HUBBARD Eagles now 1-1, defeat Falcons

Four Hubbard players hit double figures, including Lynle Cornell with 20.
By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HUBBARD -- The Hubbard High girls basketball team returns all five starters from an 18-4 team a year ago.
The Austintown Fitch Falcons are in a rebuilding season with just three seniors on the roster and a number of sophomores and a freshman playing significant minutes.
That situation played itself out Saturday as the Eagles won easily, 80-33, to even their record at 1-1. Hubbard lost its opener, 60-49, to Boardman.
"We played extremely well in the loss to Boardman," Hubbard coach Dave Konczol said. "We played about as well as we can play. Today we were sloppy and sluggish."
The Eagles put away Fitch (1-2) early, opening a 24-1 lead and leading 45-12 at the half. Hubbard's pressure defense was too much for the inexperienced Falcons. The Eagles made 18 steals and forced 12 other turnovers.
Jami Duvall led the way defensively with six steals.
Top scorers
Lynle Cornell paced the Hubbard scoring with 20 points, including a 4-for-7 showing from behind the 3-point line.
Katy Jo Mroski scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Jill Phillips had 10 points and nine rebounds, Duvall scored 10 points and dished out five assists, and Loni Sargent scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
Konczol says the Eagles are taking aim at Trumbull Athletic Conference defending champion Girard.
"Girard has to be considered the favorite -- they've got everyone back," Konczol said. "We split with them last year, but we stumbled against Newton Falls and Girard won the rest of their games to finish 15-1 to our 14-2.
"Our first goal every year is to win the league," Konczol said. "With Girard as good as they are again this year, we have to make sure we don't slip up."
Konczol said the success of Hubbard's volleyball and girls soccer programs provide pluses and minuses to the basketball program.
"The good part is they learn how to win and to be successful," Konczol said. "The only negative is they come into basketball a little dinged up when their seasons go so long. Everyone has about a two-week jump on us."