Spartans subdue Cowboys with strong third quarter

Boardman outscored Chaney 25-16 in the third quarter.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- If the Boardman High boys basketball team opens tournament play Tuesday like its third-quarter performance Friday against Chaney, Uniontown Lake should be concerned.
Mike DeOnofrio's 20 points led four players in double figures and host Boardman used a 25-point third quarter en route to a 66-53 victory over the Cowboys.
"I thought we played more intense in the second half than we did at the outset of the game," Boardman coach Dan Gorski said. "We've played hard all year and our effort has never been questioned."
In addition to DeOnofrio's team-high 20 points, Jon Kocon added 12 points, while Nick Ludban and Jay Davis added 11 and 10, respectively.
Kelvin Shaw scored a game-high 21 points for the Cowboys (4-16).
Back and forth
The Spartans (8-12) took an early 7-2 lead when DeOnofrio hit the first of his four goals from beyond the arc at the 5:55 mark.
The Cowboys then went on a 12-3 run as Dominique Peak scored eight of his 18 points during the run as Chaney took a 14-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
Davis, DeOnofrio and Ludban each had four points in the period, with Boardman outscoring the Cowboys 14-9 as the Spartans forged a 25-23 lead at intermission.
"We played hard in the first half and our concentration was to key on both [Jay] Davis and [Mike] DeOnofrio as they are Boardman's go-to guys," Chaney coach Don D'Alesio said. "Our adjustment at halftime was to keep the ball away from them inside.
"They are big and strong and they beat us where we thought they would," he added. "All year long the third quarter has been our downfall and that is exactly what happened to us tonight."
Pulling away
DeOnofrio's 10 points and Ludban's seven in the third quarter keyed the Spartans to 11-of-14 from the field as Boardman opened a 50-39 lead, never looking back the rest of the way.
A Kocon lay-up with 1:33 remaining gave Boardman its largest lead at 66-48, but the Cowboys finished the game with an 8-2 run to cut the final margin to 13 points.
"I'm happy that our seniors were able to go out a winner," Gorski said. "This was a large class three years ago, but only four remained and that is a credit to their hard work both on and off the court.
"All four seniors are very special in their own way," he added. "Jay Davis and Mike DeOnofrio each were three-year starters; Chris Wire overcame serious elbow surgery as a freshman, while Carl Centofanti comes ready to play each and every day. He just loves the game and it really shows."