LOWELLVILLE Nero helps Rockets pull past Mathews to stay in title hunt

Lowellville's only league loss came against Springfield.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LOWELLVILLE -- How big of a game lies ahead for the Lowellville High girls basketball team?
Recognizing that Amanda Nero was being questioned about Monday's game against Springfield, Lowellville coach Tony Matisi leaned in, smiled and said to his junior standout, "Don't say nothin'."
Indeed, these are critical times in the Inter-County League, when coaches will do whatever it takes to gain an edge.
Nero obliged her coach's request, not giving Springfield any bulletin-board material.
"I love those games," Nero said. "It's why you play basketball."
League scenario
Unbeaten and state-ranked Springfield (7-0) sits atop the ICL, with South Range (6-1) and Lowellville (6-1) one game behind.
South Range visits Springfield on Saturday before Lowellville plays host to the Tigers on Monday.
"We played them tough," Matisi remembered of a Jan. 5 game in New Middletown. "We thought we should have won up there."
Lowellville, which shared the title with the Tigers last season, lost that game 49-43.
"When we sat in Springfield's locker room, this is where we wanted to be -- ready for the rematch," Matisi said.
Consider them ready.
The Rockets tuned up for that rematch Thursday by rallying from a seven-point first-half deficit against Mathews and winning 58-43.
"We're in a good spot right now, but I think we can get better," Nero said. "We need to keep the momentum going into the tournament. We had an early exit last year; we don't want that to happen again."
First things first: Springfield, which improved to 13-0 overall Thursday with a 70-27 victory over Mineral Ridge.
"The top scorer for us [Nero] and the top scorer for them [Springfield's Lindsay Johnson] are the best of friends and they've played AAU together," Matisi said. "That's what makes it a very good rivalry."
Back to work
Lowellville kept pace with Springfield by overcoming a sluggish start against Mathews. The Mustangs took a seven-point lead (22-15) with just over three minutes remaining in the half.
But the Rockets battled back.
"This group is so blue collar," Matisi said.
Nero's 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer forced a tie at 24-all and Lowellville used a 15-1 third-quarter run to take command.
Nero struggled to find her rhythm -- shooting 3-of-14 from 3-point range -- but still scored a game-high 21 points. She added eight steals, six rebounds and two assists.
"I never really got it," Nero said of her shot, "so I tried to concentrate on defense, because your offense comes off your defense."
Junior Dana Donatelli scored 13 of her 15 points after halftime to help Lowellville (10-3) rally.
"We need that from her," Nero said. "When she's playing like that, it's so much better for us. I think we're unstoppable when she plays like that."
Mathews (6-6, 2-4) was led by Melanie Roscoe and Sarah King with 10 points each.
richesson@vindy.com