Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Chad Baker and Jordan Ferns led the Cards' 46-40 win over Lakeview.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- Chad Baker had a team-high 16 points to help lead the Canfield High boys basketball team Tuesday to a 46-40 win over Lakeview.
Baker's points included five of the Cardinals' seven points in the final period.
The win was the fifth in a row for the Cardinals (5-1), while the Bulldogs fell for the second time in five outings.
"I thought Baker hit some big shots late in the game while Jordan Ferns came up big for us, as well, tonight," Canfield coach John Cullen said.
Ferns scored 14 points.
"Both teams are a mirror image of each other," Cullen said. "Neither team is flashy; both just come to play so you better be ready to mix it up once you step on the court.
"These teams can play 10 times and it would probably be 5-5 after those 10 contests," Cullen said.
Williams hits 18
Lakeview's Chuck Williams scored seven of his game-high 18 points in the opening period, but a Ferns' 3-point goal as time expired gave the Cardinals an 18-16 lead.
It was a lead that Canfield did not relinquish.
Ferns' two buckets to start the second quarter increased the Cardinals' lead to 22-16, but Williams' lay-up at 3:29 ended a 5:35 scoring drought.
The Cardinals led 26-22 at intermission.
"We're making strides, but it's tough to play catch-up, especially against a well-coached team like Canfield," Lakeview coach Larry Herrholtz said.
"I was pleased with the play of Chuck Williams tonight," Herrholtz said. "We knew we had to pound it inside and Williams did just that."
Baker's seven points and six by Ferns in the third period helped the Cardinals to a 38-31 lead.
Biggest lead
When Baker hit a jumper at 7:27 of the final quarter, Canfield enjoyed its biggest lead of the night, 41-31.
The closest the Bulldogs got the rest of the way was 41-38, when Mike Frangiamore nailed a jumper from the free thrown line at the 3:59 mark.
The Cardinals, however, put the game away as Baker hit a 3-pointer and John Virostko canned two free throws to secure the victory.
The Bulldogs held a 27-22 rebounding advantage. Lakeview's Brent McCullough led all rebounders with eight.