Spartans debut with victory

With a new coach and renovated gym, Boardman defeated Niles, 53-45.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman Spartans turned to a new head coach and a veteran point guard to start off the high school basketball season with a 53-45 victory over Niles in the Spartans' renovated gymnasium.
Jared Cardillo made his coaching debut for the Spartans and three-year starter Jon Kocon poured in 24 points to lead Boardman to an impressive win over an experienced Niles team that was returning three starters, including senior standout Bill Frech.
"It feels great," Cardillo said after posting his first coaching victory. "It's been a great experience since I've taken the job. The kids have been committed since day one and it paid off tonight.
"We started off a little rusty but the kids stuck together and we were able to pull out a win."
Hot second quarter
Boardman trailed 10-8 after the first quarter before Kocon began to get the Spartans back into the game with a torrid shooting stretch that lasted into the third quarter.
Kocon made all four of his shots in the second quarter and this first three in the third quarter along with a couple of free throws to key the Boardman rally.
"Kocon offensively, really stepped it up there for a while," Cardillo said. "He broke the ice for us and got our offense going."
Kocon tied the game at 10-10 early in the second quarter and by the time he missed his first shot, the Spartans held a 30-23 lead midway through the third period.
While Kocon was leading the Spartan offense, Cardillo used a 10-man rotation throughout the game to keep the pressure on Niles' shooters.
Too many miscues
The Red Dragons had an off-shooting night and it may have been a combination of first night jitters and Boardman's strong half-court defense.
Boardman forced Niles into committing 25 turnovers.
"I was very dissappointed in our ball handling," Niles coach Ron Price said. "We turned the ball over too much and had some concentration errors.
"I liked our rebounding and our effort," Price said. "If you told me we'd keep the game in the 50's and had 30 rebounds, I'd like our chances.
"We just didn't shoot very well."
Niles outrebounded Boardman 31-27 but Frech was held to five points.
Dragons don't die
Despite Niles' deficiencies, the Red Dragons rallied early in the fourth period to tie the game at 39-39 on Frech's 3-point basket.
Boardman rallied with 6-point run on baskets by Eric Johnson, Jeff Olenych and Kocon to open up a 45-39 lead.
The Spartans then put the game away at the foul line by making 7-of-11 free throws down the stretch.
Overall Boardman made 14-of-19 free throws and shot nearly 50 percent from the field.
Niles was led by Joe Razzano with 10 points along with junior Sean Cleary, who came off the bench to score all 10 of his points in the third quarter.
Andrew Cleary chipped in with eight points while Justin Allen grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
Deluca was Boardman's other double figure scorer with 11 points and he grabbed a team-high five boards.
"It was a great team effort," Cardillo said. "I hate to even single anyone out.
"The coaches put together a great game plan and the kids did a good job of executing it."