Struthers prevails in double-overtime game

By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HUBBARD -- Comebacks appeared normal Tuesday at Hubbard.
So did excitement.
With the game deadlocked at 63 in double overtime, Struthers senior Jason Mitchell scored on a baseline drive and junior guard Jim Franceschelli hit two free throws 12 seconds later to ice the game as the Wildcats basketball team held off Hubbard for a 67-63 victory.
"This win was pure guts," Struthers coach Joe Fuline said. "This win was pure guts because we were down and out and never quit."
Senior standout Anthony Smith, an all-state football player, scored five of Hubbard's first seven fourth-quarter points to give Hubbard a 44-30 lead with 6:45 left. But then the Wildcats' defense went to work.
Struthers made turnovers a habit and held the Eagles to just two points the rest of the way.
With 25 seconds left, Mitchell tied the score at 46 with a pair of free throws. The teams combined for 10 ties -- three in the second overtime.
"They brought their press at us and we turned the game over," Hubbard coach Scott Grover said. "We must handle pressure better; but if there is a positive to this, it is that we competed fiercely throughout this game."
Jason Martin added another free throw with 10 seconds gone in the first overtime to give Struthers its first lead since the 7:45 mark of the second quarter.
Not over yet: The Wildcats then built a 57-51 lead with 24 seconds left in the first overtime, but Hubbard's Jason Lenzi and Smith each hit 3-pointers in the final 13 seconds to tie the score.
Smith had a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Franceschelli and senior Nick Leiter each scored 18 points. Mitchell had 12 points and 17 of his team's 40 rebounds. Martin scored 11 points and grabbed 13 boards.
Hubbard outrebounded Struthers 55-40, but had 28 turnovers to just 15 for the Wildcats.
"Coach Fuline always emphasizes defense, and that's what won this game for us tonight," Leiter said.
Lenzi had 18 points for the Eagles. Dave Phillips added 11 rebounds.