Warriors split road tests, wrestlers and bowlers shine

Carrollton had been on a bit of a roll to begin the 2025-26 season, notching two nonconference wins heading into the week of Dec. 8. The Warriors had two games on the road, including a nonconference battle at Sandy Valley.

But let’s face it. All eyes were on Carrollton’s Dec. 12 Eastern Buckeye Conference opener, which just happened to be at Alliance – the team the Warriors shared the league crown with last year.

You won’t do well if you look past teams, however. And the Cardinals, despite their winless start to the season, are no slouch being ranked 25th among Div. V schools. It was touch and go for a bit, but the Warriors exploded for 18 second quarter points while limiting Sandy Valley to just three to take a 27-13 lead into intermission.

The Cardinals clawed their way back into the game, and drew to within eight to begin the fourth quarter, but Tayvian Johnson and the Warriors halted Sandy Valley’s momentum to claim their third consecutive win to begin the season.

Tayvian Johnson scored 16 points – including eight in the fourth quarter – to lead the Warriors. Marcus Brooks logged a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards, while Jayven Johnson scored 12 points for Carrollton. Sandy Valley (0-4) was led by Caleb Deubner and Gino Tozzi, who scored 16 and 15 points, respectively.

That out of the way, the Warriors made the trek to Alliance Dec. 12. The two teams shared the trophy last year even though Carrollton swept the Aviators in both meetings. A lot has changed since last season, as the Warriors lost four of five starters to graduation while Alliance brought everyone back.

Unlike the Sandy Valley game, however, it was Carrollton that was the victim of the second quarter blues as the Aviators broke open a two-point game with a 21-8 run in the second to take a 34-19 lead in halftime.

The Warriors whittled away at the deficit, but Alliance’s ability to score off turnovers and in transition proved to be too much as Carrollton fell 57-47.

Jayven Johnson scored 13 points to lead the Warriors (3-1, 0-1), while Tayvian Johnson and Brooks each added eight. On the boards, Hunter Allison and Brooks snared six rebounds apiece. Alliance (5-0, 2-0) were paced by JR Jackson’s 16 points.

Girls Wrestling

Carrollton’s Lady Warriors competed at the Friday Night Lights Tournament, hosted by Akron Coventry High School and with a battle party of nine, Carrollton placed five wrestlers and finished fifth out of a field of 23 teams, scoring 88.0 points.

Austintown Fitch was the overall team champion with 209.5 points, while John Hay slipped past West Branch 136.5-134.0 to claim second place.

Speaking of champions, the Warriors had two of them as Kristen Hawkins cruised at 100 lbs. The freshman pinned all of her opponents save for runner-up Brooklyn Stoufer of West Branch, who she gained a 5-1 decision over. Riley Alborn also picked up a win at 235 as she won both her matches by falls including a pin of Norton’s Ashlyn Smith, who placed second.

Alyssa Detchon (110) and Juliaunna Miller (135) picked up third-place finishes for the Lady Warriors, while Ashly Jasso (145) finished fourth to round out Carrollton’s placers.

Bowling

Carrollton made the trek to Hanoverton’s Forest Lanes Dec. 9 to do battle with United in a Stark County High School Bowling Conference American Division match. The Warriors, who lead both the boys’ and girls’ standings, made the trip worth their while as they swept the Golden Eagles.

For the boys, Khalen Green rolled the high game of 218 to go alongside his 408 series as the Warriors cruised to a 2,383-1,881 victory. Noah Hutson (182-215) added a 397 series as Carrollton shined in the Baker games, posting scores of 211 and 217. With the win, the Warriors remain undefeated at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the American.

On the girls’ side, it was more of the same as the Warriors were solid in the series, but really laid it on in the Baker format with two games of 202 to shut down United 2,026-1,634. Kaylee Russell (156-169) led Carrollton with a series of 325, while Emma Brown (175-147) was close behind with a 322 series. Like the boys’ squad, the Lady Warriors also possess a flawless record at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the American Division.