Nero is the hero

MASSILLON -- Lowellville's Amanda Nero is the first to admit that she has a quick temper.
For other players, getting frustrated would be enough to knock them off their game and cause a lack of focus. But for Nero, that's when she's at her best.
The senior overcame a 1-for-9 shooting start to score a game-high 37 points as Lowellville rallied from an 11-point deficit to outlast Kirtland 57-48 in a double overtime thriller in a Division IV regional semifinal at Perry High School.
"I get frustrated easily; that's just my personality," said Nero, who scored 32 points after halftime and hit seven 3-pointers. "I was frustrated because things weren't going our way and I didn't want the season to end.
"I'm so proud of my teammates because they never put their heads down. They wanted to win just as badly as I did. I can't do anything without my teammates. I just tried to do my best to make sure the season continued."
On a hot streak
With the Rockets trailing 25-14 early in the third quarter, Nero wasn't pleased. At one point, she threw her mouthpiece across the floor. That's when things started turning around for Lowellville.
Nero scored 22 of her team's next 24 points to rally the troops. Feeding off her intensity, her teammates stepped up defensively at just the right time.
The senior scored 11 of Lowellville's 13 points in the third quarter as the Rockets climbed back in and trailed just 29-27 heading into the fourth.
After a back-and-forth final quarter, the contest headed into the first overtime tied at 38-38.
Kirtland began the session well, building a 43-39 advantage with 1:00 remaining.
But with time running out on her senior season, Nero would not be denied.
She drilled two free throws to cut the deficit to 43-41 with 49 seconds left.
The Hornets had plenty of chances to seal the deal, but missed several crucial free throws, including a pair with 38 seconds remaining.
Trailing 43-41, Nero calmly drained another jumper to knot the score at 43-43 with 19 seconds left.
Key charging foul
After a timeout, Kirtland had possession and an opportunity for the winning shot. But Lowellville sophomore Kaitlin McCarthy drew a charge as the Hornets brought the ball up the floor to force a second OT.
In the second four-minute session, McCarthy continued to play well. She scored all seven of her points in the frame, including 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Nero added a pair of 3-pointers in the second overtime.
Lowellville outscored Kirtland 14-5 in the second overtime.
"We played terrible in the first half," said Lowellville coach Tony Matisi. "We just weren't patient enough to run our offense. But Amanda just took over defensively and shooting the ball. She refused to lose.
"Kaitlin [McCarthy] was so down on herself saying she couldn't play and lost her confidence, but I just told her that just like in golf when you hit a bad shot, you just forget about it. She really came up big for us."
Lowellville will have less than 48 hours to recover from the exhausting effort, as the Rockets will meet Mansfield St. Peter's in the regional final for the second straight year, Saturday at 7:30.
The Spartans edged East Canton 76-71 in the other semifinal.
"They both are pretty good teams, but I think we can play with them," said Matisi. "But we have to play better than we did tonight."