FEDERAL LEAGUE Eargle leads Fitch against GlenOak

He rallied the Falcons in the third quarter for a 66-57 win.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- Terrell Eargle led a late third-period charge that continued into the fourth Friday as Fitch topped Canton GlenOak 66-57 in a Federal League game.
The win pushed Fitch's record to 10-3, 4-2, while GlenOak stands 8-5, 3-3.
"Tonight was a huge night for the Federal League," said Fitch coach Gary Conroy. "You had the number one team playing the number two team and the number three team playing the number four team.
"This win will put us at the number three seed in our postseason tournament and it will keep us away from the number one seed," he added.
Clay sparks GlenOak
GlenOak was more than holding its own in the third period, thanks mainly to the inside play of 6-foot-5 Clay Long, who scored eight of his team-leading 17 points in the first 1 minute, 46 seconds.
His last score, coming at 1:46, was his team's last fielder until 3:27 of the fourth period. The Long basket also gave the Golden Eagles their last lead of the game, 45-43.
Eargle takes control
Here, Eargle began to pick up steam. His back-to-back fielders broke the fifth tie of the third period and gave Fitch a 47-45 edge.
And he wasn't done.
He banked in a shot to start the finale, and after a teammate scored he stole the ball and converted, giving the Falcons a 54-45 lead at 6:01.
Michael Hardy then scored twice, once on an assist from Eargle, as the hosts opened their biggest lead, 58-45 at 4:12.
"Terrell is definitely our guy," said Conroy. "You want to have the ball in his hands. And tonight, we finally got some points from some other people. Michael Hardy's play made a big difference."
Eagles rally back
Following Hardy's fielders, Fitch hit a dry spell and the GlenOak quintet took advantage. The Eagles scored a quick six points, and when Anthony Cage heated up from 3-point range, GlenOak was with four, 58-54 at 2:33.
The Eagles had one chance to come closer, but they came up empty as Hardy and Eargle sealed the deal.
Hardy, who ended with 14 points, scored to make it 60-54 and Eargle's steal on the Eagles' next possession iced it.
"[Eargle] did some great things on defense," said Conroy, "things that don't show up in the boxscore."
GlenOak coach Jack Greynolds Jr. added, "Both teams were pretty even. We just needed to be more consistent. Plus, we gave up the ball at times and that led to some easy baskets."
Mark Aikens scored 18 points, including two 3-pointers.