Reaching the crest: Rebels control TCL

Crestview defeated rival Columbiana to clinch part of the league title.
& lt;a href=mailto:bassetti@vindy.com & gt;By JOHN BASSETTI & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW WATERFORD -- Crestview High's Katie Kibby was in possession of the traveling trophy that comes with beating the Rebels' Tri-County League rival, and Kibby's team was celebrating its title-clinching accomplishment, a 57-50 victory Monday over Columbiana.
It made for a successful ending to a game that Crestview appeared to be in control of at halftime, before the Clippers rallied.
Trailing 39-18 after making just 7-of-31 shots in the first half, Columbiana, the defending league champion, came out smoking in the second half and made 15-of-25 from the field.
But it wasn't enough.
On guard
"We knew they'd come out of the gate," Crestview coach Tanja Simione said of Columbiana's burst. "It was nice to have such a great start."
The Clippers got to within three points, 53-50.
"It came down to big rebounds and big shots down the stretch," Columbiana coach Wayne Johnson said. "We got to three and had the ball, which is all we could ask. We wanted to put them on the line, but it didn't turn out the way we expected."
He was referring to strategy the Clippers (16-3, 11-2) used during their 70-60 victory at Columbiana earlier this season.
In that game, Crestview made about 50 percent of its free throws. Monday night, the Rebels converted 7-of-13 in the fourth quarter and 15-of-25 for the game.
"We couldn't get over the hump," Johnson said of his team that sank just 5-of-11 foul shots.
Crestview (17-2, 12-1) can win the TCL crown outright with a victory over Leetonia on Friday.
The traveling trophy between the schools just 5 miles apart will stay at Crestview until it goes up for grabs again in softball season.
Leaders
Kibby had a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. A week ago, the 6-foot-3 senior surpassed the 1,000-point plateau. Bri Phillis added 16 points and freshman Elyse Mongillo scored 10.
Columbiana was led by Stacie Cross with 13 points, while Cara Hardenbrook scored 11 and Carly Washinko and Lisa Simon added nine apiece.
Washinko was averaging a team-best 15, but picked up her third foul early in the second quarter and was called for her fourth with 1:30 remaining in the third period.
The 18 points Columbiana had at halftime was its lowest 16-minute output this season. The Clippers, averaging 62 points per game this season, were outscored 24-6 in the second period.
"Crestview was on a pretty good roll and played some good defense," said Johnson.
"We had the looks but couldn't make our shots. In the second half, it seemed like they started falling for us."
Aggressive mindset
Clutching the traveling trophy, Kibby said that the Rebels knew they had to come out strong in the third quarter to protect their big lead.
"It got shaky near the end, but we knew we had to protect the ball. We knew not to force it in, rather, just work around until someone got open," she said.
Mongillo had six assists and four steals and Caitlin Crowell added three steals.
Simione wanted a slower-paced game than the earlier meeting this season.
"We were trying to take them out of their rhythm," she said. "We were running a stall offense and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch."
The Clippers, who lost point guard Whitney Goist a few weeks ago, have been adapting to freshman Krista Johnson, who had only one turnover, a couple steals and played well defensively.
"She helped us pick up the tempo," Johnson said. "Like Mongillo, Krista is a good floor person. She did an outstanding job. Her rivalry with Mongillo will build."
& lt;a href=mailto:bassetti@vindy.com & gt;bassetti@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;