Low score would suit Boardman

Coach believes defense should dominate state semifinal game.
BOARDMAN -- Count Boardman High girls basketball coach Ron Moschella among those who expect a low-scoring game between the Spartans and Mount Notre Dame Friday night in the Division I state semifinal.
At least, that's what Moschella hopes for.
"If it's high scoring, given their transition game, it could be 70 for Notre Dame and 20 for us," he quipped.
No one really expects such a wide margin, least of all Moschella, but his point was that, assuming both teams continue to play the kind of defense they have all season, there's a good chance the winning score won't get out of the 40s.
"I think we play pretty good defense," said Moschella. "Our kids have displayed that this year and that's a testament to these kids because they really do play fundamentally pretty good defense. I do think defense does win championships and I believe that this team has done that.
"We make plays where other teams don't at the end," he added. "Against Hoover [in the district final] we were down by six with a minute 38 [seconds remaining] and we just made plays. "
Balanced attacks
Mount Notre Dame was led to a 28-0 season and the Division I state championship last year by senior Mel Thomas, the Ms. Basketball award winner who's now at the University of Connecticut.
This season, the Cougars have been more balanced on offense, with four starters averaging in double figures. Senior Michelle Jones, who was named Division I co-player of the year earlier this week, leads the way with a 16.5 scoring average.
"They're supposed to have five Division I basketball players, they're ranked No. 1 in the state, it'll be an up hill battle for us," said Moschella. "They're transition is awesome, they rebound and they just fly. We have to stop that transition, there's no doubt about it. They can't get any cheap baskets on us."
The Spartans also have a nicely balanced attack, led by second team All-Ohioan Jessica Moore (15.1 ppg). Junior April Melquist is averaging 11.5, followed by freshman Courtney Schiffauer (9.8), junior Colleen Mallis (8.0) and senior Brittany Sirak (5.3).
"I think they learned how to win and that's an important part," said Moschella of his team. "I know they know how to compete. They compete in the classroom and that carries over onto the basketball court. They're good students and they're also good basketball players and they understand a lot of what we're trying to accomplish.
"I don't think they're nervous," he added. "These kids don't get nervous; they play because it's fun and that's the way they see it."