Girard prevails, Champion rolls

The TAC rivals will play in a Division III district semifinal.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HUBBARD -- Girard and Champion will meet for a third time this season after both posted victories Wednesday night in the boys Division III basketball tournament at Hubbard High.
The Indians struggled before defeating Brookfield 57-49, then the Golden Flashes beat Garrettsville Garfield 69-43 in the nightcap.
Girard and Champion will play the rubber match of their season next Tuesday in a district semifinal. The teams split their regular season games in the Trumbull Athletic Conference.
Motivation: "It's definitely going to be a war next week," said Champion coach Jeff Rasile. "We both know what the other is going to do so it's going to come down to who wants it the most."
Girard (15-6) took a 10-point lead at halftime, then increased that to 16 points in the third period before the Warriors (3-19) rallied.
"I told our kids that the first game was going to be the toughest because we were the favorite and Brookfield was the underdog," said Girard coach Mike DelBene. "We had two lousy days of practice this week. I think we play better when we are the underdog."
Leaders: The Indians were led by senior Greg Morgan and junior Randy Mason, who scored 16 points each, and senior Chris Simmons, who added 10.
"We were coasting along pretty good and then we got into some foul trouble and all of a sudden we couldn't do anything right," said DelBene.
Brookfield, which was led by sophomore Julian Hayes with 12 points and senior Dan Micaletti with 10, had trouble early with the Girard pressure, but settled down in the second half.
"The kids struggled a bit with their trap, but we've got three sophomores and two juniors who play the guard spots and they are still young," said Brookfield coach Chris Fahndrich.
In front: The Indians led 13-12 after the first quarter, then opened a 34-24 halftime edge.
Girard scored the first six points of the third quarter to take a 16-point lead, but by the end of the period Brookfield was within nine points, 46-37.
Girard scored just one basket in the first four minutes of the final period and made only 3-of-6 at the free throw line. The Warriors, sparked by two goals from Gary Malgieri and one each from Steve Gerber, Hayes and Teddy Swogger, closed to within 51-45 with 3:10 remaining.
Then the Indians regained their touch at the foul line. Morgan made 4-of-6 and Simmons hit two straight to keep the Warriors in check.
Took control: Champion (15-6) took control in the second period after a 14-14 tie after the first quarter. The Flashes scored the first nine points of the second quarter and led 35-27 at the intermission.
The Flashes blew the game open with a 13-0 run to start the third period. Garfield (8-14), which scored just three points in the quarter didn't score a field goal until the final minute and trailed 55-30.
"We made a couple of adjustments at halftime, but mainly we just told our kids to box out under the hoop and keep them away," said Rasile.
Scoring: The Flashes were led by Jared Gibson with 18 points and Kevin Stingel with 13, including three 3-point goals. Jeff Kovack and Mark Kish added 10 each.
Garfield was led by freshman Brian Cooper with 14 points, while Marcus Roach added 10.
"Champion's defense took us out of what we wanted to do offensively," said Garfield coach Mike Cook. "They had us taking shots that we normally don't take.
"Our strength is our inside game and Champion just wouldn't let us do that."