LEETONIA Bluejays use hot start to topple Bears, 75-48

Tim Shaw and Zack Nicholas combined to score 40 points for Jackson-Milton.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LEETONIA -- The Jackson-Milton High boys basketball team used a powerful inside game as Tim Shaw and Zack Nicholas combined for 40 points to lead the visiting Bluejays to a 75-48 victory over Leetonia on Friday.
The Bluejays (3-1) set the tempo early in the non-league encounter as they jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first four minutes and the Bears (1-4) couldn't recover.
"It was really huge that we got that big lead early," said Shaw. "When you do that, you get the momentum and it's hard for them to come back."
The Bears turned the ball over four times before attempting their first shot and were 0-for-4 on field goal attempts, with six turnovers, during those first four minutes.
During that same span, the Bluejays hit on 6 of 12 shots.
Ran away early
Ahead 14-4, Jackson-Milton ran off eight straight points and coasted from there. Shaw scored three baskets during the run as the Bluejays got two, three and sometimes four shots at the basket.
"All we did yesterday was box out drills," said Nicholas. "I guess it helped."
The Bluejays led 26-6 at the end of the first quarter and had a 14-7 rebounding advantage.
Leetonia got it going a little bit in the second quarter when Ryan Weikart scored five straight points to cut the gap to 30-13 at 5:24.
Jackson-Milton countered with eight straight points in the final 1:07 of the quarter. Shaw scored 16 points and Nicholas 18 as the Bluejays led 49-17 at the break.
Shaw and Nicholas each scored 20 points and Shaw had eight rebounds and three steals. Nicholas had nine rebounds and four assists.
About Shaw and Nicholas, Jackson-Milton coach Steve Sachire said, "Those two guys are quick getting off the ground. We preach to the team, chase your shots and go after loose balls."
Bluejays own boards also
Jackson-Milton controlled the boards 44-23 and got 12 of those from Rick Green.
"Shaw, Nicholas and Green really did a good job of crashing in there," Sachire said.
Mark Valent had 13 points -- including three 3-pointers -- for Jackson-Milton.
"We couldn't leave them too much room on the offensive boards," said Leetonia coach Jay Airhart, "and at times we did."