Antram to lead Defenders

YOUNGSTOWN — Seth Antram, a 2002 Crestview High School graduate, is in line to become the new Youngstown High School head football coach.

The current Chaney head football coach will lead the Defenders next season pending board approval. Youngstown High School will be the name of the new high school in the city after the district decided to consolidate East and Chaney.

Antram, who played quarterback for the Rebels, had 17 years of coaching experience including the last four as the Chaney head coach. He was also a head coach at Boardman for one season.

Bulldogs fall to Tigers

EAST PALESTINE — Newton Falls defeated East Palestine 49-22 on Thursday in boys freshman basketball.

For East Palestine, Shane Newman had nine points, while Mason Gorby added seven points.

Carrollton downs Branch

CARROLLTON — Carrollton’s boys freshman basketball team beat West Branch 40-34 on Thursday. Judah Kutz had eight points for West Branch.

West Branch is 0-4.

Guardians sign pitcher

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians added to their bullpen Thursday, signing right-hander Colin Holderman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The 30-year old Holderman spent the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then became a free agent three weeks ago when the Pirates failed to offer a 2026 contract. He was 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA in 24 appearances. He had two stints on the injured list due to a right knee sprain and right thumb inflammation.

Holderman made 113 appearances during 2023 and ’24 seasons, the second-most on the Pirates in that span, and posted a 3.52 ERA while going 3-9.

Holderman was a ninth-round pick by the New York Mets in the 2016 amateur draft. He made his big league debut in 2022 and went 5-0 with a 3.81 ERA in 24 games before being dealt to the Pirates.

The signing puts the Guardians roster at the 40-man limit.

Canadiens keep Penguins from win

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jacob Fowler made 33 saves in his NHL debut and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Thursday night.

Montreal gave the rookie plenty of support, as Alexandre Texier, Brendan Gallagher and Cole Caufield staked the Canadiens to a 3-0 lead through two periods. Oliver Kapanen also scored to help Montreal snap a two-game skid.

Bryan Rust scored and Erik Karlsson had a power-play goal for Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby added an assist and is now four points from breaking Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for points. Lemieux is ninth all-time in NHL history.