Leetonia, McDonald advance

The Bears limited Western Reserve to 22 points.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LIBERTY -- The nicest thing Jerry Beltempo had to say about Wednesday's game wasn't all that nice.
"Well, I didn't think we played too bad in the second half except for the last three minutes," the Leetonia High girls basketball coach said. "I can't really call that one of our better games."
Did we mention his Bears won?
The Bears' offense wasn't pretty on Wednesday, but the defense was pretty good as Leetonia pulled away for a 38-22 victory over Western Reserve in a Division IV sectional semifinal at Liberty High School.
"I'm not sitting here with an 18-point victory crying in my beer," Beltempo said. "[But] we certainly have to play much better than that."
Leetonia shot just 15-of-35 from the field and committed 20 turnovers, but used a 14-5 third quarter advantage to pull away.
Deville, Summers sparkle
Senior center Jessica Deville had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Bears (15-6), who have won five straight district titles. Alison Summers added 14 points and nine rebounds as Leetonia outrebounded the Blue Devils 38-14.
"Allison has really stepped up the last two games," Beltempo said. "If Allison's not playing tonight, who knows what this is when we're done?"
Emily Johnson led Reserve (5-16) with seven points and four rebounds. The Blue Devils shot just 9-of-41 from the field (22 percent).
Leetonia advanced to play Bristol Saturday at 1 p.m.
McDonald 52, Lordstown 20
LIBERTY -- Sophomore guard Ashleigh Tondo had 18 points, six assists, five steals and four rebounds to lead the Blue Devils.
Sophomore Amy Dolsak added 11 points and 10 rebounds for McDonald (12-9) while junior Michelle Krumpak had eight points and five rebounds.
McDonald has no seniors and starts just one junior, but the lack of experience hasn't kept the Blue Devils from developing into a solid team.
"We have four returning lettermen and they've really stepped up their leadership role," McDonald coach Rob Hilbun said.
The Blue Devils advanced to play Jackson-Milton in Saturday's second game. The teams split during the regular season.
"They're a very good team," Hilbun said of Jackson-Milton. "We're definitely taking that game seriously."
Sarah Minor had 10 points and Jen Bennett had nine rebounds to lead Lordstown (4-17).