Rayen too quick for 'Cats

The Tigers won for the second time, beating Struthers 49-28.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
STRUTHERS -- Cherrell Triplett had 18 points while freshman Taneisha Holland added 16 points to lead The Rayen School over Struthers High, 49-28, in a non-conference girls basketball game at Struthers Fieldhouse Wednesday night.
The quicker Tigers led the entire game and continued to outplay Struthers for their second victory in five games.
Late in the third quarter, Rayen was ahead by 19 points, 37-18.
"I expected a better game, but maybe they're young," Rayen coach Holly Seimetz said of the Wildcats. "But we're young, too, with just one senior."
That senior is Triplett, who also had 11 rebounds.
Controlled boards: Erica Wilson also had 11 rebounds for Rayen which controlled the boards, 50-31.
Struthers was also hurt by turnovers.
"They have a ton of athleticism," said Struthers coach Anne Wilson, "so we anticipated their quickness and speed. But we can't have 20 turnovers after one half and expect victory.
"We played well early, but then got rattled," Wilson said. "Then we didn't produce at the offensive end or the defensive end."
Wildcats rebuilding: Struthers graduated four starters and has only one returning starter from last year -- junior Laura Bell, who had a team-high eight points. Kristy Marapese added seven points for the Wildcats, who slipped to 1-3.
Of Struthers' four seniors this season, none has starting experience.
Despite losing the ball so much in the first half, the Wildcats finished with only six more turnovers than Rayen, 33-27.
Neither team shot well from the field: Rayen made 21-of-71 (29.5 percent) while the Wildcats made only 11-of-59 (18.6 percent).
Ariel Hardy chipped in five points for Struthers.
Seimetz said that Wednesday's game showed the coach something.
"They showed me they can hustle a whole game, not just in spurts. Triplett is playing more under control and looking for better shots closer to the basket."
After season-opening losses to Boardman and Canfield, Rayen beat Leetonia in a game in which Triplett had a career-high 36 points.
The Tigers then lost to Canton Central Catholic.
bassetti@vindy.com