BUBBA MEMORIAL Trumbull girls repel Mahoning

Liberty's Lena Esmail and Brittny Humphrey delivered for Trumbull at crunch time.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County All-Stars packed too much depth and talent for the Mahoning County All-Stars in the third annual Frank J. Bubba Memorial basketball game Friday at Warren Harding's gym.
But despite those big differences, Mahoning gave Trumbull all it could handle, and the game wasn't decided until the waning seconds, thanks in large part to Lena Esmail and Brittny Humphrey, both from Liberty High.
With Trumbull leading by only five points, 74-69, Esmail plugged a clutch goal with about one minute left to blunt Mahoning's comeback, and paved the way to a 77-71 victory.
Just before Esmail's big goal, Humphrey hit three straight baskets to repel Mahoning, which was rallying behind Renee Farina of Salem to stay within striking distance.
Esmail, Farina MVPs
Esmail finished with a team-high 16 points and was named Trumbull's Most Valuable Player, while Stacia Ray of Niles added 15, including four 3-point goals; Lynle Cornell of Hubbard 12 points and Humphrey eight.
Farina, who scored 10 of Mahoning's final 14 points, had a game-high 23 points and was named Mahoning's MVP. Allison Ginnetti (Struthers), Rebecca Slattery (Ursuline) and Lauren Teal (Salem) added nine each.
"We had a little bit more depth. We had quite a few girls who scored and put up some numbers," said Trumbull coach Dave Konczal of Hubbard.
"Every time they made a run at us, we hit some big shots. [Lisa] Flickinger [of Maplewood] hit some big 3s [two] and Humphrey [made] some shots inside and Esmail in the post. We seemed to keep that lead at the 8-10 point range."
Trumbull versatile
Esmail said Trumbull's players were very versatile.
"Many of the girls can shoot 3s. Our guards were rebounding well and the forwards were shooting the 3s. We were mixing it up. We were more than one-dimensional," said Esmail.
Humphrey credited her strong finish to finally getting some playing time.
"I haven't played for a while, and I was just getting warmed up. I hustled and got on the boards for loose balls," said Humphrey.
Farina, whose goal and foul shot at 1:50 drew Mahoning to within 74-69, said Trumbull had good players, especially on defense.
"Our defense didn't really stop them. They had a lot of talent," said Farina.
Trumbull's Erika Molden of Warren Harding injured her shoulder with 8:38 left and was taken away by ambulance. She had six points.
Steffi Graf of Poland won the 3-point shooting contest by besting Howland's Sara Krezeczowski in the final shoot-out, 12-5.
kovach@vindy.com