INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Nero helps Lowellville to win

Amanda Nero scored 29 points and 11 rebounds in a 55-44 win over Springfield.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LOWELLVILLE -- Coach Tony Matisi knows what a special player the Lowellville High girls basketball team has in Amanda Nero.
The Springfield Tigers found out first hand Thursday how good the Rockets' freshman guard really is.
Nero scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, registering her second double-double of the season, as the Rockets posted a come-from-behind, 55-44 victory over the Tigers in an Inter-County League game.
"Amanda Nero is a great player who knows what to do with the ball," Tigers coach Sandi Kohler said. "I sure don't like the idea of having to contend with her for the next four years."
"She knows exactly what to do with the ball when she gets it."
Second straight win: The Rockets (3-2, 2-0 ICL) won their second straight game and their first against Springfield in Matisi's four seasons.
"When we play at both ends of the court, we are capable of playing with anyone," Matisi said.
"While Amanda had her usual outstanding game, I was more impressed with the way the other players contributed."
"I was especially impressed with my team when we fell behind early, then had to dig out of that hole to pull to within one at halftime," Matisi said.
The Tigers (1-5, 0-2) scored the first eight points of the game and raced to a 15-11 lead.
They built a 24-19 lead with 1 minute, 21 seconds remaining in the first half when Lindsay Johnson sank the second of two technical free throws.
But Nero and Danielle Hvisdak each scored in the final 38 seconds to cut the Tigers' lead to 24-23 at the intermission.
"We picked our game up a notch in the second period after a sluggish start," Matisi said, "We were really lucky to trail by just one at halftime."
Took command: Nero's first bucket of the second half at the 7:29 mark gave Lowellville the lead for good at 25-24.
Nero and Danielle Hvisdak added two more buckets apiece as the Rockets capped a 15-0 run that gave them a 34-24 lead.
The Tigers could get no closer than 10 points the rest of the way, the last time at 52-42 with just under a minute to play.
If there was a down side to the Rockets' victory, turnovers remained a concern for Matisi and staff.
"We will have to cut down on 21 turnovers if we expect to contend for the league crown," Matisi said. "Being aggressive on defense does at times have its down side."
Hvisdak was the only other Rocket in double figures with 14.
Jessica Snyder led the Tigers with 13 points, including her team's only 3-point goal.