MAC/TAC ROUNDUP Newton Falls soars past Eagles with season-opening 61-51 win

Struthers, Girard, Howland and Lakeview also posted opening victories.
By JAMIE TRINA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- Mother Nature attempted to stop most of the games in the area, but she failed to bring an end to Friday's Warren JFK-Newton Falls contest.
As the snow continued to fall, the Eagles (0-1) remained dormant as the visiting Tigers (1-0) pounced on them for a 61-51 victory.
"I knew it was going to be ugly," Kennedy coach John Condoleon said. "Not this ugly, but I knew it was going to be ugly."
Kennedy led at the end of the first quarter 18-14, but it faded quickly.
The Tigers outscored the Eagles 12-6 in the closing minutes of the half and then took a 32-29 lead into the intermission.
They never looked back.
The Eagles scored only eight points in the third quarter, and continued to struggle to find the basket for the remainder of the game.
Kennedy finished the night 14-53 from the field and 6-21 from the 3-point arc.
"We took quick shots when we should have settled down, & quot; Condoleon said. "I knew we were going to have a poor shooting night. Even though you (Kennedy) have a poor shooting night, you can't give up 61 points."
Junior Anthony Olive paced the Eagles with 16 points, and teammate Colin Clemente also put up double digits with 15.
Alex Cooper scored a game-high 18 points for Newton Falls. Teammates Eric Medallis, and Kirby Spahlinger added to the offensive totals with 23 combined points.
Struthers 55, Champion 51
STRUTHERS -- Mike Duponty scored 23 points to lead Struthers.
Rick Kukura added 12 points for the Wildcats, who took a 42-34 lead into the fourth quarter and held off the Golden Flashes.
Jake Gross scored 23 points to pace Champion.
Girard 54, McDonald 47
MCDONALD -- The Indians (1-0) built a 43-29 lead by the end of the third quarter, then held off a late rally by the Blue Devils (0-1).
Marc Williams sparked the Indians with 17 points. Greg Barton chipped in with 15 and Nick Canterino had 10.
James Beedle led the Blue Devils with 17 points.
Howland 61, Hubbard 52
HOWLAND -- Neil Claggett netted 11 points and Justin Byler hit three 3-pointers as the Tigers won their opener.
Four Eagles reached double figures -- Jacoby Morris with 12, Todd Coonce with 11, Matt Yanik with 10 and Jeff Jablonski with 10.
Lakeview 62, Maplewood 52
CORTLAND -- Behind by two points at intermission, Lakeview (1-0) outscored Maplewood (0-1) 20-8 in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs' balanced scoring attack had Chuck Williams leading the way with 15 points, while Brent McCullough and Matt Nero added 13 apiece.
Jeremy Mohorick led the Rockets with 14 points. Bryan Wayne had 11.
Lakeview won the battle of the boards 31-24, with Williams grabbing seven.