Struthers boys win first Holiday Classic title 63-39

By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- The Struthers Wildcats put together a solid team effort and easily won the first Wildcat Holiday Classic boys championship with a 63-39 rout of Woodrow Wilson Saturday night.
"Our main goal has been defense and each game the kids are buying into it more," said Struthers coach Don Corey.
Senior Mike Deponty led the Wildcats with 23 points and six rebounds. He got plenty of help from Chris Kadvan with 13 points, Max Kukura with 12 points and nine assists, Josh Vlosich with nine points and eight rebounds and Matt Wilson with six points and eight rebounds.
The Wildcats (3-2) opened up a 17-10 lead after the first quarter, before Wilson came back to tie the game at 23-23 midway through the second quarter. Struthers led 27-23 at halftime.
Third quarter run
Leading 33-28 Struthers went on an 8-0 run to open the advantage to 41-28 and led 47-32 after three quarters and then pulled away to the final margin.
Wilson got nine points each from Keith Tubbs and Justin Maxwell and seven points and 10 rebounds from William Johnson.
"We have shown an ability to run because the guys are fundamentally sound and we are taking good care of the ball and make good passes. We had our seniors and juniors step up and we are happy with the enthusiasm shown at the start of the season," said Corey.
In the boys consolation game Deric Graft scored 26 points to lead Columbiana to a 59-46 win over Mathews.
Tarin Brown led the Mustangs with 17 points.