Boardman, Ursuline in showdown

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Boardman High girls basketball coach Ron Moschella doesn't think the Spartans are as good as they were last season.
He thinks they're better.
"We were young last year," he said. "The kids have gotten better in the off-season and they've worked really hard to improve.
"But we still have a long way to go."
The Spartans (9-0, 3-0) face a big test on Thursday when they play at Steel Valley Conference rival Ursuline (10-0, 2-0).
Expect to win
They are the only remaining undefeated teams from the area's six major conferences.
"It's going to be pretty crazy," Ursuline coach Sean Durkin said. "There's no secrets between us. They're always great games that go down to the fourth quarter. We've been winning this year and we expect to win on Thursday."
Boardman has not lost a Steel Valley Conference game since Ursuline beat them four years ago in Durkin's first game against the Spartans.
He has since lost seven straight to Boardman.
"We were struggling that year and that was sort of the turning point for us," he said of the victory. "It got the ball rolling and gave us some confidence and we ended up winning the district that year. I think it played a big role in our success since then."
Coach excited
The Spartans have not been seriously tested this season and Moschella said he is excited to face one of the area's best teams.
But he said it's not Boardman's biggest rivalry.
"I don't know if it's even a rivalry," he said. "Ursuline might look at it differently, but I think to call it a rivalry, you have to win once in awhile. I just consider it a good game against a good team."
Durkin begs to differ.
"It sure does feel like a big rivalry," he said. "They're so familiar to us and whenever our kids see the schedule, they want to know when we play Boardman. We have a lot of tough games on our schedule and it's been tough at times to keep them on task. But now it's here."
Two of area's best players
The game also pits two of the area's best players -- Boardman junior Amber Bland and Ursuline junior Courtney Davidson.
"Bland is obviously one of the best, if not the best, players in the state," Durkin said. "She's nearly impossible to handle. But we think we have the athletes to play with them now."
The Spartans have not lost a SVC title since Fitch won in 1994. Ursuline has never won an SVC title.
"I think they think they have their best chance of beating us," Moschella said. "And you know what? They probably do.
"They're a good basketball team and this is going to be a good game. I'm excited to see how our girls respond."
scalzo@vindy.com