YOUNGSTOWN Young Cardinals roll over Struthers with 64-51 victory

Mooney sophomore Jeff Hehr contributed 17 points.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The young Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team is off to a quiet and surprising 3-1 start after knocking off Struthers, 64-51, Friday at home.
Junior Curtis Ingram scored 18 points and sophomore Jeff Hehr added 17 to lead the Cardinals, who have just two seniors this year.
When Mooney coach Nick Bellino decided to play a majority of underclassmen -- especially players from a talented sophomore class -- he wasn't sure how the team would develop.
After the impressive win over the Wildcats, Bellino says he is pleasantly surprised with the Cardinals.
"I like this team," Bellino said. "They're young, they're interesting and they want to learn. As long as they continue to learn, they'll continue to get better."
It seemed as if the Cardinals could not play any better than they did during a stretch from the middle of the second quarter until midway through the final period when they led Struthers by 16 points (50-34).
"I think we did a great job in rebounding, foul shooting and shot selection tonight," Bellino said. "Those things enabled us to get out to the big lead."
Sophomore show: Leading 24-16 at halftime, Hehr was the key to holding off any Struthers charge as he hit three big baskets in the third quarter.
Hehr made seven of his 10 shots from the field and nailed both free-throw attempts.
"Herr shot the ball really well today," Bellino said. "That's stepping up big time for a sophomore. I mean that's over and above the call of duty."
Bellino also got strong play from sophomores Ron Stoops (6 points, 4 rebounds) and David Zidian (4 points, 4 rebounds).
The Cardinals built its big lead by pounding the Wildcats on the boards. Mooney outrebounded Struthers 35-17 and got many of their points on second chance baskets.
Struthers who has had to rally in the second half of most of their games, tried to mount an effort late in the fourth period.
Struthers pressed the Cardinals with some success in the final minutes
The Wildcats cut the 18-point Mooney lead to nine points on a Jason Martin basket with 1:21 remaining, but could get no closer.
Slow start: The two teams played an even but low scoring first quarter before Mooney closed strong to end with an 11-7 lead.
Struthers coach Joe Fuline said he still can't quite figure out his team.
"We have to get more consistent," said Fuline whose team was coming off a huge win over Chaney. "We lack experience and until we get that we are going to have these kinds of games.
"We have to execute better and stay focused the entire game, and we didn't do that."
Struthers was led in scoring by Jim Tabak with 17 points while Martin added 15.
For Mooney, senior Joe Burke scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds from his guard position.