Tag Archives: Sports

Masser Shoots Lights Out on Senior Night, Ladies Prepare for Postseason Run

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Feb-2023

The Lady Lions played their final regular season game vs Manheim Township on February 4 and came out with the win. Coach Dimoff’s basketball team finished with an impressive 16-6 record on the season.

Before the game, fans and players took the time to celebrate three seniors: Bhrooke Axe, Tatiana Virata, and Kamauri Gordon-Bey. The crowd cheered loudly as the seniors, with their families, walked out to the center court to be acknowledged.

Bhrooke spoke on this being her last season earlier in the week saying, “I think it’s gone pretty good so far,” Bhrooke said. “I think it’s definitely met up to what my expectations were.”

Our Ladies then dismantled Manheim Township showing off their whole array of skills. The first half clearly showed the Lady Lions were stronger, showing high intensity on both ends of the ball. But foul trouble became an issue.

All three seniors picked up three fouls early, leading to Coach Dimoff needing to go deep into his bench.

Grace Masser rises in the lane to put in the jumpshot over multiple Manheim Township defenders. The Lady Lions defeat Manheim Township 53-29 on a senior night. Matthew Keene

At the half, the score was 23-16 in favor of the Lions, with the leading scorers being Gordon-Bey, Grace Masser, and Axe all with six points. The third quarter was the turning point of this game. The Ladies came out firing, more specifically Masser.

In that quarter, the Lady Lions outscored the red-hot Manheim Township 18-3.

Coach Dimoff hinted at how good his team could be at their very best in a week prior to the game.

 “We are good enough to beat anybody, anybody, but when you are playing against solid teams, if we don’t go out there and give a good effort, we’re going to be able to get beat too,” Coach Dimoff said.

The final score would end up being 53-29, led by an absolutely dominating second half from the Ladies. The leading scorer was Masser who would end up scoring 17 of her 23 points in the second half.

Coach Dimoff spoke more about what he wanted to see from this game.

“This is the time of year where we don’t have time to step backwards…every time we step on the floor, it has to be a step forward, because that’s what it takes in the postseason,” Coach Dimoff said. “Each time we step on the floor we are improving.”

It’s now time for postseason basketball. Senior player Axe gave her opinion on what she thought it would take to make a deep postseason run.

“It’s just going to come down to our effort and how much we want it,” Bhrooke said. “That’s going to determine how far we make it.”

The Lady Lions have played very well this season, playing up to expectation, and will now do their best to get to states.

“Whatever effort they are putting on the floor against anybody, is that good enough to beat the best teams,” Coach Dimoff said. “If it’s not good enough to beat the best teams, it’s not a good enough effort.”

Kevin Keene

Multimedia Journalist

From a Cub to a Lion, Brandon Ritchey’s Baseball Success Story

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The Boys Baseball team roared their way to a 9-3 record this season led by coaches Kevin Lawrence, Tyler Taylor, and Brandon White. Senior Captain Brandon Ritchey says that the story behind their great season thus far is the closeness and competitiveness of the team. 

Ritchey told The Leonid in an email interview, “The guys are all close with each other, and we have a lot of fun together. I believe that all being close and all working towards one goal is what makes this team special.” Ritchey said, “I wouldn’t want to go out and play with a different group of guys.”

Ritchey’s journey as a baseball player started long ago, when he started playing for the Red Lion tee-ball program. Shortly after, he began playing in the Red Lion and Windsor Recreational Leagues, and when he reached high school, he played for the school team, Felton in the men’s league, and club ball for Backyard University. In the summer, he plays for Red Lion’s Legion team as well.

Ritchey is also a  leader for Red Lion on and off the field, and Ritchey believes that his great knowledge about the game has allowed him to improve.

“Knowing how things are supposed to work makes it much easier to figure out what you are doing wrong,” Ritchey said. “I also think having a good knowledge of the game has helped me to be a leader for my team. It has helped me to know what to say, and more importantly when to say it.”

Ritchey plays third base, but he can also play shortstop and right field depending on who is on the mound. Ritchey has played on the varsity team for three seasons and also hopes to continue to play baseball at the collegiate level at Penn State York next season.

Brandon huddles up with teammates and coaches near the dugout. Their closeness has been a boost for the team this season. (Left to Right): Corbin Sparks, Connor Lawrence, Ryan Stabley, Connor Ray, AJ Lipscomb, Brandon White, Chase Morris, Brandon Ritchey, Reid Anderson. Photo by Michelle Stabley.

Despite having a successful season, Ritchey said it hasn’t been easy for the Lions to this point. 

“The team has faced adversity due to injuries,” Ritchey said. “Teams are supposed to have 17 active players, but because of injury, they currently only have 14 available guys. This can make things tough for the players and coaches, not having many people to work with.” 

Despite the injury bug hitting their team hard, they have persevered and now find themselves six games above .500, 12 games into the season. 

Ritchey also faced adversity himself. Back in his Sophomore season, he made the varsity team, and then the world was put on pause because of the COVID pandemic. 

“This hurt me greatly as I knew about all the fun memories and experiences that I would miss out on,” Ritchey said.

Ritchey also says that changing positions has been a challenge for him. “I was always a shortstop growing up, however due to injuries and other things like that, my team has needed me in multiple positions.”

Brandon and the rest of the infield line up for the National Anthem. Red Lion looks to win another game at home.* (Left to Right): Jason Krieger, Brandon Ritchey, Jaden Taylor, AJ Lipscomb. Photo by Michelle Stanley

Furthermore, Ritchey feels the team’s greatest accomplishment is overcoming a tough week, where they went 0-3 and lost to Dallastown in an extra inning walk off game. 

“This hurt everyone on the team. However, after losing three straight, everyone has remained focused and determined,” Ritchey said. “This has led us to win every game since then and we don’t plan on stopping.” 

As the Lions approach the final five games of their regular season, Ritchey opened up about what Red Lion baseball and his coaches taught him throughout his high school career. 

“Obviously our games are important, but the coaches all know that teaching us life lessons comes first,” Ritchey stated. “Life lessons such as how to go about each day, fight adversity, as well as how to treat others with respect are all lessons that are shown repeatedly by my coaches.”

Brandon Ritchey has been an integral part of Red Lion’s baseball team, and looks to cap off his career as a Lion by leading them into the postseason, for a shot at all the glory. 

“We know that we have the talent and drive to go out and win every day,” Ritchey said.

By George Keene

Sports Editor

The Lions Roar Behind Grace Tollinger, Getting off to a 5-0 Start

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The Lady Lions hit the ground running under the leadership of Head Coach Don Dimoff in his 26th season as they hope to take the next step in contending for a district title.

Grace Tollinger, who has played basketball for 12 years, has high expectations for the team this year. “We have the talent to make it far in this year’s postseason,” Tollinger said, “but we need to stay disciplined throughout the season.”

The team is led by six seniors, Tollinger being one of them. “I am looking forward to the postseason with this team,” Tollinger said, “We have a different dynamic than the past three years which opens up new offenses we can play.” 

Tollinger also pointed out the fact that the team “is composed of many guards,” also saying that “we will have to adapt to playing bigger posts compared to other guards.” 

However, because they are a smaller team, she believes “they can outrun most other teams.”

The team is off to an incredible 5-0 start, most recently beating Central York 44-38. In addition to beating Central York, they have convincing wins against Ephrata, Manheim Township, York High, and Dover. 

“Our team has faced many challenges adapting to playing styles from other teams,” Tollinger said, “We have been working really hard at practice to replicate each team’s playing styles in order to overcome that struggle.” 

Tollinger will lead the Lions into their next matchup away at Warwick, where they look to continue their hot start.

Tollinger said that despite their undefeated start, there is still work to be done with bigger goals in mind. “We will continue to learn and develop as the season progresses,” Tollinger said.

Grace Tollinger wears her #5 jersey while she weaves through an opponent team. Grace has played basketball for twelve years and looks forward to her senior year. Photo by Ashlyn Lam.

By George Keene

Sports Editor

Bald Eagles sink Navy at second annual Rumble in the Jungle

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By Margaux Rentzel

Red Lion hosted their second Rumble in the Jungle on Friday, Dec. 13 in the Fitzkee Center. Lock Haven and Navy went head to head for an NCAA Division 1 wrestling match. 

Lock Haven took the lead in the first half with a score of 12 to 6 at intermission. Before the last match, Navy almost caught up with a score of 16-15 as fans from both teams cheered on their wrestlers.

“The support from this area has been really big,” Scott Moore, the head wrestling coach at Lock Haven University said. “We are excited for the community to embrace wrestling.”

The last match between Casey Cobb and DJ Fehlman finished the score off with 19-15 for Lock Haven. 

“To be able to win a match like that,” Coach Moore said, “feels pretty good.”

The crowd was entertained during intermission with the Red Lion coed cheerleaders performing their routine.  This was followed by an exhibition freestyle match between junior Tiffani Baublitz from Kennard Dale and junior Seda Tsarni from Watkins Mill High School, Montgomery County, Maryland.. 

“I was excited they even asked us to wrestle,” Baublitz, an assistant junior high wrestling coach for Red Lion, said. The girls were glad to bring awareness to women’s wrestling.

“A couple years ago,” Seda Tsarni said, “You would’ve never thought that high school girls would be wrestling at a college match.”  

Plans for the third annual event are already in the works.

Photos by Margaux Rentzel