday too.  “You could see it on E.J.'s face when we started the game.  E.J. came out and he was talking to every single kid.  It's a leadership piece we haven't seen really from a lot of guys or any guys yet this year and to see E.J. take that next step.  It is his a senior year, but you could tell at that moment that he was going to go out and have a special night,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “We had every excuse there could have been you know with the weather and we spent time in the Arlin Field football locker room where we waited out thunder and lightning and our kids stayed focused and they stayed the course.  It's great to be able to come out on top when you had everything going against you going into that game.”

          Madison (2-15,1-8) has had its struggles this season.  Included in those are five losses by two runs are less, two of those to Wooster.

          Melton says his kids continue to work to get better.  “We've had our chances in a lot of games this year.  Our kids have had opportunities where they could have walked away from things and they continue to show up and they continue to work every single day.  It is frustrating, but to see their attitudes and see them continue to work and see them rewarded on a night like (Tuesday) where we do have to play, as one of the kids said big boy baseball, play all nine innings, but to get the job done and see the look on their faces and see the joy in the dugout it was extra special and of course it means a little bit more when you do it against the team across town,” he said.

Published 4/30/25

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Madison Maintains the Lead

          It got a little scary at the end, but Madison beat West Holmes (3-2) on Wednesday night to maintain first place in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          They lead Lexington by a game and New Philadelphia by two.

          Coach Tim Niswander says they had some chances to build a bigger lead and didn’t.  “Caliyah Clapper had a perfect game going through six innings.  We had some kids on base, so we had opportunities to blow it open and we just didn't do it. Then they strung together there are only three hits in the game right there at the end in the seventh.  We scattered them around some outs, they scored a couple runs, but we kept that tying run off base and made a play and finally got out of there with a win,” he said.

          On Tuesday, the Lady Rams (12-2,7-1) won (15-0) at West Holmes.

          Niswander says there are definitely things they can improve.  “It was definitely nice to get two wins.  It was nice that (Tuesday)we can relax a little bit during the game and just kind of get through it.  (Wednesday) it was a little bit more stressful, but I told the kids at the end of the game.  I said you good teams find a way to win and great teams don't because they don't need to put themselves in that position.  So, we're a good team and we want to be a great one, so we've got things we need to work on,” he said.

          Niswander says they made some good plays in the field on Wednesday, but still there are things to clean up too.  “I told the kids that Caliyah threw a perfect game on Tuesday night and then she was perfect through six (Wednesday) night and she'll be the first one to tell you that the kids around her hit and that they made plays defensively and (Wednesday) was no different,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Campbell Kaiser at second, Izzy Wamsley at short and Lexi Lewis at third especially made just tremendous plays defensively.  We were solid most of the way around.  We just did some little things.  We made some base running mistakes and misplayed a ball in the outfield that came back to bite us in the end.  We were good enough to overcome it, but it's things like that.  I told them we can be really good or we can be great and to be great you're going to have to fix those.”

Published 4/24/25

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Madison Gets Lexington

          Madison took a two game lead in the Ohio Cardinal Conference with a (2-0) win at Lexington on a cold and windy Tuesday evening in North Central Ohio.

          Coach Tim Niswander calls a huge win for them.  “We've told the kids all along that the week against New Philly and then the week against Lex we're going to decide the league.  Last week we played New Philly in one game we've got them again in a makeup game this Friday.  We beat them and then (Tuesday) night we beat Lex.  Lexington and New Philly split, so now we are a full two games ahead of them.  We play Lex on Wednesday and New Philly again, as I said on Friday,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “This is what we told the kids all along.  This is where the league is going to be decided, so you've got to be ready to play.  We came out (Tuesday) night and we weren't the least bit intimidated I didn't think by the moment or by the pitcher on the other team.  Our kids were very confident.  They stepped up to the plate and really owned it.  They looked like a team that’s meant to win.  It's just one game, and it's a huge game, but it's just one game, and the game (Wednesday) is just as big.  So, we got to come out and play well again.”

          Niswander says they got a good combination of solid pitching and excellent defense on Tuesday.  “Defensively, we played lights out.  We had a bases loaded with nobody out situation.  They hit two ground balls to third and we got the play at the plate and they had a routine ground ball short to end the inning.  That was really the only threat that we had the entire night.  We played really good defense, especially considering how windy it was.  Our kids did a great job getting under fly balls and making sure that they were secure with them.  So, it was a big night.  Caliyah Clapper had a two hitter.  We just keep running them out there and they just making plays and it's been fun to watch,” he said.

          Niswander says they also got some clutch hits too.  “We just bunched our hits together.  We only had six hits but it was the 1-5 hitters that got them all.  Caliyah Clapper, as I said had a great night on the mound, she also got a base hit and scored the first run on a flyball to right that was a single.  She let off the sixth inning with a triple and scored on a Emma Stankovich ground ball.  So, she had a really good night.  It was nice to see that that she made everything happen, but she'll be the first to tell you, and she'll be 100% correct, that the kids around her did their jobs as well.  It took a total team effort and it's going to take a total team effort to continue to play the way we are right now.  So, hopefully our kids rise to the challenge just keep getting it done,” said Niswander.

Published 4/16/25

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Rams Get Much Needed Win

          Madison smoked Clyde (11-0) in non-conference baseball on Monday evening in Madison Township.

          After seven straight losses to start the season, coach Nick Melton says it feels like a weight was lifted off their shoulders.  “Oh my gosh it was much needed where we've had a rough couple weeks for us where we've seen absolutely nothing going our way.  So, to get this one (Monday) credit to the kids for staying the course and kind of believing in the system and the program.  It goes to show that eventually those tides turn and we put it all together,” he said.

          Melton says the attitude the club has remained very positive even with the losses they have had.  “Last week is one of those weeks you want to forget about.  Even in some rough games you've seen the energy in the dugout actually continued to get better,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “I think even with those tough losses the kids have continued to buy in greater and greater with each day and (Monday) night to finally breakthrough and see the joy and the happiness on the kids faces it was a great night for the Rams.”

          Melton says things are going to get tougher as the week progresses with three very tough Ohio Cardinal Conference games to play.  “It's a tough week.  We've actually got three league games this week.  We've got Lexington on back-to-back days on Tuesday and Wednesday and then we get the fun travel down to New Philadelphia on Friday.  So, no slouches in either one of those.  We're going to have to bring our “A” game and probably even be better than what we were (Monday) in order to come out on top those three,” said Melton.

Published 4/15/25

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Madison With Big Win Over New Philly

          Madison earned a key early season win in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Wednesday night in beating New Philadelphia (6-3) in a battle between contenders.

          Coach Tim Niswander says the next two weeks are going to be big for them.  “We’ve told the kids all along that we feel like that the conference is going to come down to the next seven days.  Two games against New Philly and two games against Lexington.  This is step one of those four.  If things work out and we are still in the driver’s seat when these games are over, we still have to go take care of business.  I mean West Holmes they've been a thorn in our side the last two years.  They kept us from winning the league outright two years ago and kept us from winning a share of it last year.  They split with us the last two years.  Only two times they have beat us since I've been here, but they were big wins for them.  So, we obviously have to take care of business there.  We think Ashland is a solid team as well.  So, we're going to have to show up and play well against them as well,” said Niswander.

          Niswander says they have to take things one game at a time.  “Nothing is set in stone and there are no guarantees at any point in time.  We know that we have to go out and play our best every night.  We also knew that that New Philly and Lex in the top two teams in the league outside of us and we have got to take care of our business there.  So, this was step one (Wednesday) night and weather permitting hopefully we take step two (Thursday) just keep doing our thing,” he said.

          Madison (5-1,3-0) will travel to New Philadelphia (5-4,1-2) on Thursday for the rematch, weather permitting, which is shaky at the time this story was published.

          Niswander says their defense was a big plus for them on Wednesday night.  “Absolutely it was our defense.  We got hitting in the bottom of the order and then that's always a good thing no matter who you are.  Our top and middle carries us, so when we got some production out of the bottom we're going to be more successful.  Our pitcher Caliyah Clapper, who has carried us so far, did not have her best stuff,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “The kids defensively behind her just played super, super well all the way around.  All three outfielders made big plays, Izzy Walmsley shortstop made a couple of big plays, turned a couple double plays.  Campbell Kiser has been absolutely lights out at second base all year long and (Wednesday) night was no different.  They just kept pounding the ball to second base and she just kept beating eating everything up.  So, defensively that was the key for us.  We had some base runners on and we just kept making plays to keep those kids where they were.”

Published 4/10/25

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Clapper, Madison Blank Wooster

          Madison shutout Wooster (6-0) behind the outstanding pitching of Caliyah Clapper on Thursday evening in Ohio Cardinal Conference action.

          Clapper broke the Madison school record by recording 17 strikeouts on the night.  Coach Tim Niswander says Clapper only gave up one hit.  “We didn't make any errors and that's the good news and I guess the better news is we only had to field four balls the whole night.  Caliyah Clapper set a school record single game strikeouts with 17.  She broke the record that was set last year by Layla Osmun with 16.  She pitched really well and the kids played good behind her when we had to.  We didn't hit a ton, but we hit enough.  I think all but one kid in the lineup, maybe two, got hits.  We only have one kid with multiple hits.  They ran the bases well for the most part and we got some runs in on those hits.”

          Niswander says they knew Clapper had a chance to be special on Thursday.  “When she went out there the first couple of warm up pitches she threw the umpire walked over and goes how fast is she throwing.  I said well, she's hit 64, but I don't know if that's what she's throwing right now.  So, we got the gun on her and it was 63.  At that point, it was just we could work fastball-change up if that's really what we wanted to do,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “We threw a little bit of change ups in there.  We threw some curveballs and a couple drop balls just to work on some things.  When it push came to shove and it was time to bear down and get after it, it was fastball and let it rip and see what happens.  So, we gave up one hit.  Emily Boyd from Wooster got one hit in the sixth inning.  She only walked one kid, so Caliyah Clapper had a really good night.”

          The Lady Rams (3-1,1-0) play New Philadelphia in their “OCC” series next week in what will likely be a tougher challenge.

          Niswander says in this league you take wins anytime you can get them.  “Anytime you get a win in the “OCC” it's a good win.  Wooster has gotten a lot better and they're going to be a tough out for everybody there the rest of the year,” he said.

Published 4/04/25

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Ontario Downs Madison

          Ontario beat Madison (6-3) on a cold Monday in non-conference baseball action at Ontario.

          Warriors coach Mike Ellis says his team showed good improvement from their opener on Saturday.  “It's our first win of the year, so it's felt good.  I thought we played a lot better than what we did on Saturday.  Defensively, we played better, I mean we still have two errors, but we did play better.  Like I told you before, we're a team that’s a work in progress,” said Ellis.

          Perkins belted the Warriors (12-0) on Saturday.

          It was Madison’s first game of the spring.  Coach Nick Melton says there were good things, but not nearly enough.  “You have to give credit where credit is due and Ontario did more things right than we did (Monday) night and the score reflects that.  Their starting pitcher did a nice job of keeping us off balance at the plate.  We had a few guys compete at the level we expect, but not enough,” he told Swankonsports.com after the game, “I thought Ashton Taylor threw the ball well enough to give us a chance.  He also reached base in each plate appearance and that’s tremendous for a lead off guy.  We need more guys with nights like that.  The good news is we can do it again (Tuesday) with another chance to play ball and compete and we’re looking forward to it.”

          Madison travels to Wooster (0-1) to play the talented Generals on Tuesday in action in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          Ellis says the Warriors have to continue to get better.  “We're playing a lot of young kids and so there's a learning curve.  When you play that first game I think they're all nervous and stuff and then the second game they kind of settle in and it showed (Monday) night,” said Ellis.

          Ontario (1-1) will play at River Valley (2-2) on Tuesday in play in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

          Ellis says getting a win first was important.  “We start (Tuesday) and we play River Valley.  Last year, we were 1-1 with them and so it's good to get that first win and then try to carry it over to (Tuesday) night,” he said.

Published 4/01/25

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Madison Opens Tuesday with Hillsdale

          Madison is a less experienced softball team than they have been in recent years, but there is still talent there.

          They open the season Tuesday afternoon with Hillsdale.

          Coach Tim Niswander says they are younger, but the goals remain the same.  “We graduated seven seniors and then we lost another starter to an ACL, so we have a lot of new faces.  We are starting a couple of freshmen, but the kids that we have been working really, really hard and they're very talented.  I'm actually very surprised at where we're at right now.  We're way ahead of the game from where I thought we would be.  Our goals for the 13 years I've been at Madison have always been seen the same, to compete for a conference and district championship and that's not going to change this year and we think we can do both of those things,” he said.

          Niswander says tradition doesn’t graduate.  “I have got a couple freshmen coming in, but one of those kids has been in the weight room with me since she was in sixth grade and she knows the kids that graduated last year.  The kids that that graduated I've got a couple of them that are going to come back and run our scoreboard and do our PA this year.  We're really excited to have them back, but those kids, they're around and they make their presence known.  Not by doing anything other than they just show up and they're very encouraging and they want the kids that are new to understand that they're part of something bigger than what they may realize,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They're the legacy of the Sunny Literals from the mid 90s and the Melissa Carvers.  Their legacy is built on the backs of many former athletes and they want to do well.  They don't want to let the previous players down.  They don't want their tradition to die with them.  They're going to come in and they're going to work hard and do the things that we ask them to do and hope that that they can be the one that that leaves that lasting impression of a deep tournament run or hopefully someday even further and they'll be the ones that the next group of kids talk about.”

          Opening with a power like Hillsdale is what they want.  Niswander says they want to be tested.  “We try and play really good teams in the in the non league and Hillsdale's really good every year, so we try and play them every year.  The schedule that we have out there.  We play Dover twice and they have got two pitchers, one's going to Ohio State and one is going to Ohio University.  Mt. Vernon's not in the league anymore, but we're playing a tri with Mt. Vernon and Marysville, who's a Division I state power.  So, we want to get out and we want to play really good teams and challenge ourselves and make ourselves better so that we can do the things that we want to accomplish and compete at the highest levels.  If you're going to compete at that high level then obviously you can't just show up in the middle of May and hope to flip the switch.  You've got to play some people going into that and we've always believed that and that will continue to be our philosophy,” said Niswander.

Published 3/25/25

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Madison Seeing Good and Not So Good

          Madison has some things to work on before the baseball season starts in two weeks, but there is also confidence they can get it done.

          Coach Nick Melton says last week was kind of an eye opener for them.  “Last week was great.  We were able to get outside absolutely every day and spend a couple hours on the field.  The weather was so beautiful that we didn't want to leave.  We were able to get our first scrimmage in.  It was your typical first scrimmage where you see some things that you're happy with and then you see some things and you really need to spend some time on,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “That was really good for us to see our guys off the mound against some other teams and see our hitters against other pitchers.  So, it's left us scratching our heads in some areas that maybe we weren't scratching our heads before and maybe a little more positive about some other areas.”

          Madison heads south to scrimmage Cincinnati Princeton on Friday.

          Melton says he really likes the attitude the kids are showing.  “The energy of the kids, the effort of the kids.  The kids get along really, really well.  They fight together and I mean that in a positive way.  They're not fighting with each other, but they're fighting for the common good of the program.  We were down 7-1 in our scrimmage and I know it's not the end of the world if you win or lose those, but to see the kids fight back and get the thing at seven before it gets too dark was really exciting to see,” he said.

          Madison opens the season at home against Ontario on March 31.  Their first Ohio Cardinal Conference series is April 1 and 2 versus the Wooster Generals.

          Melton says he believes they have a lot of potential arms, but there needs to be some refinement there.  “You see some of the things situationally you can't prepare for as well until you're in a game.  My pitching staff I think we're a little bit deeper this year and maybe I thought we were a little bit further ahead going into that scrimmage than what we maybe actually were when we got out there.  It's nothing that I'm concerned about the won't work itself out here in the next two weeks before we start games.  Of course, we've been ironing those things out since last Tuesday when the scrimmage took place,” said Melton.

Published 3/18/25

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Attitude Strong at Madison

          Madison, of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, plays at Crestview, of the Firelands Conference, in non-league play on Tuesday night.

          They play Ashland in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          Even though the Rams have not won since December, they have lost their last 10 games, coach Davey Hipp says they are still engaged.  “It's been a while since we won our last one, but we've been playing really good basketball as of late.  The kids are definitely feeling better.  There are a lot of games that we lose by about 10, but in the fourth quarter we're down two, they have some free throws at the end and it kind of just gets a little bit of reach with a minute left.  The kids are playing hard and we're playing really good basketball, we just haven't been able to pull out a win yet,” said Hipp.

          Madison plays at Crestview (15-4) on Tuesday night.  The Cougars fell out of a share of the Firelands Conference lead when they lost (52-49) at Plymouth on Monday night.

          Hipp says the Cougars have shooters.  “They have got a lot of guys who can just flat out shoot it.  They have got (Justice) Thompson, (Tyson) Ringler and a couple other guys who can just get to their spots,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “They're well coached, they run through their sets.  They're a really disciplined team, so you can't ever take a possession off against them.”

          Madison (4-16,1-10) plays host to Ashland (10-9,5-6) on Friday night.  Ashland lost (68-64) to Shelby in a non-league game on Monday night.

          The Arrows beat Madison (72-51) on January 7 at Arrow Arena.

          Hipp says they have a good combination of players that can stretch a defense.  “They have got (Gabe) Baith and Paxson (Ediger), who can really light it up at any point.  Paxson had close to 40 against us the first game.  We had a hand in his face and he just making tit and sometimes it goes like.  They struggled against Shelby (Monday) night.  Nathan (Bernhard) had a good game for them. We have got to keep him off the boards.  He's a big fellow, so we have got to get an early box out on him,” he said.

Published 2/11/25

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Madison Still Learning

          Madison hosts West Holmes in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They are at home for Shelby in a non-league game Saturday.

          The Rams lost (68-42) to arch rival Mansfield Senior in “OCC” play last Friday.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they still suffer from inconsistency.  “Senior High is always a tough place to play, especially when it's Madison-Senior High rival game.  We played really well for two or three quarters and then a couple possessions here and there and it’s snowballing into a 20 point loss,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “It's kind of been the common theme of our year.  We play a couple of good quarters and kind of let it go.  So, something to build on keep improving.”

          The Rams (4-11,1-7) are at home for West Holmes (0-11,0-8) on Friday.

          Madison beat West Holmes (52-41) on December 17.

          Hipp says they can not take a win from granted.  “West Holmes has a couple good guards and they have the (Manny) Camacho kid, who is 6’7” and they rebound the ball well.  They're still looking for their first win, but they still play really hard even though they haven't got one yet.  So, we have got to ready to go Friday,” said Hipp.

          Hipp played and coached in the Shelby system and he admits Saturday is not just another game.  “It’s a little different obviously it's not being in being in different colors this time here in Madsion, but same old game, done already this year.  Just play a normal game, so nothing too different, but it is a little different,” he said.

Published 1/23/25

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Madison is Dangerous

          Madison takes its act to archrival Mansfield Senior for an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          It’s called the “Battle of Mansfield” and Madison coach Davey Hipp understands that anything can happen.  “It’s a pretty big rival.  I know it's pretty easy for the kids involved in the game to be ready to go, so you don't really worry about that.  They all know each other,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They know pretty much everything about each other.  So, it just comes down to when it gets about 7 PM on Friday, who will be get ready to go.”

          Madison (4-10,1-6) plays at Mansfield Senior (8-3,5-1), #1 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the large school division, on Friday.  The Tygers did get thumped (82-52) by Columbus Bishop Hartley on Tuesday in a non-league game.

          In the first game between the two, Mansfield Senior won (85-69) on December 13.

          Hipp says they know they can score.  “We scored almost 70 points, but when you give up over 70 you're always put yourself in lower chance of winning.  It's something we have got to work out and try to plan on doing better this game is really sitting down in the half court and making them work and also keep scoring the ball,” he said.

          Hipp says they are certainly the underdog in this game based on what we have seen earlier.  However, he thinks they are dangerous.  “Obviously people are going to count us out this one even if they don't know much they can see records, but especially in a rivalry game like this anything can happen.  My guys play super hard and we are figuring things out.  I think we're a dangerous team to be messed with right now,” said Hipp.

Published 1/17/25

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Madison Working on Shot Selection

          Madison is trying to get back on track as they travel to Wooster for a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Thursday night.

          The scheduling of the Cotton Bowl on Friday night forced the move to Thursday.

          On Tuesday night, Ashland smoked the Rams (72-51) in an “OCC” game.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they gave the Arrows way too many open perimeter shots, especially for a team like Ashland.  “We had a rough start to the game.  We gave them a lot of open shots to begin with. They had a couple kids who knocked down a lot of open shots.  They shot over 50 percent from three and we shot 6-35, so it's never a good mix,” said Hipp.

          Hipp says they need to get more quality shots themselves.  “It's definitely something to forget, but we talked about it (Wednesday) and just getting those green light shots, that’s what we call them green light shots,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Pass over good one for a great one and getting downhill, don't let them take us out of what we want to do.  You definitely don't want to reflect on it too much.  You're not always going to shoot like that.”

          Madison (4-8,1-5) plays at Wooster (6-4,4-2), #5 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the large school division, on Thursday.  New Philadelphia nipped the Generals (54-52) on Tuesday night.  They also lost (61-45) to Mansfield Senior last Friday.

          Hipp says Wooster has really good guards.  “Wooster is really good.  They have got a good guard in Brady Bowen and all their other guards can shoot it.  They're really well balanced.  They do a lot of good things and play hard the whole game.  They're a good team.  They knocked off Lexington.  I know they lost last couple, but they're still a tough team,” he said.

Published 1/09/25

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Madison Can be Flexible

          Madison will be down at New Philadelphia to meet up with the Quakers in Ohio Cardinal Conference action on Friday night.

          The Rams found a way to win on Saturday night when they rallied to beat Ontario (52-49) in non-conference play.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they made the plays when they had to make them.  “It was a really good win.  We battled back and forth all game.  It was probably really fun getting to watch being back and forth.  We eventually got some stops down the stretch and made a few buckets and it went our way.  The guys played really hard, so proud of them,” said Hipp.

          Madison (4-6,1-3) visits New Philadelphia (4-5,1-3) on Friday night.  The Quakers lost (49-43) to Ashland last week.

          Hipp says they are disciplined.  “They play hard the whole game.  Their coached well, they run a lot of sets, they will slow down.  They're a good team.  They have a lot of shooters.  So, we have got to be ready to go.  We have got a full week of game planning.  So, looking forward to heading down there on Friday,” he said.

          New Philly likes to slow the tempo down and Hipp says they can be successful in that kind of game.  “The good thing about us is we're pretty dynamic.  I think we've shown we can run if we need to and we can also slow it down like we have been recently,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We've tried to take pride is not being one sided either way.  I think our guys like playing fast.  I think they also understand that sometimes you have got to take the backseat and play a little slow and that worked out for us on Saturday.  So, I think we'll be ready to go.”

Published 12/31/24

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Madison Must Respond

          Madison will travel cross town to face defending Ohio Cardinal Conference champion Lexington on Friday night.

          The Rams (3-5,1-2) beat West Holmes (52-41) in their last “OCC” game last Friday.  They edged Clear Fork (49-46) in a non-league game on Monday.

          Coach Davey Hipp says they are starting to get some momentum.  “We have got two of our last three.  The kids starting to play hard and that's what we've been asking for is just seeing an improvement in the effort and these guys are really bought in and turned the corner,” said Hipp.

          Lexington (6-1,3-1), #1 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the large school division, edged Mansfield Senior (74-70) in “OCC” action last Friday.  They added a (75-50) win over Ontario on Saturday.  Madison is scheduled to play Ontario this Saturday.

          Hipp says the Minutemen want to make this an up tempo game.  “They do a lot of things good.  They play fast, that's their identity.  They want to get up and down.  They can guard in the full court.  Seven’s (Allen) is their guy, he’s super talented, but he’s got a lot of pieces around him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They do a lot of good things obviously and we have got to be ready to go on the offensive side and defensive side because they're so dynamic both ways.”

          Lexington often will put together quite a few runs in a game.  Hipp says they have to limit those on Friday.  “Those are going to happen.  You just can't let it happen too often.  You have to take your punches with those six or eight point runs, but then we got to hand them back too.  So, we have got to make some shots, get to the rim, get some fouls.  We can't let it happen too much or they’ll run away with it,” he said.

Published 12/27/24

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Madison is Improving

          Madison will be down at West Holmes to play the Knights in a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Tuesday night.

          They lost (85-69) to archrival Mansfield Senior in “OCC” action on Friday night.

          Coach Davey Hipp says he cannot question the effort of his kids.  “I thought the first half really put us down to start.  A couple things didn’t go our way.  We missed some open threes and gave up some open threes and we missed a lot of free throws,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “The second half we outscored them.  We won the second half.  Beat them by eight, but obviously have got to play complete game to get the win.  So, I was happy with how hard you guys played and I think we're getting better.”

          Hipp says they can build on the second half Friday night.  “We definitely can.  They never stopped playing and cut it to 11 ended up losing right around 15 point mark, so proud of those guys, but got to keep working,” he said.

          Madison (1-4,0-2) travels to West Holmes (0-4,0-2) on Tuesday night.

          Hipp says they expect a good performance from the Knights and they have to do likewise.  “They have got a lot of different guys.  They have got a 6’7” post.  They have got a few guards through handle and shoot the ball.  So, we have got to be ready to go on their home court.  So, we'll expect them to make some more shots than they usually do.  We'll be ready to go.  Have been preparing them this weekend and (Monday),” said Hipp.

Published 12/17/24

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Madison Needs to Take Next Step

          Madison has a tough assignment on Tuesday night as they travel to Norwayne, the defending champion in the Wayne County Athletic League, for a non-conference game.

          Last weekend, the Rams (0-3) lost to Wooster (64-46) in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday and (68-47) in a non-conference game against Mt. Vernon on Saturday.

          Coach Davey Hipp says the need to take another step forward.  “We're still growing as a team and there's a lot there's a lot we have got to get better at, but the thing about these guys is they work hard.  They're working hard 90 percent of the time now, which is what we've been preaching all season,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Now, it's time to put that together with some more complex basketball concepts and mix them together.  We're getting better every day, so I'm looking forward to keep going here.”

          Norwayne (2-0) demolished Rittman (75-25) in a “WCAL” game last Friday.

          Hipp says they must handle the Bobcats pressure.  “Norwayne, they play their butts off the whole game.  They get up an press you, they run a pretty tough diamond.  So, we just have got to be strong with the ball and get out of that first trap in the back corner, break it, and get some advantages.  We're ready to go.  It'll be a good test for us,” said Hipp.

          Now, Madison will play arch rival Mansfield Senior on Friday, but Hipp says their focus must be on Norwayne.  “You can't look past Norwayne.  Norwayne is bringing back some really good guys, All-Ohio guys.  They're well coached and they play hard, so you can't look past Tuesday.  Definitely looking forward to playing Senior on Friday and getting to that after (Tuesday) night,” he said.

Published 12/10/24

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Madison Still Learning

          Madison entertains Wooster in Ohio Cardinal Conference action on Friday night at Wayne E. Miller gym.

          They picked up their first win in the Davey Hipp era in beating Galion (47-42) in a non-league game on Tuesday night.

          Hipp says it put a smile on his face.  “It was really good to get out and watch our guys get a first win.  We played well.  We did a lot of good things, but we have things we need to continue to work on.  So, I'm excited and we're ready to go for the weekend now,” he said.

          Hipp says they need to be better ballhandlers and make sure they are making the plays to preserve that lead late in the game.  “Just some things that pop out.  At the beginning the game, we had a bunch of turnovers not jumping with two feet finishes, jumping in the air and trying to throw passes while we're in the air,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Just finishing the game out a little better.  We had a run of 18-5 run in the third and then kind of let it slip away, our offense shut down a little bit.  So, just getting more experience and in and closing out games and when we have got a lead.”

          Wooster played and won on Tuesday as well in beating Wadsworth (69-46) in a non-conference game.

          Hipp says the Generals can do a lot of things.  “They play hard.  They can sit down in the half court and play a lot of defense.  They got a lot of shooters, a lot of guys you can put the ball in the hoop.  So, we have got to be ready to go and ready to communicate and talk on defense,” said Hipp.

Published 12/06/24

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Madison Developing New Culture

          It’s a new era of boys’ basketball at Madison and the Rams are ready to get out on the floor and show what they can do.

          They will have to wait a little longer than they had hoped as their first game of the season will now be December 3 against Galion.  Their traditional opener with Shelby has been pushed back due to the Whippets and playoff football.

          First year coach Davey Hipp says they have been focused on working hard to prepare.  “November has been great.  The guys are really starting to figure out our identity and what we're good at and they have been working their tails off trying to lay that foundation for a new culture of Madison basketball.  Really looking forward to having people come and watch you guys get after it,” he said.

          Hipp says the Rams will feature some athletes that can do some good things with the ball and defending too.  “We have a lot of athletes that are good basketball players.  They can really score and sit down and play defense.  The culture these guys are really buying in and they come to practice and are working hard,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I think we will be pretty dynamic being able to shoot, attack, sit down and make guys work on offense.  So, like I said I'm excited to see everyone come out and support the Rams this season.”

          Hipp says he likes the extra time to get ready for the season, the players maybe not so much.  “Being a coach is kind of nice to get a little extra time to practice.  It's nice for me, I just feel like I got a little bit extra time to get myself and these guys ready to go.  They guys are ready to go, I’m sure.  We scrimmage (Tuesday) and scrimmaged last week, so we might have to add a little something that next week so they're not going crazy playing against each other and listen me talk to them all day long.  So, yeah they're ready to go,” said Hipp.

Published 11/19/24

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Madison Wants Good Memory

          It’s Madison at home for rival Mansfield Senior in the latest installment of the “Battle of Mansfield” at Ram Field on Friday night.

          It hasn’t been a good season for either as they both carry (1-8) records into the game.  Each has one “OCC” win.  Madison beat Wooster and the Tygers edged New Philadelphia in overtime.

          Last week, Madison lost another heartbreaker (14-7) to Lexington.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they couldn’t come up with that one play.  “Luck hasn't gone our way down the stretch in a couple of these games.  You have got to be able to finish.  They hit a screen pass later in the game with 12 seconds left and that ended up being the difference of the game.  We had our opportunities, but we just never connected on those opportunities.  We just have to finish those games out,” said Besancon.

          When it comes to Mansfield Senior, Besancon says they again have speed and quickness and they have outstanding play on their defensive line.  “They have a lot of athletes and team speed as usual.  Their defensive line really gets off the ball and gets after people and gets a lot of pressure on the quarterback,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I think that's what stuck out the most.  You throw out any kind of records when you're playing these last games and rival games and stuff like that, so it's going to be a good battle I think.”

          Besancon says Friday night is an opportunity to make some good memories.  “No matter how your season is going you're ending on the game like this.  It's a game that especially for your seniors is going to be their last memory.  You just want to send those seniors out the right way and this game right here should be a lot of fun,” he said.

Published 10/24/24

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Madison Excited to Play Lexington

          Madison will be across town to face Lexington in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They lost (35-3) to future “OCC” member Dover last week.

          Coach Brent Besancon says playing Lexington, and then Mansfield Senior next week, has the players attention.  “We've only got one win on the season, but the kids have been really good so far this week in practice and it holds their interest when they're going against some league opponents that you'd consider rivals,” he said.

          Madison (1-7,1-3) is at Lexington (4-4,3-1) on Friday night.  The Minutemen fell out of a share of first place in the “OCC” last week when they lost (29-13) at New Philadelphia.

          Besancon is really impressed with Lexington quarterback Joe Caudill.  “Things run through their quarterback.  This guy, he's a good football player, just all around good football player, offensively, defensively throws the ball and gets yards after contact, he’s just a tough kid,” he told swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “You can't just worry about him because they some division one athletes out there running around.  Those things really pose a challenge this week.”

          With their playmakers on offense, the Lexington defense doesn’t get a lot of attention, but Besancon says they are really good.  “They are really sound.  Their quarterback plays an outside linebacker and they're just really sound on the both the front end and the back end of that defense.  They force you to throw the ball and have got some athletic DB's.  To me that defense really looks tough on film,” said Besancon.

Published 10/16/24

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Madison Has to Stay in Game

          Madison will entertain the Dover Tornadoes in a game in the non conference play on Friday night.

          Dover will soon be a member of the member of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, but they aren’t yet.  They have played West Holmes and Wooster this year too.  They will play rival New Philadelphia on week 10.

          Last week, Madison lost (35-21) to New Philadelphia.

          Coach Brent Besancon says it was their start that got them into trouble.  “I don't think that we were ready to play when we got there.  We had a slow start.  They are the type of team they get a little momentum.  They are quick guys and they just kept us challenged all night long.  Amazingly that score was closer than what the game actually was,” said Besancon.

          Dover (5-2) hammered Wooster (48-28) last week.

          Besancon says the Tornadoes remind him a lot of New Philly.  “They're very similar to New Philadelphia.  They seem to have a lot of team speed, especially on the defensive side of the football.  A quarterback that takes care of the ball and is really accurate with his passing.  Coach (Dan) Ifft been down there quite a while.  I have kind of followed him from a distance.  Just overall looks like a solid program and solid group of kids.  It's going to be a real challenge for us,” he said.

          Besancon says they can’t afford to get off to a start like they did last week.  “We haven't had a lot of wins over the years.  Things turned bad quick and it takes a lot to overcome it mentally for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We've held off and done some good things this this year overall, but it just seemed like once they got up a little bit it just kind of poured from there.  Even though we get some small momentum we could never make it stand.”

Published 10/10/24

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Madison to Play Tough New Philadelphia

          For Madison is seems like if they don’t have bad luck, they have no luck at all.

          They are at New Philadelphia in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          After losing to West Holmes (23-21) at the horn two weeks ago, they fell (33-27) in triple overtime to Ashland last week.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they want to win one of these.  “We really played hard.  I mean the kids can be proud of the effort.  That's two weeks in a row.  Dog gone it we just to win.  I don't want to say patient because we've been working hard at this for two years.  I would like to see those results in those close games go the other way,” said Besancon.

          Madison (1-5,0-3) visits New Philadelphia (3-3,1-2) on Friday night.  The Quakers beat Linsly (WV) (59-28) in a non-conference game last week.

          Besancon says the Quakers just do a lot of things well.  “The last two years I guess I've really been pretty impressed with New Philly and just their overall program and everything.  They look really good on film.  They've lost some tight ones and stuff.  So, they just look overall like very good solid program and the kids really play hard for them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They're far enough away I don't personally know a lot of their names, but you have got to respect them and how hard they play.  They're led by that quarterback and he just seems to make plays and a hard defensive football player too.  So, just overall tough kids down there.”

          Besancon says New Philadelphia isn’t fancy in the things they do, but they do them very well.  “When you look at the program they look like, that's kind of what I was alluding to, is they set their 3-4 defense and move guys around and they make it very simple, but their kids are able to play very fast and with a lot of confidence and they just do an overall good job,” he said.

Published 10/04/24

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Madison to Face Fast Ashland

          Madison will be at home on Friday night for the Ashland Arrows in a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          After beating Wooster (35-24) two weeks ago, they lost pretty much at the horn to Wester Holmes (23-21) last Friday.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they certainly had opportunities to win the game.  “It was a heartbreaker.  We had our opportunities and didn't capitalize on them.  It was just tough to see it go down to the wire like that and lose it in the end.  I’ll tell you our kids’ effort was just outstanding.  It's something to build on,” said Besancon.

          Madison (1-4,1-1) has shown improvement this year and Besancon says they are going to have to be a lot better this week.  “We'll have to be because Ashland is, they're undefeated.  They look to have no apparent weaknesses.  We're looking to get better on the practice field and carry it through and see how we do Friday night,” he said.

          Ashland (5-0,1-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, beat Maple Heights (37-20) last week in a non-conference game.  Their “OCC” win comes two weeks ago (17-14) over New Philadelphia.

          Besancon says their offense is multiple.  “Their receivers on the outside and just all around it's just a very fast group.  They run the ball effectively.  You think of Ashland you think of the spread and everything, but they run the ball very effectively and it poses a huge challenge,” said Besancon.

          They are led by quarterback Nathan Bernhard.  The 6’6” junior is headed to Penn State once his high school career is over.

          Besancon says the Arrows are fast on defense and they show a lot of different looks.  “It’s their speed.  Their defensive backs and linebackers run to the football and up front they don't seem to have any weaknesses,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “It's hard telling where they'll be from one play to the next.  So, they'll really keep you off balance in that regard.”

Published 9/25/24

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Containment a Goal for Madison

          Madison travels down to West Holmes for a meeting with the Knights in Ohio Cardinal Conference action on Friday night.

          They earned their first win of the season last week when they beat Wooster (35-24) in “OCC” play last week.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they responded well to adversity.  “Kind of in the middle of the third quarter we kind of had our backs up against the wall.  I thought the momentum had changed.  We had been up in the game and you know what the guys really rose to the challenge and that was very, very needed and nice to see,” said Besancon.

          Wins have been few and far between for the Rams over the last eight years.  Besancon hopes they have turned the corner.  “We've had our opportunities multiple times, and I'm going back to last year too.  Multiple times had that opportunity and we never rose to that challenge and it was just very, very nice to see.  Very happy for the kids.  It was a good team effort in all three phases of the game special teams, offense, defense it's just nice to see,” he said.

          Madison (1-3,1-0) is at West Holmes (2-2,1-0) on Friday night.  The Knights smoked Mansfield Senior (33-7) last week in league play.

          Besancon says Mogan Smith is an outstanding quarterback.  “They have the returning offensive player of the year and he earned it and he looks like it.  So, their quarterback is just a special guy and can make you pay with his legs and his arm.  It's going to take a team defensive effort to kind of keep him corralled in,” he said.

          Smith threw three TD passes and ran for two more in the Knights win over Mansfield Senior.

          Besancon says they need to contain him, but that’s going to be a tough job.  “That's easier said than done though because he's just so elusive in the pocket and sees the field so well, so it's a huge challenge,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Obviously, it starts on the outside trying to keep him hemmed in and kind of create a small field for him.  Everybody's been trying it and very few of them have done.”

Published 9/18/24

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Madison Looking for More Consistency

          Madison will be at home for they third straight week as they host the Wooster Generals in the Ohio Cardinal Conference opener for the Rams.

          On week three, Madison was handled (34-14) by the Ontario Warriors in non-conference play.

          Coach Brent Besancon says despite the loss, they did some good things.  “We saw some things that we did well.  We threw the ball pretty well and Andreus Adkins-Tolbert made some nice catches down the stretch.  We were able to do things, but not with much consistency and that's things you have to do for four quarters.  We did get over a lot of the cramping issues and things like that.  Things have been plaguing us for weeks before, so there's some positives there,” said Besancon.

          Madison (0-3) plays host to Wooster (1-2,0-1) on Friday night.  The Generals lost (28-7) to New Philadelphia last Friday.

          Besancon says this will be a very big team they are facing and one that is vastly different from last season.  “They have some very big, very big linemen.  I mean some guys out there 6’6”.  So, they're pretty intimidating.  They made a quarterback change.  I can't really get my hand on it yet.  They've made that quarterback change and moved some athletes to the outside.  So, just a little different look than things other people have been seeing,” he said.

          Wooster won last year’s game (27-14) at Wooster.

          Besancon says there could be more changes that they had to deal with.  He says they have to be able to adapt.  “Just how the weather kicked in changes game plans.  You adapt to the weather sometimes.  We had horizontal rain for a little while.  Things just change so quickly,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Like I said, we see a quarterback change and the young man started last year.  Now they've moved him out to the outside.  So, that puts another athlete out there.  So, you definitely have to keep your eye on some of the changes and make your own changes to accommodate that.”

Published 9/10/24

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Madison Has to Finish

          Madison plays at home Friday night against the Ontario Warriors in a non-conference football game.

          They led River Valley at the half last week, but ended up losing (35-14) to the Vikings.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they made too many mistakes in the second half.  “At halftime we were up 14-0 and felt really good.  Then you come out and you don't take care of the football and a couple stupid penalties here.  You blow a coverage against them and they'll make you pay quick.  So, we just have got to finish out a game like that,” said Besancon.

          Besancon says the players have to learn how to play every down in games.  “Obviously, the fourth quarter is most important.  So, that's kind of been our Achilles right now.  It's just putting it all together for four quarters,” he said.

          Ontario (2-0) is coming off a (35-21) win over Centerburg last week.  They beat Lexington (31-10) in their opener.

          Besancon says they have a balanced team.  “They got a pretty good quarterback that’s been recruited and going down to Ohio State.  I mean they don't base it around solely around him.  They’ve got a good line, a good running back,” he told Swankpnsports.com on Thursday evening, “Kind of a two headed monster out there on the offensive side of the ball.  Then they just seem big.   I mean just a bunch of big kids up front that move really well, so that would be a huge challenge right.”

Published 9/06/24

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Madison With a Different Challenge

          Madison has its home opener this week as they host the River Valley Vikings in a non-conference game.

          Last week, they battled hard, but lost (40-14) to Shelby, as the Whippets pulled away in the fourth quarter.

          Coach Brent Besancon says he was they were in the game with a very good team for 36 minutes at least.  “It was a hard fought game.  Really late in the third it was 21-14 as soon.  As soon as we scored our 14th point, they returned to kickoff and kind of took back any momentum we would have gained.  They were able to punch it in and go up two scores again instantly.  So, that was kind of a shot in the belly, but hey that's the way it goes, special teams are part of the game,” said Besancon.

          Besancon was very pleased with the effort the Rams gave in the game.  “The kids they really played hard.  We had probably had five or six kids go down with cramps and it hurt us quite a bit because we were kind of getting into a rhythm.  Then the other guys come in and they do a good job, but when they get in there, we lose that rhythm.  So, that was kind of a tough pill to swallow, but as far as the kids they played really hard and so all you can ask,” he said.

          Madison plays at home on Friday night against River Valley, who lost last week (41-27) to Ashland of the “OCC”.  They have an excellent quarterback in Chase Ebert.

          Besancon says they better be ready to play pass defense because they are going to see a lot of balls in the air.  “Well, the pace of the game isn't going to slow down any for us at all.  Our guys that had some cramps they better be ready to run this week because it's just a fast paced basketball on turf game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “The quarterback does a good job of spreading the ball around.  They're probably 80% pass.  So, it's going to be a little different challenge than what it was last week.  It was a more balanced look for Shelby.  This week it'll be pretty heavy pass.  Again, a very talented quarterback that can move around in the pocket, so it'll be a tough task.”

Published 8/27/24

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Madison Preparing for Shelby

          Madison will be at Shelby to open the season against the Whippets in non-conference play on Friday night.

          Coach Brent Besancon says there is always a lot of nervous excitement for the opener and that’s the case at Madison.  “A lot of the time you spend it on your double practices you just keep hitting each other and hitting each other and then you get some scrimmage time, but you know a game is much longer and it's just that that added element that hey they start counting now,” said Besancon.

          Madison is trying to rebuild a program that has been in the dumps for most of the last decade.  There were some positive signs late last year.

          However, Besancon says the preseason has been a bit inconsistent for the Rams.  “We haven't seen it all come together there's been pieces and parts and small times and we've seen where we left off last year, but we haven't quite put it together in our scrimmages to get back to that point where we left off last year,” he told Swakonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Seeing the pieces and parts it's there, we just have got to hone it in and get it together.  We’ve worked really hard this week and it's been a good week of practice so far, so hopefully we're there.”

          Shelby shared the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference crown last year.  They have not lost to Madison since 2014.

          Shelby graduated a lot of key players, but Besancon says they are going to be a very good team again.  “I went to their scrimmage last week and it's certainly a put together program top to bottom you could tell.  It just didn't look like a team that was rebuilding.  It looked to me like they were just reloading.  Their quarterback, of course, you're not going to do a lot with him at the line of scrimmage.  We all know what he can do, he is a very special player,” said Besancon.

Published 8/22/24

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Madison Working on Fundamentals

          Madison is trying not only to prepare for what they hope is a better season for the Rams, but also to continue to rebuild the football program.

          Coach Brent Besancon, in his second season at Madison, says he likes the progress they are making through camp.  “I think that so far we are headed in the right direction, but we just seem to keep getting dinged up a little bit, but that's a normal August,” he said.

          Madison opens the season on August 23 at Shelby against the Whippets in non-conference play.  The Rams have not beaten Shelby since 2014.

          One thing Madison is trying to do in the preseason is build some depth.  Besancon says you also have to have continuity.  “The kids realize that It's an opportunity for each one of them to show what they’ve got when they get plugged in, so you get a lot of different rotations going this time of year.  Obviously, you want to find some continuity and stuff and limit the different guys in and out, especially up front, but right now it's kind of par for the course,” said Besancon.

          Besancon says a goal of theirs between now and next Friday is to become a more mentally tough football team.  “I think overall the just the mental toughness it takes to play early in the year.  The heat, you have got to block all those things out and I don't think that we did a really great job of that last year and that's one focus,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “Always early in the year just your fundamentals of getting off the football, taking care of the football, tackling, those things up front here.”

Published 8/15/24

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Madison Wins Tournament Opener

          Madison got past Oregon Clay (3-0) in a sectional final in division I on Wednesday evening on their home field.

          They will play Findlay in a district semifinal next Tuesday at Bowling Green State University.

          Coach Tim Niswander says pitcher Layla Azmoun was again outstanding, allowing six hits, and their defense was just as good.  “The last couple days our pitcher Layla Azmoun has been just bringing up strikeout after strikeout after strikeout.  We had a game Monday and we didn't have that.  We played Clear Fork Monday and she only struck out five and defensively we thought we played really, really well behind her, which can be a concern when you have a kid striking out 14, 15 at night.  So, it was nice to see that.  I think (Wednesday) was almost an exact carbon copy of that except she pitched better getting the shutout.  She only had five strikeouts, but our kids played just absolutely phenomenal defense behind her.  The top of the order didn't hit very well, but the bottom really did come through for us.  So, it was a great all around win,” said Niswander.

          Niswander says the bottom of the Lady Rams order was big for them against Clay.  “Our eight hitter (Emma Stankovich) hit an RBI double off the fence.  Our seven hitter had two hits. Allie Shrader, Libby Bekeleski and Emma Stankovich were the ones that really carried us (Wednesday) night.  Even Kendyll Kershner, who was in the nine hole, had a hit. We've told the kids that at some point, the top is going to carry us and at some point, the bottom is going to carry us,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Hopefully, they'll be a stretch of games where everybody hits together and hopefully that starts next week.  We can carry that out for another couple of weeks.  It's really nice to get contributions from everybody and it's not just the same kids doing all the damage.”

          Madison (19-5), #2 in the Swankonsports.com softball coaches poll in the large school division, stands in a share of second place, with Mt. Vernon, in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, a game behind rival Lexington.  They play Lex next week.

          Niswander says right now they are a confident team.  “Our kids right now are so confident.  You could see it every game and every play.  There was a point in the season early on, about games eight or nine, where it seemed like we were kind of walking on eggshells and afraid to make mistakes.  We finally sat down and had a discussion that those are going to happen and we're going to lose our minds over that. We are just going to keep playing and once they realized that that was actually the case they have just been lights out.  Hopefully, they continue to play that way because they do look really confident and they look really good,” he said.

Published 5/09/24

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Madison Puts up Another Win

          Madison beat Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division champion Norwalk (8-3) in a non-conference softball game on Thursday evening.

          They have won 10 in a row.

          Coach Tim Niswander says their kids believe in what they are doing.  “The last couple weeks we played some really good teams, both in our league and outside of it, and our kids just keep rising to the occasion.  They finally figured out about two weeks ago what it is we were trying to get them to understand and they just keep executing.  I mean they're not doing flashy things and they're not going above and beyond they just keep grinding and getting it done.  We just keep piling up the wins and we'll take it.  Hopefully they keep piling them up for the next couple of weeks anyway,” he said.

          Niswander says their whole game is improved, but mostly on defense and the way they run the bases.  “The number one thing I think is our base running.  We have become more aggressive and less reckless.  We're paying attention to the things that are happening around us and trying to get extra bases, that's number one, and those translate into runs.  We're playing much better defense, much better defense.  We were averaging four errors a game.  We're down to one and a lot of these nights we don't have any.  Then as the weather's gotten warmer we started to drive the ball to the fence as well.  So, we're doing everything better, but the things that really stand out I think are the defense and the base running,” said Niswander.

          Madison (15-5), #4 in the Swankonsports.com softball coaches poll in the large school division, is a division I school this year.

          Niswander says they want to take advantage of their opportunities.  “Well, that was a mistake by the way, we are not supposed to be Division I, but the OHSAA refused to change that.  We play Oregon Clay at home, they're always solid.  We've got some scouting in on them.  Then we go to either Findlay or Wapakoneta and then Anthony Wayne.  Everything we've heard is when we are at our best we can compete with anybody up that way,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We hope that that holds and then we just continue to play as well as we have been and maybe we can make a run here in Division I and do some damage.  So, we're just going to keep plugging away and whoever they put out there in front of us we're going to do the best that we can and hopefully we can keep piling up wins.”

Published 5/03/24

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Mt. Vernon Not Looking Ahead

          Mt. Vernon holds down first place in the Ohio Cardinal Conference after getting past Madison (4-2) on Thursday evening at Madison.

          They lead New Philadelphia by a half game in the standings.

          The Jackets had beaten Madison (8-0) on Wednesday at home.

          Coach Nate Hunt says it was not their best performance, but it was good enough to win.  “It's showing up every day.  We talk week after week about the conference, about how it’s back-to-back.  I think it's just one of those things.  (Wednesday) it was cold and our bats were hot and (Thursday) was really nice and we didn't swing it as well as we'd like to.  Just kind of shows that you have got to show up every day and just kind of be ready to compete.  I thought Madison did a nice job (Thursday) of barreling (Kayden) Packard up more so than (Wednesday).  It's just one of those things, it's not the best team that that that wins it is the team that plays the best.  There were times when then we didn't play our best, but it was enough to do the job,” said Hunt.

          Madison (2-10,2-7) has been played better as of late and coach Nick Melton says he was pleased with what they did Thursday.  “I really couldn’t have asked for more out of our guys (Thursday) night.  I thought we played one of our more complete games of the year.  Liam Stone threw it really well for us.  He limited one of the best offenses in our league to six hits and four runs.  Offensively, we put the ball in play at a better rate, giving us better opportunities.  We even out hit Mt. Vernon.  We now need to find a way to collect a two out hit to capitalize on those opportunities,” said Melton.

          Jackets coach Hunt says they have got to focus on the task at hand.  “Sometimes they're ugly and sometimes they're great.  I think the conference this year it's different than it's been in the past.  We have two big weeks of four big games to kind of solidify the season.  I was talking to some guys about, who do have next week?  Is the first one home or the second one home?  I said honestly, I don't know, I'll have to go back and look because I'm trying to instill into our players, and to myself too, that I'm not looking at anything else other than what we're doing today,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “I can't tell you what Tuesday’s game is I'm not sure.  Because if you start doing that, I feel like I've been doing it long enough, that if you start looking past things and past teams and that's when you get beat.”

          Mt. Vernon (13-2,8-2), #2 in the Swankonsports.com baseball coaches poll in the large school division, will play West Holmes next week and then New Philadelphia on the final week of the regular season.

          Hunt says they can’t be thinking about that.  “I'm truly taking it day by day.  (Friday) we're going to practice.  Saturday we're going to play Licking Heights and then we'll look into the next week.  Until that time comes, I'm not going to deal with it.  It's where your feet are is right now our best mindset moving forward,” he said.

Published 4/26/24

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Madison Edges Mt. Vernon

          Madison picked up a key win on Wednesday as they went to Mt. Vernon and knocked off the Lady Jackets (3-2) in an Ohio Cardinal Conference softball game.

          Madison remains three games behind league leader Lexington.  However, they still have Lady Lex on the schedule.

          Coach Tim Niswander says Wednesday was a nice win for them.  “This group of kids has never beaten Mt. Vernon.  We are their biggest rival, for whatever reason, they're certainly not ours, not taking anything away from them because it's a big game.  I think part of the reason is because for a long time we pushed them and they pushed us and we're two pretty good programs and that kind of creates a rivalry a little bit,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Then coach (Ryan) Pentz and I are actually really good friends.  We talk a lot away from the ball field.  We do things here and there.  It's fun because he's my friend and I'm his friend but at the same time we're very much alike and we very much both want to win and neither one of us I don't think are the are the best losers to be around.  So, it's a good time because they're always well played games, they're always close games.  For the longest time they've kind of had our number and (Wednesday) night it was nice to finally get off the snide a little bit.”

          Niswander says it was a game of home runs.  “Well, they hit a two run homer in the bottom of the second inning and then Kyle Ryder hit a solo shot in the top of the third and then Ashley Markley hit a two run shot in the sixth.  So, that was all of the scoring.  Every run came on a home run.  They had a two run shot, we had a two run shot and a solo shot, so I guess the difference you could look there would be the one base runner that we had on,” he said.

          Niswander says the real difference for them was the pitching of Layla Azmoun, who was outstanding.  “The other part of it is Layla Azmoun was lights out again (Wednesday) night.  She only gave up four hits, she struck out five and didn't walk anybody.  So, she did a really nice job of moving the ball in and out, changing speeds, and getting a lot of swing and misses and a lot of miss hits that were pop ups or weak ground balls.  I guess if you have to point to one thing it would be Layla in the circle, but we had contributions defensively from a number of kids and it was a total team win,” said Niswander.

Published 4/25/24

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Madison Gets Past Huron

          Madison downed Huron (3-1) in a softball game at home on Thursday evening in non-conference play.

          Coach Tim Niswander says they got a couple of good wins on a week when they didn’t play an Ohio Cardinal Conference game.  “(Thursday) was a good win.  Monday against Elyria Catholic was a good win.  This was our week to play Senior High in the conference and they didn't have softball, so we replaced them with Elyria Catholic and Huron and that was a much more competitive game, both of those,” he said.

          Madison (7-5) has now won four its last five and Niswander says they starting to play better.  “We're starting to settle in.  We've got young kids in key spots and they're just now starting to figure out what we want and how we do things.  (Thursday) night was our first error free game.  We've gotten better and better every game I think as the year has gone on.  We took a little step back Saturday.  We beat Clyde 12-1 and then we lost the Eastwood the next game 5-3.  We really didn't have any business losing that game.  So, we are getting better, we're getting more consistent.  Our pitcher is starting to settle into a groove and our kids around her are playing good defense now,” said Niswander.

          Niswander says picking up games, like they did this week, is something that pretty common in softball.  He adds their still in the market.  “We picked up Fredericktown, who we've never played before, at least in the time that I've been at Madison.  We play them here in a couple weeks.  We picked Clear Fork up again on Friday.  We are already scheduled to play Clear Fork on May 6 and coach Clapper called me and said they had somebody dropped them Friday, you guys want to play?  I'm like heck yeah we do, so we're going to go down to Clear Fork on Friday.  Then we're still going to play them at home in a couple of weeks.  So, that's not uncommon at all,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We're still down two games.  We lost a game against Shelby.  We were supposed to play a doubleheader on a Saturday and we can only get one in.  Then we lost a game against Dover, so we're still looking for two games.  We're going to try and find somebody to fill those games where we don't have to drive all over creation.  A lot of the people that are hitting me for a game are Anthony Wayne and Bryan and we can't do two hours on a school night, that's just not going to work.  So, we're going to try and find those two games that we can pick up and hopefully they're competitive games and they help us get better and help us going into the tournament.”

Published 4/19/24

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Madison Nips Mansfield Senior in Eight

          Madison beat arch rival Mansfield Senior (2-1) in eight innings on Tuesday evening in play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          Rams coach Nick Melton says it was a big win for a young team.  “Extra innings and getting a win that's a huge win.  Hopefully, it builds a little confidence moving forward.  We are really young and I'm almost getting tired of saying it because the season is half over at this point, but starting four, sometimes five sophomores and one or two freshmen every night it is a really inexperienced group,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “One senior in Ethan Glasgow, but then you've got Ethan and Cameron Kuhn, they are guys that have played 50, 60 varsity baseball games.  So, it's a little bit of both ends of the spectrum.  Youth shows from time to time and it's one of those growing pains that we have got to get through.  We were able to eek one out (Tuesday) night at Senior High.  It feels good a little bit, but then it's right back to the grindstone and we see Senior High (Wednesday) night at our place.”

          Tygers coach J.R. Davis says they are disappointed, but still pleased with the direction they are heading.  “Very proud of the way the kids came to play.  We played a great game, but they made one more play than us and that’s what decided the game.  I’m happy where this program is going forward.  This one hurst for sure, the great thing about this game is there is always tomorrow,” he said.

          Madison (1-7,1-5) found some eighth inning magic.  Melton says they got busy with two outs.  “We got to the 8th inning and our first two hitters got out pretty quick.  Our nine hitter Grady Spurlock was able to capitalize on Senior High’s lone error.  Hit a ground ball and was able to beat the throw to first base.  Right there with the nine hitter getting on base and Cameron Kuhn coming to bat.  Going in, Cameron is outstanding this year, he was sitting .640 going into the night.  I know it dropped (Tuesday) night, but you feel really good anytime he's coming to the plate, especially with runners on base.  We were able to steal second base with Grady Spurlock and on the pitch Cameron hits a single so we go first and third.  First and third two outs your two hole hitter up even with two outs you feel comfortable in that situation and we were able to get that run across,” said Melton.

          Spurlock scored as Kuhn got in a rundown.

          Melton says the Rams pitching was outstanding all night, including the bottom of the eighth.  “One run was all we needed there to hold it in the bottom of the eighth.  We brought Ethan Glasgow in the eighth after E.J. Fox threw a tremendous game on the mound.  E.J. gave up four hits through seven innings and threw 78 pitches, I believe.  So, E.J. was just a warrior.  We bring in Ethan and he’s able to go pretty quick there through the eighth inning,” he said.

Published 4/17/24

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Lexington Blanks Madison

          Colton Murfield went the distance as Lexington shutout Madison (5-0) on Wednesday evening in Ohio Cardinal Conference baseball action.

          Lexington coach Jeff Strickler says Murfield was dominate and was efficient too.  “Colton Murfield was right on (Wednesday) night.  He only gave up four hits, threw 79 pitches I believe for the whole game.  Had 12 strikeouts and only one walk.  When you limit the number of walks you have a chance to win ball games,” said Strickler.

          The Minutemen (1-4,1-2) have some good speed and Strickler says executing the small game was important for them.  “The boys did a nice job executing the baserunning plays that we had on and did a nice job of bunting.  Just small ball was a big part of what we did (Wednesday), they executed very well,” he said.

          Lexington will play Madison (1-4,0-3) again on Thursday.

          Rams coach Nick Melton says they are inexperienced and at times they looked like it on Wednesday.  “We showed our youth (Wednesday) night in several key moments.  Give credit to Lexington as they took advantage of it.  Make no mistake, Colton Murfield pitched a really nice game for them.  We talked after the game that anytime we get a chance to play we have to be ready to go to battle.  No other team is going to care how many freshmen and sophomores we have in the lineup.  The good thing about baseball is we get a chance to do it again (Thursday) with a clean slate.  We look forward to that chapter and challenge,” said Melton.

          With all of their players back from last season, Lexington expects to have a solid season and Strickler says they needed that win on Wednesday.  “It was important that we won (Wednesday).  We lost all four games we played last week.  We played two really good teams last week and took our lumps from them,” he told Swankonsports.com after the game, “So, it's important that we went out and played well and we did.”

Published 4/04/24

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Madison Bounces Back

          Madison got a much needed win over talented New Philadelphia (8-3) on Thursday evening at Madison in play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference play.

          Coach Tim Niswander says they really tore the cover off the ball on Thursday.  “We hit the ball well all the way through the order and we hit the ball hard.  I mean it we drove the ball (Thursday) night.  We hit seven doubles, a triple and a home run.  So, we were banging it to the fence all night long.  Then even the base hits that we had they were stung pretty well.  So, we hit well through the order.  Still made a couple base running mistakes, which we had also done the night before down at New Philly.  Played much better defensively.  We had a lot of errors than right before as well as mental errors and mental errors on the bases.  The loss down there was just not a good night for us in really any vein,” said Niswander.

          The Lady Quakers (1-1,1-1) had beaten Madison (7-6) on Wednesday night.

          Niswander says the Lady Rams (2-1,1-1) execution was a lot better in the second game.  “(Thursday) night we seemed to turn the corner and do everything well.  Still made a couple of mistakes and we certainly didn't play perfect, but we did play much, much better.  Now it's just going to be a matter of can we consistently have that type of production in all three phases pitching defense and at the plate,” he said.

          Niswander says the “OCC” softball race is going to be a battle again this spring and Thursday night was a big win for them.  “New Philly, Madison and Mount Vernon all tied for the league last year and New Philly is the only one of the three of us that has everybody back.  So, we knew it was going to be a tough match.  We're getting tested really early right out of the gate with Ontario, New Philly, New Philly, Hillsdale and then we get Shelby if it doesn't rain on Saturday.  So, we didn't do ourselves any favor by front loading the schedule,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “The way the league runs, the top half of that league we're really going to have to play well.  Any win you can get against that top half is going to count.  Last year, we beat New Philly twice and then we lost to Mt. Vernon twice and then New Philly beat Mt. Vernon to help us out.  So, it was a big win and with them having everybody back it it's a big win at the beginning of the season.  You are kind of kicking yourself because you know you should have won the night before too and been on top of the league, but that didn't happen and now we just got to keep battling.”

Published 3/29/24

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Madison Downs Ontario

          Madison went to Ontario and beat the defending division II state runner-up (7-4) in a non-conference game on Monday night.

          Coach Nick Melton says Ontario is going to be really good again this year and that was a solid win for the Rams.  “It's a great win and it really doesn't have to do with what they did last year, but who they are this year.  They’re still a really good baseball team and (Monday) night to go over to their place on opening day for both of us at Ontario and come away with big win it's great for our program,” said Melton.

          Melton says the Rams really hit the ball pretty well against Ontario.  “It's seven runs on twelve hits (Monday) night and we hit from one through nine through our order.  So, we took advantage of some mistakes Ontario made and they did us as well, but anytime we score seven runs we feel pretty good about the outcome,” he said.

          E.J. Fox got the win Monday and Melton feels like this could be a breakthrough performance for Fox.  “We threw E.J. Fox (Monday) night and E.J. had a rough year sophomore last year, but he came out (Monday) night he made some big time pitches in some big moments,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “I can't be more pleased with his progress, the work he's put in.  He threw a really nice game and he got himself in some situations, but made some big pitches when it counted and was able to get the middle of their order out consistently.”

Published 3/26/24

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Madison Has More Depth

          Madison is going to have more guys that can pitch in a varsity baseball game this year and that’s going to be a plus.

          Coach Nick Melton, in his third year as head coach, says they will have a younger group this year, but one with some players.  “The last two years we've got some pieces, we got some building blocks, we're kind of going through that rebuilding phase.  This year was a little different walking into the gym after graduating six seniors and is kind of like we have got a bunch of fresh faces, but the kids have been working hard.  We've been blessed with some great weather here in Ohio for March.  We've been outside quite a bit, we got our first scrimmage in (Wednesday) night.  So, I'm excited to work with some of the younger guys and some of the youth here we got coming up at Madison,” he said.

          Madison will begin its season on March 25 against defending state runners-up Ontario.  Then the on the 26^th and 27^th they Play New Philadelphia in an Ohio Cardinal Conference series.

          Melton says he believes they are going to have more pitching this year than they did last year.  “You never have enough and I think I tell you that every year, we've we never have enough pitching, but I feel like we have more depth this year.  We lost Gavin Cates last year to graduation, he was our one, but we bring back two guys in Ethan Glasgow and Liam Stone that threw a bunch for us last year.  Then throw some other guys in the mix Bryce Brayden, a sophomore, EJ Fox is a junior and Logan Maves is a junior coming back out to play baseball, he missed his sophomore year.  I feel like we have more depth this year in the pitching rotation.  We don't have that ace that's going to go out and strike out 80 batters in a year, but just more guys that can eat up more innings for us,” said Melton.

          Melton adds that pitching depth is going to give them more options as this season unfolds.  “I feel like it's less of a chess match for us right now this year with more arms and the fact that okay we have got to shut this guy down today, so he can come back and throw this day.  I need this guy to throw that day and just the more arms we have the better off we are,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “The weather is going to play its toll here in Ohio at some point and force us.  When you start going back-to-back in league games and then you mix in a double header on Saturday and then coming back on Monday and you've got five games in six days and you have got guys.  Two guys last year to start baseball games and to make it through a 27 game season with three guys it's crazy, but the depth is going to be a luxury that I'm looking forward to this year.”

Published 3/14/2024

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Madison Trying to Learn

          Madison has a double weekend in the Ohio Cardinal Conference as they are home for Wooster on Friday and West Holmes on Saturday night.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says double weekends are always tough to prepare for.  “You start with Wooster and then you have got West Holmes coming up.  It's obviously a challenging week here.  I think both those teams are always competitive and always bring a lot of effort, a lot of energy, so it's going to be a challenge,” he said.

          Madison (1-17,1-10) plays host to Wooster (6-12,5-7) on Friday night.  The Generals have struggled lately too as they have lost seven of their last eight.

          In their first meeting, Wooster edged the Rams (51-49) on January 5.

          Armstrong says that first one was on they could have won.  “We went over there the first time and playing Wooster is never easy.  So, we actually hit a three with about 15 seconds to go to tie it up and unfortunately fouled a shooter, committed the cardinal sin there fouling a shooter, with about a second to play.  In fact, their best shooter in Bowen.  So he, of course, made a couple free throws,” he told Swankonsports.com Wednesday evening, “So, that was disappointing, tough way that to end the game.  We’ve played a lot of close games this year, so that was tough to take.  They are always good, they've got good guard play, they shoot it well, they've got some good big kids inside, so they’re certainly tough.”

          As an inexperienced squad, Armstrong says they are still learning how to win those tight games.  “There are no shortcuts.  We came in the year with a relatively young team, an inexperienced team and it is a challenge to learn to win those games.  Just making the plays when it matters.  Obviously, those possessions in the fourth quarter are magnified, but there are opportunities to make important plays in the second quarter and third quarter as well.  So, don't want to lose sight of that, but certainly there is extra relevance to those crunch time plays and learning how to get the stop and the rebound to clinch games,” said Armstrong.

Published 2/08/2024

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Madison Still Improving

          Madison heads up to Ashland for a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Friday night.

          On Tuesday, they fell (69-50) to “SBC” Lake leader Sandusky.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says they were in it until a fourth quarter run by the Streaks.  “We’re down eight at the half, it was 33-25 and our goal, we've kind of refined our goals, is win the next quarter, just really looking at what's it going to take to win a quarter at a time.  It's just really get granular in that way.  So, we actually tied the second quarter, third quarter lost by two, so came out and went from down eight to a one point game.  It's 39-38, we're right there and they went on a run.  A couple turnovers, couple second shots, and I think that's where they're really good,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “If you turn it over against them in the open floor, they're dynamic and they're so active all the offensive glass.  I thought the guys really, really battled.  We gave ourselves chances there, but in the end, I think we kind of wore out a little bit, gave up a couple of putbacks and a couple of turnovers that they cost us.  Sandusky is really good, I think the only game they have lost was to Toledo Whitmer, who's outstanding.”

          Despite a poor year when it comes to wins and losses, Armstrong believes the team continues to get better.  “It was a really good test for our guys.  I thought the guys responded well even (Wednesday) we went back and studied film and I think again the team keeps improving and keeps growing and they just keep battling despite difficulties this season,” he said.

          Madison (1-15,1-9) is at Ashland (7-10,4-7) on Friday night.  The Arrows edged Wooster (50-46) in an “OCC” game on Tuesday night.  Ashland beat the Rams (44-33) on December 29.

          Armstrong says the Arrows, with wins in three of their last four games, are a much improved team.  “After a little bit of a slow start, I think it's fair to say early in the year, they've really kind of figured out their identity.  They play really, really hard and I think their energy is fantastic.  Watching that New Philly game, I think it was last Tuesday, they were disruptive with their pressure and again it's not phenomenal pressure, I think it’s just disruptive.  They come at you from different angles and they just play really, really hard.  It's a team that's kind of jelled together and is doing a nice job.  They’ve got a really good point guard play with Baith and they've got Bernhard inside, nice size and again he competes.  So, I think coach (Jason) Hess really has that group competing and believing in each other.  Again, they've probably the two most important spots on the floor, they're pretty solid with their point guard and their post play,” said Armstrong.

Published 2/01/2024

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Madison Concerned With Lexington Size

          Madison plays Ohio Cardinal Conference leader Lexington for the second time this season on Tuesday night at Madison.

          On Saturday, Mt. Vernon downed the Rams (60-45) in a league game.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says they just got behind the eight ball early and could never recover.  “It was a disappointing start.  We were concerned about the three-point shooting specially from #4, one of their wings there.  I tell you what they had played New Philly and got beat pretty good the previous Tuesday.  They hit eight of their first 10 threes, just shot it extremely well.  Came out responded so well.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the urgency to find shooters there.  We didn't do a great job of playing with high hands and taking away space from shooters.  They had 9-12 in the first half.  We dug a little bit of a hole, but with about four minutes ago in the second quarter it’s a 10 point game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I felt we'd taken their best punch and we had a shot, but again just didn't respond as well as we needed.  They had 9-1 run to finish of the half.   I think Mt. Vernon is so well coached.  I think coach (Nick) Coon just does a tremendous job with them.  We didn't guard a lot of their actions as well as we needed to, didn't have the urgency to find shooters as well as we need.  So, overall tough to overcome that deficit we built early.”

          Madison (1-12,1-7) hosts Lexington (15-1,9-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the large school division, on Tuesday night.  The Minutemen drilled Mansfield Senior (83-56) on Saturday.

          Armstrong says their size is a big problem for them.  “I think it's their size.  I think they make everything difficult, so you really have got to execute at a high level.  Your spacing has to be terrific just because they take up so much space.  Same time they've got speed.  Obviously, (Brayden) Fogel and Seven (Allen) those guys are tremendous athletes in the open court.  So, I think it starts with their size and strength with Caudill inside.  They just have so much size and strength and speed in the open court.  We've have got to take care basketball so they can't turn turnovers into transition baskets,” said Armstrong.

          Lexington beat Madison (60-49) back on December 15 in what was a pretty good performance by the Rams.

          Armstrong says they got to cut down on turnovers and they have to handle Lexington’s physicality.  “I thought we really competed well the boards gave us a chance last time, but still we were out rebounded by a considerable margin.  So, we've got to number one take care of the basketball and number two we’ve got to be physical and tough in our gap assignments and then blocking out rebounding.  So, their size poses a lot of you know a lot of difficulties,” he said.

Published 1/23/2024

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Madison Can’t Allow Easy Baskets

          Madison is at home for unbeaten Crestview in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          Madison and West Holmes were to play at Madison in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game last Friday night.  It was the only game in this area to be cancelled due to road conditions.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says it was a bit frustrating to prepare for a game and then not get to play it.  “When I went outside it's sort of like it was a little bit rough and I was concerned it might be difficult for them to get here.  Obviously, we were not able to even practice Friday or Saturday.  So, it has been a bit frustrating, but in trying to find silver linings everywhere, so, hopefully, we’re rested ready and refreshed from a little bit of a break there,” he said.

          Crestview (12-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, and Firelands Conference leader, smoked Norwalk St. Paul (70-33) and Western Reserve (78-45) in conference games last week.

          Armstrong says the Cougars have great potential to score.  “We had a fantastic game with from last year.  An overtime game, Jaden Jeffries hit a three to put us up a couple points with less than a minute to play and they hit a big three to win it there, so fantastic last year.  They've got a lot of those guys back.  So, certainly Justice Thompson's an outstanding scorer.  I think he's averaging 24, 25 a game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I think in transition they're really good.  When they get a rebound, they've got a number of guys who are skilled enough to push it.  They have number of guys who can drive and who could shoot it.  So, they put a lot of pressure on you in transition.  They've got good size you know across their team.  So, defensively they pose some challenges there with their length.  They compete and they obviously play a lot of basketball.  They're very skilled, very intelligent players, and coach (John) Kurtz really does a great job with that group.”

          Armstrong says it’s a must for them to get back in transition.  “I think it starts with ball security, so we can't turn it over.  They are capable of quickly converting those into fast breaks.  They do a great job, Thompson gets out really fast, they look ahead to him, so that is huge.  We cannot give up easy baskets.  I think that's such a key part in the game is finding ways to get easy baskets and take those away.  So, they are really good in the open court.  They pass it well, shoot it well, so that's going to be a big key as well as rebounding,” said Armstrong.

Published 1/16/2024

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Madison Trying to Find a Way

          Madison has been hard luck losers in recent games and they hope to turn that around as they host West Holmes in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          Last Friday, Wooster’s Brady Bown made two free throws with .6 seconds to play to give the Generals a (51-49) win.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says they lost their discipline at the last moment.  “We're getting healthy for the first time in a bit.  I thought we were playing pretty good basketball when Cam Kuhn went down and sort of suffered with that a little but, but the guys continued to compete.  We've got Cam back now and we went to Wooster Friday night and we hit a three with about 15 seconds to go to tie it up and had a chance then.  We just lost our discipline there the last few seconds and tried to block a shot instead of just contesting and lose with .6 seconds on free throws there at Wooster,” said Armstrong.

          The Tuesday night, they lost to arch rival Mansfield Senior (56-49) at Pete Henry gym.

          Armstrong says again they had the chance.  “Again, we led there at Mansfield Senior at the half.  We handled the ball well that first half.  They picked up the pressure some and again we just couldn't quite get over the hump.  We tied it up the game there late in the game, but again just couldn't do enough down the stretch to finish,” he said.

          Madison (1-10,1-6) plays at home against West Holmes (1-8,0-7) on Friday night in the “OCC”.  Madison beat West Holmes (47-45) in overtime at West Holmes on December 8.

          Armstrong says the Knights won’t give this one to them.  “We had a really good battle that first time.  We fell behind (24-9 at the half) early.  We were not as focused defensively as we needed to be.  We made a couple of changes and the guys really picked it up and again to our credit we really battled back and found a way to win there on the road,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “They're like us, I think both teams really compete and play hard, but come up short in the end of the stick quite a bit this year.  So, they're just not going to beat themselves.  They always play with great spirit and great energy.  So, again we're going to have to really just come out win the game.  In other words, they're not going to beat themselves. we've got to do enough on the defensive end, rebounding, and take care of the basketball to win that game.  They always give great effort.”

Published 1/11/2024

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Madison Needs Poise

          Madison hits U.S. 30 for Wooster on Friday night for a game against the Generals in Ohio Cardinal Conference play.

          The Rams (1-8,1-4) have lost their last six games, including (44-33) to Ashland on Friday night in league play.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says they did not handle the Arrows press.  “They really did a good job pressuring us.  We didn't handle pressure real well.  We're struggling with that a little bit.  We've actually defended at a pretty high level.  At half time it’s a four point game and just really didn't take care of the basketball.  We turned it over 21 times.  When we did get shots, we kind of settled for difficult shots instead of getting good shots.  So, yeah it was a tough one for us,” said Armstrong.

          Wooster (4-5,3-2) beat Mt. Vernon (58-49) in their “OCC” matchup last Friday.

          Armstrong says the Generals do some good things.  “They have really good guard play.  I think they pressure the basketball also, but they've got really good guard play.  (Brady) Bowen shoots it really well from the point guard spot.  They've got a couple of big kids, they've got size, they've got guys good on the bounce.  So, I think they've won four of their last six, so they're definitely a quality basketball team and doing some good things,” he said.

          With the problems they have been having handling the basketball, Armstrong says they are going to have to improve in that area on Friday night.  “We play over at their place.  They showed some 2-2-1 pressure against Ashland.  Against different teams they've gone man pressure full court,” he told Swamkonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We certainly have got to be more poised and not be sped up by other teams pressure.  I thought against Ashland we kind of lost our composure, certainly got sped up, so we've got to do a better job of that.”

Published 1/05/24

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Perimeter Defense Huge for Madison

          Madison is at Ontario for a non-conference game on this Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

          They host Ashland in Ohio Cardinal Conference action on Friday.

          They lost (58-27) to New Philadelphia in “OCC” play last Friday.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says they were not very good on defense.  “It was obviously a tough night for us.  A couple things that New Philly does really well is they back cut you and they find ways to the basket, so we wanted to take that away, take away easy looks.  The second thing is we wanted to really limit their three-point shooting and they ended up hitting 13 of 19.  So, we obviously didn't do a good job at that.  We got lost oftentimes with shooters.  They do a really nice job of setting back screens and then setting down screens, so if you're not careful you get caught up helping on the back screen and therefore you're late on the down screen getting through those,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “There were times we just lost shooters.  It’s something we've struggled with at times.  Last year, I thought we did a good job of taking away three point shots from three-point shooting teams.  Taking away plan “A” for teams and this year we've not been as good taking away with the other team wants to do.”

          Madison (1-6) is at Ontario (1-6) on Wednesday, both looking long and hard for a win.

          Armstrong says Warriors also look to shoot threes.  “In that regard they’re similar to New Philly in that they have got shooters at several spots.  They are not afraid to take very deep three point shots.  So, again we've got to play with high hands.  We've got to be there when shooters catch the ball.  We can't allow space between us the shooter.  So, again we've got to take away three point shots.  So, in that respect certainly the other night was good for reparation for Ontario (Wednesday) night,” he said.

          Ontario also likes to pressure and Armstrong says they are going to have to handle that.  “Certainly, we've noticed the last several games they do find times where they bring pressure through either a 2-2-1 or a 1-2-1-1 and in the half court some kind of pressure.  So, certainly that's an area where I think we've gotten better at, but we still have room to grow there, taking care of the basketball and making sure that we get a shot each time, we possess the ball.  So, that's another thing we've really got to take care of the basketball against their pressure,” said Armstrong.

Published 12/27/23

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Madison has to be Disciplined

          Madison plays host to New Philadelphia in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, the young Rams challenged “OCC” leader Lexington pretty well before falling (60-49) to the Minutemen.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says he has seen a lot of improvement in their play.  “Our group practices hard, they play hard, they're bright kids and they're going to get better.  So, we're definitely seeing signs of growth.  We're not happy obviously with coming up short there at Lexington.  Honestly, they've been thumping people, they've been really, really good.  Definitely saw some glimpses of really good basketball.  Stretches where we started to play better.  Early this season we had long stretches where we just struggled.  We turned it over at times, we gave up some runs and in the last couple games we've done much, much better.  We’ve matured, so having better stretches of offensive basketball and defensively we're getting a little more physical and beginning to rebound a little bit better as well,” said Armstrong.

          Madison (1-5,1-2) plays at home against New Philadelphia (2-2,2-1), the defending co-champ of the “OCC”, on Friday.  They beat Ashland (50-35) last Friday in a conference game.  They lost Tuesday to arch rival Dover (49-40).

          Armstrong says they run a very patient offense and they shoot it very well.  “They lost some really good players last year.  They really play hard and they're very fundamental.  Coach (Ross) does a great job there, the staff does a really good job, coach Ross and those guys.  So, they play kind of a Princeton style of offense, very fundamental.  A lot of back cuts, they slip screens really well and they've got some shooters and they have got some size inside” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “It's interesting, Mt. Vernon in their first game of the year really was physical with them, really was able to pressure them some.  The last two three games seeing growth from New Philly they in fact beat Ashland I think the game before last pretty solidly.  So, Ashland gets after it, they’re physical and solid, but New Philadelphia definitely shoots it well.  I think they shot it very well against Ashland.”

          Armstrong says they have to be very disciplined on defense or they are going to give up some easy ones.  “They do a great job to space you out looking for back cuts.  If you make a mistake on some of those ball screens, they slip to the basket really well.  So, they do get a lot of layups and then they sprinkle in some threes and some second shots and that you know enables them to get some pretty good runs together.  So, you really have to be disciplined with your guarding the ball not trying to pressure and get out and passing lanes too much because you know they'll slice you up with back cuts,” he said.

Published 12/21/23

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Madison Takes on Very Talented Lexington

          Madison has a tough task in front of it Friday night as the Rams head for Lexington to take on the Minutemen in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game.

          On Tuesday night, they lost a heartbreaker to Mt. Vernon (52-50) in “OCC” play.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says it was clearly a game that had a lot of ebbs and flows to it.  “Basketball is certainly a game of runs.  We have really been a team of runs.  We start out up 9-2 and they made a run back at us, it was back and forth, and they ended up up 11 at half, Mt. Vernon did.  Third quarter, we come out and we end up with an eight point lead.  So, we have some wild swings.  There are times we really play good basketball, stretches of very good basketball, and then we'll turn it over and give up looks that that we shouldn't.  As we mature, we've got to kind of even out those runs a little bit and do a better job of that.  Coach (Nick) Coon always has a terrific job at Mt. Vernon and the kids do a nice job.  It was really an exciting basketball game.  It came down to that last shot, 1.2 seconds.  Then you look at the game there are 20 plays you can make in the second, third, early in the fourth, but those plays late in the game get magnified,’ said Armstong.

          With an inexperienced team, Armstrong says it is going to be a process.  “There are just no shortcuts, unfortunately.  It's part of the growth process.  We have stretches of really good basketball, seen some real growth there and that way.  It's just something we are going to have to battle against, watch film, and get better each day.  I think this group is just a really good group and they're willing to put in the work, so definitely a group that's excited to grow,” he said.

          Madison (1-4,1-1) plays Lexington (4-0,2-0) on Friday night.  The Minuteman hammered Mansfield Senior (70-45) on Tuesday night.

          Armstrong says the Minutemen can just do a lot of things.  “Having had a chance to watch him play several times they are really a good blend of size, speed, they shoot it well from a number of positions on the floor.  They have playmaking ability, so they can really hurt you in transition, they can hurt you on the boards, now they can hurt you with a three-point shot as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They pose a really unique challenge.  I think for us it starts with taking care of the basketball.  If we turn it over, they can convert that into fast break points in a heartbeat.  We just can't give them extra possessions, extra shots at the basket by getting offensive rebounds.  So, we have got to take care of the basketball, transition defense is going to be at a premium, and then we've got to protect our boards.”

Published 12/15/23

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Madison Has to Make Better Decisions

          Madison opens up action in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Friday night as they travel to West Holmes to meet the Knights.

          They lost two games on the opening weekend (72-44) to Shelby and (57-44) to Marion Harding in non-conference play.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says both of those teams are strong and they taught them something.  “I thought Shelby with their senior leadership obviously a lot of talent they were really, really impressive.  I thought they played terrific.  We've got a lot of new faces, so I think we got exposed in some areas that we've really got to address.  So, really impressed with Shelby.  Obviously, (Alex) Bruskotter was fantastic and the rest of the guys were too,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Marion Harding too was really talented.  They had size, they had athleticism, had guys who could really knock down shots, which I thought they were better at that this year than they had in the past couple of years.  So, we ran into a couple of really good teams and again it kind of gave us a lesson on some things that we've got to improve on.”

          Armstrong says going forward there are some things they must improve, including ball handling, getting good shots and getting on the boards.  “I think we've got to value basketball. We're preaching for all security here.  It’s 18-16 with six minutes to go in the second quarter against Shelby and our last 15 possessions that half we turned it over seven times.  So, it’s difficult to stay in the game with a team that is talented as Shelby when you're turning the ball over that way.  So, we have just got to have better ball security, got to be able to get better shots, better looks at the basket and we've got to rebound a little bit better as well.  So, I think those are the most obvious here,” said Armstrong.

          West Holmes lost (56-52) to Warsaw Riverview their first game of the season last Friday.

          Armstrong says when you play West Holmes, you know it’s going to be a battle.  “West Holmes they're always tough, they're always gritty and competitive.  I saw them play Riverview recently.  They don't beat themselves and they're always competitive, great competitive spirit, so going there it's going to be a real challenge Friday night for sure,” he said.

Published 12/05/23

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Madison Must Handle it

          Madison starts the season on the road at Shelby, the defending champion in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, on Friday night in non-conference action.

          Rams coach Chris Armstrong says his guys are competitors and they are going to be ready to go.  “It's interesting, this week, obviously, we came back on Monday and had four days to prepare and you could really feel the energy kind of ramp up as we're getting closer and closer to Friday.  So, I really felt a noticeable difference (Wednesday) and (Thursday).  Monday was good, Tuesday was pretty good, but really felt it (Thursday) for sure.  So, I think the guys are extremely excited.  We've got a good group of young guys and certainly with lot of room to grow.  I think they're really excited.  They're competitors, most of them play football or soccer and the rest, so they like to compete.  I think it's going to be great to get this season started,” said Armstrong.

          Armstrong says the Whippets have the elements of an outstanding team.  He says they can’t have a bunch of turnovers or it could get ugly.  “They have got size, they've got experience, they shoot it well, they're athletic, they really can get out in transition.  Starting with Alex Bruskotter, a 6’7” wing.  They've got a lot of talent. I really respect their program.  I think coach (Greg) Gallaway does a great job.  They're going to be athletic.  I think we're really going to have to rebound the ball and take care of the basketball.  If we don't value it, they convert that into fast break points in a hurry,” he said.

          Bruskotter is 6’7”, but lots of the times he has the ball out front and it’s difficult to get it away from him.  Armstrong says he does a lot of things very well.  “It's interesting two years ago, we really pressed quite a lot.  We gave them some trouble with our pressure early on.  I think it's safe to say it was tied at halftime and as a sophomore they put all his hands, he brought up against our pressure and you can see he was special, whatever a 6’5” sophomore and they put the ball in his hands to bring it up against your pressure,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “He really is capable of obviously handling it, distributing, he can score a number of ways.  I am impressed that he goes to the boards as hard as he does.  So, he is just a very versatile and talented player.”

Published 12/01/23

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Big Fourth Quarter Give Lady Colts the Win

          Clear Frk outscored Madison (15-6) over the last 4:02 of the game and beat the Lady Rams (57-46) on the opening night of the girls’ basketball season at Les Hauenstein Gym on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Colts clung to a (43-40) when they went on a (10-0) run over the next three minutes to lead (53-40) with 1:02 to play fueled by the play Mel Blubaugh and Lilliam Weikle.  Blubaugh scored twice and handed out a couple of assists and Weikle scored three hoops during that stretch.

          Clear Fork coach Scott Sellers says they had veteran players making key contributions at crunch time.  “That's a good team.  Madison, I thought played really well.  I think at one point it was 43-40.  We had some kids kind of take over in the fourth that have gotten a lot of experience with us.  I know Mel (Blubaugh) played really well down the stretch and Annika Labaki played big obviously.  We got some key minutes from some of the players that have been around this program now two, three, four years and that's how we were able to kind of come out with a win over a really good team,” said Sellers.

          It was a game of spurts.  With the game tied at (8-8) with 3:30 left in the first quarter, Clear Fork went on (8-0) run, keyed by basket from Weikle and threes from Blubaugh and Annika Labaki.  But, Madison got back it by closing the quarter on an (8-2) run, with hoops from four different players.

          In the third quarter, Madison took a (30-28) lead on a goal by freshman Aniyah Monica with 4:54 to play in the quarter, but Clear Fork took it back with (11-0) spurt keyed by old fashion three points plays by Brinley Barnett and Kylie Belcher to lead (39-30) with 2:49 to play in the quarter.  Madison closed it to (40-35) at the end of the quarter.

          Madison coach Mike Leeper says his kids played hard and never game up and that puts a smile on his face.  “We kept nipping they get up seven, eight I think it was and we nipped it.  We came back in we got it tied.  We never could get that lead.  We never could get a little bit of any comfort yeah, but I'm very pleased with the effort.  I just think we're going to get better and better and I’m really crazy about my kids,” he said.

          Over the last three years, Clear Fork has seemed to be a second half team and Sellers says he always wants them to attack, whether offense or defense.  “I think the kids are in good shape.  I think that they believe in what we're doing.  I tell them to be aggressive to attack to shoot and we can string some buckets together.  Again, Madison's tough, I mean they're big, they're physical and that freshman (Monica) is really good, so hats off to them,” he said.

          When they established the lead in the fourth quarter, Clear Fork spread the floor, but still attacked.  Leeper says they didn’t react to that as well as they should have.  “They are very well coached, (Sellers) does an excellent job, their kids execute things very well.  We came back they took a little bit of lead and they played a little bit better situational basketball.  They held the ball, we didn't react as well to it as we should have and that's on us as coaches.  We're going to work on that.  We're getting better.  I liked our effort.  Their a very good basketball team, obviously, early in the season.  We’d like to have another opportunity to play them later on.  I'm happy with the kids effort, just not getting that “W” doesn't help,” said Leeper.

          It was Blubaugh, a junior, that controlled the ball most of the time during that critical fourth quarter stretch.  “She's a really smart player.  She's a three sport athlete, she's All-Ohio in softball, I think she's going to All-Ohio in soccer next year and I think she'll be All-Ohio in basketball.  I think she's that special of an athlete and a kid,” he told Swankonsports.com after the game, “Then she had some kids around her that really made some big plays as well.  I know Lilly (Weikle) did too.  Kylie Belcher is a kid that I hope I get every year for the rest of the time I coach.  She might not show up big on the box score sometimes, but man she is just key to our team and I'm really happy for the kids.”

          Labaki led Clear Fork wit 16 points, Weikle had 14 and Blubaugh added nine.  Monika led Madison with 15 markers.

          Clear Fork’s depth was a factor in that fourth quarter too.  Plus, Sellers says their rotation was a little smaller than he expects it’s going to be.  “There's a couple of the kids that didn't get as many minutes as probably I thought that they might just how the flow of the game.  Katrina Rogers is one, she might have played three or four minutes.  She came in and gave us some good minutes when she did.  I think she's going to be an eight minute player a game.  I think Avary Wine is going to be a kid that can play anywhere from 10 to 18 minutes.  Just sometimes in the flow of the game and just how physical and fast that game was they didn't get as much time, but we were able to play ten kids in that game and eight of them fairly substantial minutes,” said Sellers.

Published 11/23/23

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Madison Trying to Put Things Together

          Madison will have a new look when the hits the basketball floor this year and they are going to spend this month trying to assemble the parts.

          Coach Chris Armstrong says it exciting to him to put the puzzle together.  “It's always exciting to get started.  We've got a really, I feel like a really high quality group, really high character kids, they work.  They are a fairly quiet bunch in a way.  Every group has got its personality and sometimes you've got guys that are a little more boisterous, but these guys are little quieter, but really bright kids, high character kids and so far it's been a lot of fun to coach, so we're excited about the group,” he said.

          With their leading scorer from last year lost to graduation, Armstrong says they are trying to find where their players stand and what they can contribute.  “That's probably one of the most exciting things about coaching is putting that puzzle together.  Finding the guy’s strengths and certainly over the summer you get a feel for that, the previous season, but you lose a guy like Jaden Jeffries who averaged a little more than 23 points a game and could score inside and outside was a really good teammate,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “You've got a new group and you discover how much they have grown.  Some of these guys have really gotten better over the summer, gotten stronger physically, matured a little bit emotionally.  So, starting to put that together is just a lot of fun.  So, we're really going to be experimental early on, try out several different actions, different offensive concepts and defensive concepts to really see where this group can excel.  So, just trying to find every little edge you can and really kind of develop that as you go.”

          Seven Allen, who was the Rams second leading scorer last year as a freshman, has transferred to Lexington.

          However, Armstrong says they have found a number of kids who have improved their games.  “We're excited we've got a guard back who played with us as a freshman and sophomore then really focused on soccer his junior year and didn't play in Degan Herr.  He is a senior, so he's a nice point guard, good ball handler, does a lot of things well, kind of a pass first guy.  Guys like Cam Kuhn have grown and got stronger and better, more skilled.  Owen Wigton has really developed as a scorer.  So, I like our group, I think we've got a chance to develop, but again we've got to find where we're strong and really lean into that,” said Armstrong.

Published 11/09/23

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Madison Embracing Underdogs Role

          Madison takes on unbeaten Rocky River in a division II girls’ soccer regional final at Bowling Green High School on Saturday afternoon.

          On Tuesday night, Madison got two first half goals from Jada Neal and another from Nevaeh Lewis and beat Lima Shawnee (3-0) to advance in the snow in Tiffin.

          Acting coach Jordan Monica says they wanted to get our early.  “Especially, with the crazy weather, I said it could come down to one goal because, well obviously, we have never played in snow like that, so I wasn't quite sure how our cleats were going to handle it, it was pretty icy out there,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We were slipping and sliding and so were they.  So, we didn't know if we'd be able to get a ton of goals, so we said just get out there, get going fast, and then hopefully we could overcome that.”

          Madison (13-4-4) has hit its stride during the postseason.

          The Lady Rams beat Rocky River in the state semifinals back in 2019.

          Rocky River (21-0-0) smoked Maumee (8-0) in their regional semifinal on Tuesday.  In four tournament matches, they have outscored their opponents (33-1) coming in.

          Monica says the Lady Pirates are loaded, but she believes their tough schedule has prepared them well.  “They are undefeated.  They have quite a few girls committed to go to D1 schools.  So, really it comes down to us just playing our best soccer, which we have seen throughout this year playing Walsh Jesuit, playing Clear Fork, playing Ontario.  So, we're just going to have to come out and do our best,” said Monica.

          Monica has confidence in her kids.  “We can do it, I believe in our team.  We've been the underdogs all season and I said there's nothing new.  We'll be just fine as long as we come out with our heads on straight and ready to play,” she said.

Published 11/02/23

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Madison Playing Well Heading into Regional

          Madison makes its fifth regional appearance in the last six years as the Lady Rams take on Lima Shawnee in a division II regional semifinal on Tuesday night at Tiffin Columbian High School.

          Madison (12-4-4) has won five its last seven matches and acting coach Jordan Monica says they are coming together as a team.  “We have figured out where certain people need to play and we've come together as a team.  I think our senior group has really had the willingness of not wanting to lose.  I think that was instilled in them their freshman year from Taylor Huff, Kari Eckenwiler, Phyllis Stanfield, Ashleigh Bechtel and all those girls really taught them, especially coming in a tournament time what needs to be done and that it's not a given and they just wanted to earn it and they wanted to prove everybody wrong,” said Monica.

          On Saturday, Madison shutout Ontario (2-0) to win the district title.

          Monica says they were very solid on defense and she believes the caliper of teams they played during the regular season got them ready.  “We played outstanding defensively.  Going into that game, we talked about if they never score, they could never win.  So, I think that was the mindset of everybody on that field.  We can't let them score and I think they just all came to play,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I think it also comes down to our schedule of play all year.  We play a lot of the top teams in the state, so I think that helps us get ready for that tournament run instead of scoring tons of goals during the season having those close games really helped us out come to these close games in tournament.”

          Lima Shawnee (9-4-6) beat Celina (2-1) in overtime in their district final.  They beat Madison in a regional semifinal in 2021, the last time Madison qualified for the regionals.

          Monica says they have some speed in their forwards and it will be a tough challenge.  “We were talking (Monday) with the girls.  They kind of seem like a team like us that has gotten better as the years going on, maybe has jelled as the year has gone on.  We do know they have some speed up top.  So, I said we just have to play them how tough we played Ontario and Clear Fork.  Just be able to break down their defense and pass through their flat back four and hopefully we come out on top.  I think it will be quite a match, we seem to be evenly matched,” she said.

Published 10/31/23

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Madison Faces Speedy Tygers

          Madison makes the trip across town to face the arch rival Mansfield Senior Tygers in Ohio Cardinal Conference play at Arlin Field on Friday night.

          Last week, the Rams (1-8,1-5) lost to Lexington (31-21) in “OCC” action.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they did some good things, just not enough.  “I mean we've played with a lot of effort.  We had a lead pretty decently late in the game yet, but they started to move the ball and really some uncharacteristic penalties for us and just let them extend drives and things like that and in the end they pulled ahead,” he said.

          Mansfield Senior (7-2,6-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, blanked Mt. Vernon (31-0) last week to clinch no less than a share of the conference title.  They lead West Holmes by a game.  The Knights finish the conference schedule with Mt. Vernon.

          Besancon echoes other coaches in saying the Tygers are athletic and he adds they are very good up front.  “Can you say athletes everywhere and speed everywhere.  I think that's the one thing that sticks out.  They do a really good job up front on the offensive side of the ball, especially.  They just move people around and methodically move the ball and then they snap you with the big play every now and again.  It’s just a lot of talent on that side,” he said.

          Now, Mansfield Senior has played outstanding defense this year.  They have only two scores over the last three weeks.

          Besancon says they are very aggressive and they have that speed to help cover up any mistakes.  “I've seen on film that some people can be opportunistic about that over aggression, but you have got to be, the main word is, execute and that comes with consistency.  You have to consistently press on them and hold your blocks and those things.  Even when you get your blocks they'll end up making some plays, but if you can play a little more consistent when they do over pursue or something like that you could possibly get a chunk of yards,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “They got a lot of speed out there to make up for it when they do get a little too over aggressive and it fits that speed it really helps that aggressiveness.”

          A Mansfield Senior win gives them an outright “OCC” title.  For Madison it’s about pride.

          Besancon says anytime you play a rival, you want to be at your very best.  “Just sitting in the coaches office (Monday) night, we were talking about some of their personnel and the coaches and many of the players.  They've known each other you know for years and years, far beyond when I came around on the picture.  So, you see these guys couple times a year in many sports and at supermarkets you definitely want to put your best foot forward this week,” said Besancon.

Published 10/17/23

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Madison Must Tackle in Space

          Madison, fresh off its first win of the season, will be at home on Friday night for the Lexington Minutemen in Ohio Cardinal Conference action.

          The Rams torched Mt. Vernon (38-0) in “OCC” play last Friday.

          Coach Brent Besancon says it was their best performance and clearly their best effort of the season.  “You said the word effort and that's exactly right, so very proud of their effort.  They took care of the football and did some things that we’re just real proud of as a coach.  We haven't done that all year in that good of form.  So, it was just nice to see the overall win and see how the three phases of the game offense, defense, and special teams have done,” said Besancon.

          Chris Adkins-Tolbert rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Jackets.

          Besancon says their defense last week was physical.  “Coming into this we wanted to play a little bit more of a physical game and that's been hit or miss all year, but last Friday night we were able to get to the football and get some guys on the ground and that's the name of the game right now, especially in space.  That's what Lexington does really well is get the ball out to athletes in space,” he said.

          Madison (1-7,1-4) hosts Lexington (3-5,2-3) on Friday night.  The Minutemen lost (21-14) to New Philadelphia in “OCC” action last week.  Lexington has lost three in a row.

          Besancon says they have a lot of players that make big plays on offense.  “They're receiving corps and then the running back.  I mean they just something that’s really different,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They have the possession receiver and you fall asleep on him and he makes a big play and then you look at the running game.  The running back runs the ball next thing you know the quarterback keeps it he's around the end.  They are just a real challenge overall.”

Published 10/13/23

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Madison Has to Have the Right Approach

          Madison, searching for their first win, will try and get it at Mt. Vernon in Ohio Cardinal Conference play on Friday night.

          It was against the Jackets that they won their only football game last season.

          Last week, New Philadelphia scored twice in the fourth quarter to beat the Rams (21-10) in “OCC” play.

          Coach Brent Besancon says some big plays late cost them, but there were a lot of things to be pleased about too.  “We've kind of progressed the last couple weeks and it was nice to see our kids do that.  It was a good team and that we were facing and played really good football.  Just at the end, we gave up some big plays.  That was tough to see, but really happy with the effort and everything else,” said Besancon.

          Besancon says obviously a win on Friday would be a big boost in confidence for the Rams.  “What are we heading into week eight here and it's getting late to get a first win, but hey we take them whenever we could get them, but it sure would, I mean the mentality of the kids has been good, but obviously we'd like to get that win,” he said.

          Mt. Vernon (2-5,1-3) got its first “OCC” win of the season last week when they upset Wooster (35-28), forcing six turnovers in the win.

          Besancon says he is not sure what the Jackets emotional approach to the game will be, but, frankly, their focus must me being better at doing their stuff.  “They are coming off a big win last week against Wooster.  They've been struggling in this league kind of the same way we have been, but you know getting that win it's kind of up in the air as to how they'll approach this game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I don't think anybody will know how they would come out into this game.  Right now, we just concerned about us and staying focused this week and it's been a great week of practice.  I think that's important, the way we practice this week.  So, kind of looking forward to see how our kids play coming up.”

Published 10/05/23

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Madison Faces Hardnosed New Philly

          Madison entertains the New Philadelphia Quakers in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They lost last week (35-7) to Ashland in “OCC” action.

          Coach Brent Besancon says Ashland hit them with a couple of big shots and they did not respond the way he was hoping they would.  “We actually had the ball down on their seven on our first drive before they scored.  We got a penalty and they got a stop and then we blew pass coverage.  Then it just seemed like there it started snowball and that's kind of was the mindset maybe for the last couple of years, but these last couple weeks I've seen a lot better rebound out of our kids and we didn't see it this past week,” said Besancon.

          Madison (0-6,0-3) will be home for the New Philadelphia (4-2,3-1) on Friday night.  New Philly is coming off a (35-10) win over Mt. Vernon.

          Besancon says the Quakers are just a solid, fundamental football team.  “They play tough football, I mean hardnosed football.  They have got a good line they use the line really well and then it's just a two headed snake in the backfield with their running back and quarterback.  So, it's going to be a real challenge to keep those guys hemmed in all night with the guys they have got up front,” he said.

          New Philadelphia has been successful at running the football and Besancon says if they can’t contain that run game it will be a long night.  “I mean it looks like it on film that they desire to run the football, but they've thrown it effectively.  So, I don't know whether they take what the defense gives or what, but obviously if you don't stop the run against them, they'll just run it all night and never stop,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “It's just a challenge. They have two monster tackles on offense that just move people and they run their feet really well, just look real fundamentally sound, not a lot of penalties, it's just good football.”

Published 9/27/23

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Madison Has to Compete up Front

          Madison, having stepped up it’s play in recent weeks, plays at Ashland against the Arrows in an Ohio Cardinal Conference football game on Friday night.

          Of course, Scott Valentine left Madison after only one season last year to return to Ashland.

          The Rams lost (56-35) to West Holmes in a conference game last week.

          Coach Brent Besancon says he saw some good things.  “Things are starting to click offensively and it's about time I guess I should say, but the kids played really hard and really proud of the effort,” he said.

          Madison (0-5,0-2) visits Ashland (3-2,1-1) on Friday night.  The Arrows beat Mt. Vernon (31-14) last week.

          Besancon is concerned about the Arrows running game.  “They run the ball a little more than I think that they have in years past.  I don't know, I'm new to the league.  They've been known as a passing school, but they've been running the ball so effectively right now and that makes them very dangerous,” said Besancon.

          The Madison coach says Ashland is very good up front and they need to compete there or its’s going to be a long night.  “They have some big linemen.  Their guards are really big, really some really big guys and that right there we have got to play really low to be able to challenge them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Our defensive tackles have to you know come off the ball low and get into them try and stalemate because boy I'll tell you when they get you running, they really run their feet well get people moved.”

          Besancon says on offense they have started to run the ball better.  He says they need to balanced on Friday night.  “We’ve been throwing pretty consistent, running, the last couple of weeks our running game has come a long way, so that helps to open up and complement one another.  We would like to be as balanced as possible,” he said.

Published 9/19/23

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Madison Faces Speedy West Holmes

          Madison hosts defending Ohio Cardinal Conference champion West Holmes on Friday night in a conference game.

          They played likely their best game of the season last week when they lost (27-14) to Wooster in “OCC” play.

          Kris Adams-Tolbert had two second half TD runs for the Rams.  He ran for 153 yards on the night.

          Coach Brent Besancon was impressed with how hard his team played.  “We played with a lot of effort.  We played hard till the end.  There were times on week two and three that I don't think we played with a lot of effort.  Credit to the kids that came out and we got a run to spark us and from there on out they really played tough,” said Besancon.

          Madison (0-4,0-1) is at home for West Holmes (2-2,0-1) on Friday night.  The Knights lost (38-28) to Mansfield Senior last week in “OCC” play.

          Besancon says the Knights are just blessed with a lot of speed on their roster this year.  “You know just speed, it’s just there's something that we've been practicing so far this week and trying to replicate their plays and you just can't replicate that speed.  I think that's going to be a big factor in this game is trying to curtail their speed, it’s easier said than done,” he said.

          The Madison coach says West Holmes knows how to get the ball to their playmakers in the right spots.  “What makes them so hard to defend is they throw a lot of the bubbles and slip screens and things and so they're throwing the ball out there in space and that's what makes them doubly tough as they get that ball out there in space and they get out there quick,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “The quarterback really finds his target quick and puts it right on them.  It'll be a real challenge this week, but tackling is the “A” number one thing.”

Published 9/13/2023

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Madison Wants to Run the Ball

          Madison kickoffs play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference this week a visit to Wooster to take on the Generals.

          The Rams (0-3) were shutout (38-0) last week by Ontario.

          However, coach Brent Besancon says he saw some steps in the right direction.  “I thought that we had played better.  I thought us as coaches did better because I thought the week before we seemed disorganized on the coaching side of things, but this past week Ontario just executed a lot better than what we did,” he said.

          Besancon says their biggest goal is to run the football better as the season progresses.  “I think just trying to move the ball with any kind of consistency.  Probably gearing it a little more towards the run.  We'd like to take whatever we can get, but I think just consistency on the offensive side of the ball would probably be the first thing that I would point at.  You always want to tackle better and all those things, but consistency on running the football would be the thing that I would point to first,” said Besancon.

          Wooster (1-2,0-1) lost an “OCC” game in New Philadelphia (22-13) to the Quakers last Friday.

          Besancon says the Generals will try and do some different things offensively than they see from other opponents.  “They have faced some really tough teams, I'm familiar from this area with Wadsworth and Orville, the rivalry, and all those things you could get into those rival games and to me they just really competed well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Labor Day, “It's a little different style of ball than what we see in the “OCC” and some of these games.  To me, it’s a new season starting “OCC” play, they started it last week, but for us we want to look at this as a new season and come out and see if we can improve trying to establish the run would be the “A” number one goal.”

Published 9/05/23

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Madison Has to Compete at the Point of Attack

          The game between Madison and Ontario on Friday night is going to be won and lost up front as they battle each other in non-conference play at Copeland Field in Ontario.

          It was not a good performance last week for the Rams in a (42-0) loss to River Valley.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they couldn’t get anything done.  “We just didn't do much right at all.  Really struggled fundamentally protecting the ball, coming off the ball, and tackling in space.  It was just not a good night anyway shape or form.  We have got to get back get back to the fundamentals,” said Besancon.

          Ontario (2-0) blanked Centerburg (35-0) on Friday night.  They allowed about 100 yards of total offense.

          Besancon says they are a team that wants to be physical and run the ball at you.  “To me it looks like complete team.  It reminds me a lot of Shelby and that way.  They have got a mobile quarterback.  They run the ball a little more.  So, I mean it's based around that quarterback and fullback.  Up front they look big, so it's going to be a real challenge for us,” he said.

          A key would be to put the Warriors in bad down and distance situations.  However, Besancon says that is easier said than done.  “People have been trying and haven't been able to make them do it.  The key to everything is it starts up front,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “They're able to get behind those big lineman.  You want to do it and you want to scheme for it, but they are dangerous enough with the pass to hurt you if you just get too greedy about stuff.”

Published 8/30/23

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Madison Must be Ready for Tempo

          Madison plays another team out of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference this week as they travel to River Valley to meet the Vikings in a non-league game.

          Last Friday, they put the first score on board, but lost (41-14) to Shelby.

Coach Brent Besancon says they showed a little rust in some areas.  “We had some good things that we had done and protected the ball and so there I thought that was a real positive.  Some of our special teams we weren't ready and you have got to wonder about had we had a second scrimmage some of those things you could have worked out, but we didn't have it.  So, that first game was the second scrimmage for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “No excuse, it's just a lot of inexperience and short time to get things done.  I felt real good about how the kids played till the end and played hard, so it's a good start.”

          Besancon is looking for improvement this week.  He says with the weather they need to stay focused.  “I think that there's going to be a larger learning curve between week one and week two.  Really we're seeing a very similar team with a pretty wide open offense with a very agile quarterback.  So, we have a hot week of practice ahead of us, but we have got to stay mentally focused,” he said.

          River Valley (0-1) lost to Ashland, also of the “OCC”, last week (26-20) in overtime.  They had scored twice in the fourth quarter to tie it. 

Besancon says they must react positively to the Vikings quick tempo.  “They tempo you.  I forget how many actual plays they ran in the game.  I think there's almost 200 plays that both teams ran in their game last week against Ashland.  So, they up tempo the game and are looking that hit you on your heels and really take advantage.  It is something we're going to have to be ready for.  It seemed like the other night we had quite a few young players on the field, so it's something that they're going to have to get used to real early in the game,” said Besancon.

Published 8/22/23

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Madison Takes on Experienced Shelby

          For Madison it the third coach in three years as they entertain Shelby in their traditional non-conference opener at Ram Field on Friday night.

          With a new coach in Brent Besancon in charge there is already a lot of newness with the Rams and then Besancon says their scrimmage last week was cancelled due to the weather.  “There's a lot of unanswered questions out there.  There is a new coach and you know these kids have been through a lot of changes over the years, so would have been nice to get that one in but unfortunately it is what it is,” he said.

          This week in practice Besancon says the kids have looked pretty good, but that lack of action against another squad is concerning.  “Overall, the focus has been pretty good.  It’s a traditional backyard rival right here, so they've been pretty focused and happy to see that.  It’s just when you're trying to work all the special teams and you didn't get to see them go out there and get lined up and stuff.  There's just a lot of those things that are concerning even though you have had a good week of practice,” said Besancon.

          Madison has not beaten Shelby since 2014.  It was (10-7) Shelby last year.

          Besancon says the Whippets are a team with depth and an understanding of how to win.  “I got to see them in their first scrimmage and to me it just looks like a well coached team and it's a program.  They seem to be very deep and played a lot of kids and very organized.  So, to me it's just when you see that stuff they look like a week four football team at that point,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “To me that's probably one of the things most concerning is just seeing the overall program and number of athletes that they had on the field and moving around is pretty impressive.”

Published 8/17/23

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Madison Trying to Take Small Strides

          Brent Besancon takes over as the new head football coach of the Madison Rams and so far, he likes the progress that he sees.

          Madison is coming off a (1-9) season last year and they have not had a winning season since 2014.

          Besancon says he likes the approach to the game he is seeing, but they clearly have things to work on.  “A good worth ethic.  We got up to a good start with a work ethic, but we seem to be a little bit raw right now, so I'm glad it's a week out right now,” said Besancon.

          Madison opens the season next Friday at home against the Shelby Whippets, the preseason favorite in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, in non-conference action.

          Besancon says before next week they need to become better tacklers.  “To me tackling, overall tackling.  I mean you have got to be able to tackle in space more now than ever.  I mean just mean getting into people's bodies and being physical and to tackle and I think is the “A”, number one thing,” said Besancon.

          Wins have been hard to come by for the Rams and Besancon knows they have to develop that winning attitude.  “I mean that's obviously the biggest challenge coming into situations like this is to get over those mental hurdles,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Nobody's going to feel sorry for you.  You try to keep those numbers out and keep them going positive and take small strides and that's really what I'd like to focus on is just get a starting point and then from there just start a process of trying to get better each week.”

Published 8/09/23

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Madison Smokes Willard for Tournament Win

          Madison destroyed Willard (13-3) in a sectional semifinal in division II on Wednesday evening.

          Next, they play Shelby in a sectional final on Friday night at Shelby.

          Coach Nick Melton says Wednesday night they did all of the things they have to do to be successful.  “That's the most runs we scored in a while, but you have to give credit to the kids.  We came in with a game plan and they absolutely executed it to perfection.  I looked up, I think it might have been the third inning, we had three runs on the board and we hadn't recorded a hit yet.  It wasn't something that we weren't putting the ball in play, but we were just executing the things that that we've talked about all year long.  Not doing little things, but making winning plays,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win Wednesday night, “We were bunting the baseball and we were stealing bases and we had a couple of squeeze bunts (Wednesday).   So, everybody contributed from the top to the bottom of the order.  Just looking back through the box score and we had eight guys score runs.  So, just a complete team effort, great job executing then and Ethan Glasgo threw a gem on the mound and only allowed five hits.”

          Good pitching yes, but Melton says for them more importantly they fielded the ball without a bunch of errors.  “Well for us it's good pitching, but for us it's almost more can we hold up defensively behind our pitcher because we don't have that power guy on staff that's going to go out there and record double digit strikeouts.  I think Ethan had two strikeouts for us.  So, that's a credit to our defense being ready to field the ball behind him.  It really started the night on the first batter of the game for Willard.  He hit the ball into the five and a half hole and Gavin Cates made a backhand and threw it back across his body and threw the runner out.  Both umpires came up to me after the game and said that's probably the best play they've seen in high school baseball this year.  So, credit to our fielders behind our pitcher backing up the job that Ethan was doing on the mound,” said Melton.

          Shelby (16-7) has really played well lately.  They have only lost one game in the last two and a half weeks.

          Melton says the Whippets are playing as well as anyone in the area right now.  “We played them earlier in the year and it really wasn't one of our better baseball games, so they flat out took it to us over there at their place.  Looking at how they're playing lately, they're probably the hottest team in the Northwest district when you look at their body of work here recently.  They beat Clear Fork and that really started them going, they get a couple wins against Ontario, they beat Perkins, they beat Upper Sandusky the other night.  You talk about scoring runs, they're putting runs up in bunches.  So, it's going to come down to Friday night how well we're going to field it behind our pitcher,” he said.

Published 5/18/23

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Madison Needs Help

          Madison hammered New Philadelphia (15-5) on Thursday to finish up play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference and now they need some help from those same Lady Quakers.

          Right now, Mt. Vernon stands (11-2) in the “OCC”, after a (20-1) win over Lexington on Thursday, and has earned no less than a share of the conference crown.  Madison is now (11-3) and New Philly is (10-3).  Mt. Vernon hosts New Philadelphia on Friday, the Quakers need a win to share the title, of course, that would move Madison into that position too.

          Madison coach Tim Niswander says it would be nice to get some help form Lady Quakers, but really they should have taken care of their own business.  “Our season is complete as far as the conference is concerned, but all three of the losses that we have in the league we had no business losing and that's our own fault. We blew a six run lead to Mount Vernon in the seventh.  The next day we had him down again by two runs, they took the lead in the top of the seventh and then we scored a run to cut it to one and had second and third with nobody out in the middle of our order couldn’t score and that's on us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Then Saturday at West Holmes we lose 6-4, we make some mistakes and mostly mental errors, not physical errors, but they cost us the game.  So, it's 100 percent on us.  We have to root for New Philly (Friday) and hope that they win and if they do that's great for us and great for our kids and our program, but the reality of it is we shouldn't be sitting here in this position and it's our own fault.  So, now we've got to rely on somebody else, but the good news is we had to beat the team that it was in first place in our league twice this week and we did that Tuesday and Thursday nights, so that's great for our kids and hopefully we're back in a groove now.”

          Madison beat New Philadelphia (6-0) on Tuesday in their first meeting of the week.

          Niswander says they did what they needed to do to give themselves a chance.  “Tuesday night we win 6-0.  We had some timely hitting.  We got two in the first, but then we didn't score again until the sixth and seventh inning to widen that lead, but the good news was Layla Azman, our pitcher, was just in complete control the whole night.  She threw at gem and really kept them off balance and kept them off the bases and they never really threatened.  Then (Thursday) night Layla wasn't as sharp.  She threw a pretty good game, but we came out and we hit, we hit, we hit and that's what we've done most of the year.  We're averaging over 11 runs a game.  So, (Thursday) night looked more offensively like Madison softball.  Then we did enough defensively and on the mound where we could get a walk off in the 6th inning and get out of there early.  So, it was a great night, it was senior night for our four seniors, so it was nice to send them out of Madison, out of our complex with a with a big win,” said Niswander.

          Madison is the top seed in the division II district tournament, but they have no easy on Friday as they host Sandusky Perkins, of the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Niswander says they must play well or their season will be over.  “They are always really well coached and always a solid team.  Their shortstop Cam Kaufman is going to Bowling Green and she is an absolute monster.  We're going to have to show up and play our best or our tournament run will be short.  If we by chance or are fortunate enough to win, we get the winner of Clyde and Shelby and we played both of those teams and they're capable of knocking you off.  So, you know how it is this time of year, there are always upsets and we have got to come in and be focused and do the things that we preach every single day to make sure that our tournament run lasts as long as it should,” he said.

Published 5/12/23

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Madison Still Alive

          Madison doesn’t control its own destiny, but they are clearly still in the race in Ohio Cardinal Conference after an (8-3) win over Ashland on Wednesday evening on their home field.

          They trail New Philadelphia by two games and Mt. Vernon by one.  They need some help when it comes to the Lady Jackets, but they still have a series remaining with New Philly.  Mt. Vernon beat West Holmes (15-5) on Wednesday.

          Coach Tim Niswander says after two one run losses to Mt. Vernon last week they have responded like he hoped they would.  “We've had four games since then and we've run ruled twice and came close to it the other two games.  So, the kids put it behind them and look forward and they knew that there was work to do and that we still had a chance if we got a little help, which we did this week and we’re hoping to get some more, but they played really well,” he said.

          Niswander says they have played well in all aspects of the game over the last week.  “Layla Azman threw a shutout and then threw two, five hitters (Wednesday) and (Tuesday).  Then obviously, look at the scores we scored 10 runs and then 17, 14 and eight, so obviously we're hitting the ball really well right now as well.  On top of that and those four games since we got beat by Mount Vernon, we've only committed one error.  So, the kids did a great job of bouncing back and doing what we do and getting a couple of big wins,” said Niswander.

          Winning the “OCC” title is always a goal of theirs and Niswander says it is still clearly within their grasp all they gave to do on their end is keep winning games.  “Mt. Vernon has got one loss in the league, New Philly doesn't have any and they play each other next week and then we play New Philly.  So, there's a pretty good chance that that thing will work itself out,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening after the win over Ashland, “If we can get a Mt. Vernon loss and then we've have got New Philly and we can take care of our own business then obviously we can still win the league.  That's one of the goals that we have every year is to win a league championship and the district championship, so hopefully things shake out our way.  We didn't take care of business when we had the opportunity, but hopefully we can get some help.”

Published 4/27/23

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Madison Puts it Together vs. Ashland

          Madison played one of its best games of the season in beating Ashland (4-1) in Ohio Cardinal Conference play on Tuesday evening.

          The loss dropped the Arrows three games behind Wooster, a (10-1) winner over Mansfield Senior on Tuesday, pretty much eliminating them for league title contention.

          Coach Nick Melton says they beat an outstanding pitcher and a very good team.  He says their pitching was tremendous.  “That's a great win for us, it's a great program win and to go out and beat a kid like the (Luke) Bryant kid pitching for Ashland, who's the defending pitcher of the year in our league, it's just a great job for our team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night after the win, “I’ll tell you it took all 13 guys in the dugout and on the field to get that one done.  Of course, we had two guys go out there on the mound for us and threw absolutely superb.  Gavin Cates went four innings gave up just four hits and then Liam Stone, a freshman, came in for us and had a three inning save where he didn't give up a single hit.  So, just a great job by the entire team.”

          Stone is kid, says Melton, that is really coming along and showing great maturity.  “I couldn't ask for anything better and he's kind of become one of my most trusted guys.  He's not quite there yet to be one of our conference pitchers as far as a starter, but he's the next guy up.  He's probably our best reliever and he's that guy that gets a lot of starts in non conference games.  Unfortunately, he's been a tough luck loser in a lot of his appearances this year, but (Tuesday) night things went well and I don't even think he had his best stuff.  He went out there, he gutted it out and the defense stepped up behind him,” said Melton.

          The Madison coach says they used a lot of small ball to get their runs on Tuesday and Melton says they got some quality at bats.  “We had four runs in one inning and looking back on it I think the ball left the infield maybe once in that span.  So, that just shows you what can happen in high school baseball.  You put a little pressure on a team, get some runners on base and you know anything can happen.  Four runs against a quality pitcher like that and being able to make it hold up, again that's just a great job by our guys standing in there in the box and having some quality at bats in big moments,” he said.

Published 4/26/23

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Madison Rips Rival Tygers

          Madison swept their Ohio Cardinal Conference series with the rival Mansfield Senior Tygers with a (24-6) win on Wednesday afternoon at Arlin Field.

          After winning (13-1) on Tuesday and scoring nine in a win against Galion on Saturday, coach Nick Melton says they starting to swing the bats better.  “I was talking with my JV program (Wednesday) night it's like guys singles win baseball games and going into (Wednesday) we had scored three, then nine, then I think it was 12 (Tuesday) night, 14 (Tuesday) night and we had only hit one extra base hit in that time period,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win on Wednesday, “We've kind of been preaching that approach, it's at 90 feet at a time, let the rest take care of itself.  Then (Wednesday) night the bats really came alive.  We scored 24 runs on 19 hits and I think we had four or five extra base hits.  So, it's nice to get those guys some confidence and see that the work that we've been putting in is is paying off.”

          The Rams have proven they have gap power and Melton says you don’t have to swing like you are hitting the ball to the bus garage.  “We've been preaching it is just make contact, make solid contact, make the other team make plays and those doubles and those triples and those things those will come in time.  The more you put it in play hard, the better off you're going to be and that's what it was.  We were singles last week and then (Tuesday) night we get a couple doubles and (Wednesday) we have another three or four doubles and even a triple.  So, those things are coming, but hopefully they keep coming and coming in larger quantities and the bats stay alive now,” said Melton.

          Wooster took the “OCC” lead to itself with a (12-6) win Wednesday night at Mt. Vernon, coupled with New Philadelphia’s (11-6) loss to West Holmes.  Ashland smoked Lexington (16-6).  The Arrows and Quakers trail by one.

          Madison (4-5,3-3) plays Amherst Steele Thursday, Shelby on Friday and Vermilion on Saturday in non-conference play.  They have Mt. Vernon in their “OCC” series next week.

          With some extra work, Melton hopes they can continue to hit the ball.  “We talk hitting and it's much easier to hit when it's 70 degrees out than when it's 40 degrees out.  That really helps the kids out with the sun shining and of course we're on spring break this week, so we can get down to the field get a little extra batting practice.  (Wednesday) was a day we're on the road and typically you don't get to take batting practice before you get on the bus, but the benefits of spring break this week and the nice weather we can get down to the field and get a few extra swings in,” he said.

Published 4/13/23

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Madison Destroys Clear Fork

          Madison, off a break of a week without a game, drilled Clear Fork (13-1) in a non-conference game on Monday.

          Coach Tim Niswander says there was some concern about rust, but that was quickly resolved.  “We did play really well and that was a big concern.  We had seven days off without a game.  We did have the opportunity to get into the gym. actually out on our field, and work on some things and work some things out, but there's nothing like seeing live pitching and being competitive.  (Monday was) our second day on spring break, so we weren't really sure what the kids are going to be doing all day.  We brought them in a little bit early to hit before we got on the bus, but the downtime was definitely a concern, the spring break thing was definitely a concern, and it took them about 15 minutes to make me feel pretty good about all that stuff,” said Niswander.

          Madison (5-0) has had three games this season when they have scored double figure runs and Niswander says they have hit the ball really well this year.  “We've got a lot of kids back with a lot of experience.  We do a lot of things in the offseason to help them see good pitching and hopefully it pays off for us.  (Monday) night, Hope Barrett went 3-3 and hit a Grand Slam, Kyleigh Reiter had a couple of hits, Emma Stankovich had a couple of hits, Kendyll Kershner had a couple of hits,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win Monday night, “It was a good night all the way around.  The middle of our order obviously, as well as the middle of any order, is what you're wanting to count on when you score runs.  The middle of our order, our three, four hitters, were 1-6.  We got production from all of the other kids and that's part of the game of being a team.  You pick each other up and you get each other’s back and when one kid is not hitting hopefully the other kids are.  (Monday) night those other kids all picked up the slack and did a great job for us at the plate.”

          Niswander says they have some depth with seven players hitting over .400 for the season.  “We have got some depth and we've gotten some kids some at bats that on a lot of teams they wouldn't have had that opportunity.  So, it's nice that we've got some depth and that our order is as long as it is.  We've got kids hitting one through nine.  I looked at the stats before the JV game (Monday) and we've got seven kids hitting over .400 for us.  So, you get that kind of production you're going to be successful.  You couple that with some solid pitching and solid defense, which we've had so far this year, and you go 5-0, so the kids have really done a great job,” he said.

Published 4/11/23

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Madison With Big Rally

          Down five going to the bottom of the sixth, Madison rallied to beat Ontario (8-7) in a non-conference softball game played at Madison on Monday evening.

          Ontario had built a (7-2) lead, but Madison (4-0) scored five times in their half of the sixth on an RBI single by Kyleigh Reiter, a two-run double by Emma Stankovich and RBI groundouts by Addie Ferris and Kendyll Kershner and it was tied at seven.

          After the Lady Warriors went empty in the top of the seventh, Olivia Schulz singled to open the frame for the Lady Rams, followed by a single by Reiter and a game winning double by Stankovich.

          Coach Tim Niswander says his kids stayed focused and stayed confident.  “It was unbelievable.  I mean we're going to the bottom of the sixth down 7-2 and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to say to the kids after the game to keep things positive and get us refocused to get moving into our conference schedule some more, but you know they had other plans,” he told Swankonsports.com after the huge win, “They did a great job against a really, really good team of just staying focused and having good at bats.  They did what we preached to them all the time and they just kept hitting.  We ended up having a miracle, I guess more than anything.  Ontario is in incredible team and hats off to them, they played well (Monday) and they can hit the ball and we just got a little bit more hitting in at the end.”

          Niswander says Monday is a good example, sometimes hitting just becomes contagious.  “The funny thing is Emma Stankovich, she had a two run double in the 6th inning, which was the rally and then she had a walk off double in the bottom of the seventh.  She hits in the six hole for us and had two humongous hits (Monday) night.  The kids in front of her got on and it did it became contagious.   They were getting after it and it was just one right after the other.  It was really a lot of fun to watch, but those first five innings were too much stress,” he said.

          When you are playing good softball like Madison is, you want to keep playing, but Niswander says they are forced to take the next week off.  “Unfortunately, we've got the next six days off.  We don't play again until Monday night down at Clear Fork.  So, we're trying to figure out what we can do this week to manage our schedule a little bit because West Holmes went out of town on spring break and they can't play varsity softball this week.  So, we had to reschedule our two league games.  So, we’ve got six days off and we're trying to find some fun things to do and some team bonding things and still get some softball stuff accomplished.  Hopefully, when we pick things back up again on Monday and just keep rolling,” said Niswander.

Published 4/04/23

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Big Seventh Inning Leads Madison past Lexington

          Madison beat archrival Lexington (5-2) on Tuesday in a key early season softball game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          Kyleigh Reiter’s two run double in the top of the seventh inning was the key to a four run Lady Rams rally that led to the Madison win.

          Coach Tim Niswander says it was their pitching and defense that set them up to get the win.  “It was a great game.  We didn't hit timely very much at all during the game and then finally in the seventh inning, we got a little bit of a breakout.  It was nice to see us be able to put the ball in play and move some kids around,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win on Tuesday night, “I keep telling my kids that if you play defenses and throw strikes you're going to win a lot of games and then we did both of those things (Tuesday) night.  We didn’t have any errors and Lalya (Azman) pitched a great game.  It's always nice to get a win against your archrival and anytime we play Lex it's just such a grind.  We did a great job of hanging in there and making the play that we needed when we needed it.”

          Lexington scored in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Kaylie Eichhorn.  Madison tied it in the top of the fifth when Hope Barnett tripled and eventually scored.

          Madison held a (5-1) lead going to the bottom of the seven, but Lady Lex would load the bases.  However, they would only score once.  Madison got a key double play started by Reiter, their third baseman.

          Niswander says there was a little bit of a miscommunication.  “I took a time out and I told them, we're just going to trade an out for a run right now.  I mean I'm not concerned about the run, just get outs, take the easiest out you can get, make the play, knock it down, step on the bag, whatever you got to do, just make an out.  Then I go back to the dugout and sit down I look up and my infield playing in and I'm like that's not what I told you to do.  So. it was a little bit of a grind for everybody, but you know they did settle in,” he said.

          Niswander says they did make the plays when they had too.  “Kyleigh Reiter had a humongous double in the in the 7th inning and she also had a double play where earlier in the game where Kylie Galowina hit a one hopper to her and she stepped on the bag and went the first for a double play, that was huge.  We did step up defensively, we made a couple of huge plays when we needed them.  Emma Stankovich stabbed the line drive at first and then dove back to first to double up a runner.  So, we hung in there and we did the things defensively that we needed to do until our bats finally came around,” said Niswander.

Published 3/29/23

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Madison Expecting Big Things

          Madison brings back a lot of kids from a softball team that advanced to the district tournament last season.

          Coach Tim Niswander says they have only a couple of positions to fill.  “We have eight returning starters, 12 lettermen back.  We lost our pitcher from a year ago, but the pitcher that is replacing her Layla Azmoun is a junior that's thrown quite a bit her freshman and sophomore years at the varsity level and had a good deal of success.  She is very hard worker, good, smart kid, athletic, and I think we'll be just fine with her in the circle.  Then we lost our left fielder, but we've got a freshman that came up Campbell Kaiser, and if that name sounds familiar, it’s the sister of Sloan and Bailey Kaiser, that both played for me.  She's going to start either in left field or at shortstop, which would rotate our current shortstop Hope Barrett into left field.  One combination of those two things is going to happen,” said Niswander.

          Niswander says a weakness last year was their lack or speed and he believes that they have addressed that.  “Everybody else is back and back from a team that hit an appreciable number of home runs a year ago.  We did not steal a lot of bases and at times we were challenged last year at being able to get multiple bases when we should have.  We were a lot of station to station stuff.  So, we put a large emphasis in the weight room in the offseason with foot speed and working on that sort of thing,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We timed the kids the first day of mandatory practice and it blew me away how much faster we were.  You could see when we're running and doing things that we had gotten a little bit faster, but the times were a full half second faster on a lot of kids and that that's a big jump.  So, we're going to be very diverse.  We're going to still be able to hit the long ball because those kids are all back, but we're also going to be able to steal some bases, we're going to be able to get some bunts down and get first and third and do some things that we weren't able to do last year and I think that's going to help us score a lot more runs.”

          Niswander says with that they need to be more consistent on defense.  “Defensively, again we've got kids all back playing and positions that they played before, so nothing's really new there.  We’re just looking for quality pitches and some consistency on defense,” he said.

          With all of that talent there will be high expectations and Niswander believes these kids will be alright with that.  “Well, they've had those expectations for a while because a lot of kids are two and three-year starters, so that's not anything new for any of them.  There's good news, bad news and it's all the same we have a team GPA of about 3.75, so handling expectations and our kids are smart enough to know what we want to do and what we think we can accomplish and they're smart enough to know that that they can't try and do too much,  The flip side of that is when you got really smart kids sometimes they tend to overthink things and we got to kind of manage that a little bit.  Managing expectations really shouldn't be an issue for us because our expectations never change.  We want to win every time we step on the field, we want to play for a district title and play for a conference title and it's been that way for the 10 years that I've been at Madison.  So, that's nothing new and when kids that are returning this is exactly what we expected to do a year ago as well.  So, managing that really shouldn’t be an issue and hopefully it won’t be,” said Niswander.

Published 3/16/22

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Madison Working on Pitching Depth

          Like with most schools in Ohio it’s spring sports season and the Madison Rams baseball team is getting ready for the season which starts on March 25.

          Second year coach Nick Melton says they have some kids returning, but they also must replace a couple of key contributors.  “Well, this is year two for me taking over at Madison, so I like to think I have got a little bit better idea going into things this year.  I've got a good nucleus of kids coming back, but then again we're losing a couple seniors that were huge contributors for the Madison Rams last year. I think we have got to replace almost 58 innings on the mound with Seth Ohl and then Jameson Myers, who was an ultimate team guy had a great senior year for us.  Those are two big pieces we've got to replace,” he said.

          Melton says one thing they are working on this month is developing some pitching depth, which is something you have to have.  “You can never have enough.  We had a conversation the other day at the school about how no baseball coach in the State of Ohio comes into a season and says man I've got too many arms this year,” he told Swankonsports.com, “You just you never have enough you get a couple of those weeks early in the year where the weather's not really going in your favor and you can kind of ride you know two or three arms, but then as the season goes and you're playing five to seven games in a week there's just never enough pitching.  When you're trying to put together a varsity, JV, and freshman program you have got to have unlimited arms.”

          The winter this year was extremely mild and pretty dry for most of it, but Melton says you never know what to expect from the spring and that definitely impacts your plans.  “It really does.  I tell you this year coaching basketball and every day leaving the gym and seeing that it was 50 degrees out, I was like man we're going to pay for this in the spring.  So far, we've been pretty fortunate.  We've got the turf football field, so we're able to get outside a lot.  I actually stopped counting so I feel like we're jinxing ourselves, but we were actually able to get onto our baseball field (Monday) itself.  So, things are going great so far, but in the back of my mind I know Ohio’s going to make us pay for it at some point,” said Melton.

Published 3/08/23

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