Russo leads Spartans to win over Hoover

The junior scored a career-high 29 points in Boardman's 60-56 win in the Division I district.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ALLIANCE -- When a crucial game comes down to the foul line, Boardman High girls basketball coach Ron Moschella says junior guard Ashlee Russo is money in the bank.
Although Moschella didn't attach a currency denomination to his description, Russo played like a million bucks Thursday against North Canton Hoover, scoring a career-high 29 points to lead the Spartans to a 60-56 victory in a Division I district semifinal at Alliance High School.
"I keep touting [Russo] as one of the best guards in the state of Ohio, and I believe it," said Moschella. "That kid can take it to the bucket -- she played a phenomenal game."
Hoover coach Paul Wackerly agreed. "Ashlee Russo took over the show."
Finals Saturday: Saturday, the third-seeded Spartans (17-5) will defend their I district title against top-seeded Canton McKinley.
"This is a great feeling," Russo said. "We expected to get here, but everyone kept saying that we're such a young team."
Russo muscled her way through the second-seeded Vikings defense to score eight baskets.
She also sank a dozen free throws, including nine down the stretch as the Spartans pulled away.
Despite the tournament pressure, Russo said she "felt comfortable because this year, there were five or six games where it came down to the end and I needed to make [free throws]. That prepared me for this game."
Which was tougher? Going to the hole, Russo replied.
"In the first half, I got a little tired, so it made it harder for me to keep pushing it," Russo said. "In the second half, I got my second wind and relaxed more."
Took control: With Boardman ahead 41-40 entering the fourth quarter, Russo took over at the foul line as the Spartans eliminated the Vikings (17-5) for the second consecutive year.
Senior forward Jen Kish and freshman forward Amber Bland added 13 points apiece for Boardman.
Kish put the Spartans ahead for good at 47-46 with driving basket. Russo scored eight of the game's next 10 points on six free throws and a basket to give Boardman a seven-point cushion.
Russo's free throws combined with desperation shots spelled doom for the Vikings.
"We played a little out of control," Wackerly said. "In the second half, we were too impatient with some of our [offensive plays]."
Another key, Moschella said, was how well freshman point guard Brittany Durkin defensed Hoover's best player, junior guard Abbey Moore.
Moore was kept scoreless until she hit two 3-pointers in the final 20 seconds.
Katie Glaws led Hoover with 21 points, while Catharine Portyrata added 12 and Katie Moriarity had 10.
Bench support: Junior forward Megan Murray helped the Spartans off the bench when Bland was tagged with two fouls in the first 51/2 minutes.
As Bland sat out the second quarter, the Spartans built up a six-point lead, then watched the Vikings ignite for a 10-0 run and a 26-22 halftime advantage.
"I have a rule that when you pick up two fouls that fast, you sit," Moschella said, "and we weathered the storm."
The move paid off in the third quarter as Bland and Russo each scored six points to help Boardman regain the lead.