Clippers topple Reserve

By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Western Reserve was the home team Friday night, but the Blue Devils were playing on a strange floor and it cost them against Columbiana.
Playing in the first game of a tripleheader at Youngstown State University, Western Reserve had trouble finding the hoop early and dropped a 58-32 contest to the Clippers.
"This game was supposed to have been at our floor," said Western Reserve coach Steve Miller. "We felt this would be a great experience for our kids and it was. We just didn't shoot very well tonight."
Poor shooting night
The Blue Devils (1-2) made just 12-of-50 attempts from the field, and five of those baskets came in the fourth quarter. They were 7-of-38 through three quarters.
Columbiana (3-0) didn't shoot a whole lot better through the first two quarters, making just 6-of-29, but the Clippers found the range in the second half, although most of their shots came on lay-ups.
"We knew this floor would cause problems for both teams," said Columbiana coach Jeff Hammond. "But we told our kids to be patient and play good defense."
The Clippers got 19 points from senior Austen Couchenour, the only player from either team in double figures.
Seniors Ryan Schmidt and David Cramer each added eight points for the Clippers.
Nick Sanders and Brock Christie each scored seven points to lead Western Reserve.
Clippers took early lead
Columbiana jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but Christie came off the bench early and hit a 3-point goal and a regular basket as the Blue Devils tied the score 6-6. The Clippers led 12-9 after one period.
The second quarter was a shooters' nightmare for both teams. While Western Reserve went 1-for-14 from the field, missing its first nine shots, the Clippers were just 2-of-15. At halftime the Blue Devils trailed just 18-12 and shot less than 20 percent from the field.
"That's really what I told our kids at halftime." said Miller. "That we were still in the ball game despite our shooting and we just needed to come out and get started in the second half."
Third quarter decided game
The Blue Devils actually made their first two shots of the third quarter, but then missed their next 10 before finishing 3-of-14 and allowing themselves to fall behind 34-21.
"The kids lost confidence in themselves after that and the fourth quarter was nothing but turnovers on our part and lay-ups on their part," Miller added.
Western Reserve finished with 26 turnovers, to 12 for Columbiana. The Clippers also outrebounded the Blue Devils 34-29.
Western Reserve came out in the fourth quarter and cut the margin to 10 points (36-26) on two quick baskets by Jake Zatchok, but Columbiana then ran off 12 unanswered points and took a 48-26 lead to wrap up the victory.
"It was a great experience for our kids to play in this place," Hammond said. "I know it was their home game and it probably was to our advantage to play here, but I think the experience benefited both teams."
mollica@vindy.com