New league, same rivalry

Terrell Eargle, Mark Aikens and Fitch's defense were too much for Boardman.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- When Terrell Eargle and Mark Aikens both are having good games for the Austintown Fitch High boys basketball team, and the Falcons are playing strong defense overall, they are tough to beat.
Such was the case Friday night in the first Federal League meeting between the two former Steel Valley Conference rivals.
Eargle had a near-career-best night with 27 points, 10 rebounds, nine steals and six assists, while Aikens contributed 22 points -- including five 3-point goals -- as Fitch (11-4, 5-2) broke open a close game in the third quarter and then survived a late Boardman comeback for a 60-56 win.
But the Falcons' defense truly was the catalyst for the victory.
Turnovers are telling
"We had 14 steals versus one for them in the first half," said Fitch coach Gary Conroy. "We had good defensive pressure and prevented them from executing to get the ball inside, and put pressure on them before they got the ball into the paint."
Conroy said his team made a defensive change at halftime after rallying from a bad start to take a 29-26 lead.
"We put Eargle on [Mike] DeOnofrio. [DeOnofrio] had a great first half [14 points]. Eargle gave him fits and shut him down. That helped us to get a run in the third quarter," said Conroy.
DeOnofrio was held to only four points in the second half to finish with a team-high 18, while Jay Davis added 16 points and 12 rebounds and Nick Ludban 10 points for the Spartans (6-9, 2-5).
Factors in defeat
Boardman coach Dan Gorski said two factors led to his team's demise.
"We made 22 turnovers and gave up 14 offensive rebounds. It's hard to beat a team as good as Fitch with those numbers," said Gorski.
"We turned it over the first four possessions [of the second half], and they hit three jumpers in a row."
Boardman fell into a 46-36 hole after three periods and trailed by as many as 16, 58-42, down the stretch before coming back to make it close.
Influence each other
Eargle and Aikens said they seem to influence each other in a game when they both are playing well.
"We work off each other. If he's doing well, I'm doing well. When they focus on him, that leaves me open," said Aikens. "It was senior night and we tried to make it a good game. I just felt like I wanted to hit some shots."
Added Eargle, "We play together. When one is not doing well, the other picks it up. When we both have an off night, we seem to lose. And when both are playing better, we win."
Eargle credited his nine steals to his long arms.
"I can reach to get the ball," he said.
Overall, he said, "I was real focused."
Fitch regroups
Fitch missed its first 11 shots of the game and trailed 13-8 after the first period, but Eargle scored 12 points in the second quarter to lead the Falcons' comeback.
Aikens connected for 11 points in the third quarter -- including three 3-point goals -- as Fitch boosted its advantage to 46-36 entering the fourth period.
There, Eargle had six points and Aikens five as the Falcons took their biggest advantage, 58-42, before Boardman reeled off a 13-2 run fueled by Davis and Ludban.
Davis had seven of the points and Ludban five as the Spartans whittled the deficit to 60-56 before running out of time.
kovach@vindy.com