TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE United rallies past E. Palestine

Michelle Foster and Alexis Thomas each scored 12 points for the Golden Eagles.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST PALESTINE -- Using a balanced scoring attack, with four of five starters in double figures, United High rallied in the third quarter Monday and went on to a 49-34 victory over East Palestine.
Behind Michelle Foster and Alexis Thomas, who each scored 12 points, and Sarah Hotchkiss and Mandy Clapsaddle with 10 apiece, United (11-1) improved its Tri-County League record to 6-0.
With the score tied for the ninth time at 23 early in the third quarter, United went on a 9-0 run spearheaded by Foster, who made back-to-back 3-pointers, the last giving the Golden Eagles a 32-23 lead with 2 minutes, 36 seconds remaining in the period.
Ashley Martin of East Palestine (7-4, 3-2) scored at the 2:14 mark to end the streak, but that turned out to be the Bulldogs' final basket of the contest.
East Palestine went the final 15:23 of the game with just one field goal. The Bulldogs committed seven turnovers and went missed all 10 shots they attempted in the fourth quarter.
Better team: Dan McKinstry, the coach of East Palestine, said, "They were much bigger and quicker than we were. After we were tied at 23-23, we lost our composure a little bit with a couple turnovers and fouls.
"Basically they are better than us, but at halftime I felt good."
The Bulldogs managed to stay close with an 18-for-22 effort at the foul line.
Samantha McKay led the Bulldogs with 10 points, while Martin finished with nine. Jennessa Greenawalt was 7-of-8 at the foul line.
East Palestine led on two separate occasions in both the first and second quarters.
United's ball-handling proved to be a key; the Eagles committed just two turnovers in the first quarter and only one in the decisive third.
Crestview 63, Sebring 29: SEBRING -- Katie Kibby, Cheryl McCall and Megan Mellinger combined to score 38 points for Crestview (6-6, 3-3 TCL).
Kibby scored 14 points and added seven rebounds, five blocked shots and four steals. McCall and Mellinger each had 12 points for the Rebels, who led 15-0 after one quarter and 34-3 at the break.
Morgan Morris scored 17 points for the Trojans (3-9, 1-5).
Leetonia 39, Lisbon 36: LEETONIA -- Jess Deville scored 15 points and pulled nine rebounds to lead the Bears (8-2, 4-1).
Tina Huckshold scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils (6-4, 2-3).