Tall takes toll in opener, 70-11

Ellie Shields had 26 points for Howland. Woodrow Wilson started two freshmen and a sophomore.
BY JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Whenever a tall and talented team is playing against a very small team that still is learning the fundamentals of basketball, there is going to be a mismatch and a lopsided score.
Monday night at Fitch High, in the first game of the Division II girls sectional tournament, top-seeded Howland rolled past Woodrow Wilson, 70-11, behind 6-foot-3 junior Ellie Shields' 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers (17-4) also got nine points from 6-1 sophomore Alexa Williams, while junior Carly Sabat added eight, as they advanced to a sectional final Thursday against Struthers at 7:30 p.m.
"It's hard to beat a team with height because girls usually can't jump that high," said Howland coach John Diehl, who said Shields and Williams are an effective combination underneath.
"Ellie can usually score inside if there is no height playing against her. Williams is quicker than Ellie. If they stay out of foul trouble, they work well together."
Not his tallest team
But this is not Diehl's tallest team at Howland.
"Our height is a huge advantage but my tallest team was in the 2000-2001 season when we had Angela Cape [6-3] and Michelle Rura [6-2]," said Diehl who is in his 12th season.
Diehl said that Howland, which grabbed 52 rebounds and didn't allow cold-shooting Wilson very many second shots, actually has three strong rebounders. Shields was averaging 9.6 rebounds, Melissa Airhart 6.6 and Williams 6.1.
Shields also entered the game as the team's top scorer with an 18-point average.
Quickness didn't work
Wilson (0-21) coach Nekia Hilson, a native of Struthers who is in her second season, said Howland was too tough underneath the hoop.
"They have excellent inside players, They know how to adjust to the ball," said Hilson. "We tried to use quickness but it didn't work because they run the floor as well as we can."
Hilson said she faces a challenge at Wilson because so many of the girls still are learning how to pass and dribble the ball and run the court properly. And their shooting was very poor.
"We are trying to start with the fundamentals. We can't even get into running plays too much because we are still in the beginning of the fundamentals," said Hilson, who also is trying to teach the proper attitude of playing the game.
She also said she has a young team. "I start two freshmen and a sophomore."
But she wants to build the program into a success by teaching the players when they are young, and is hoping to send her players to summer camps.
"None of my players ever have gone to a summer camp," said Hilson.
Marcinde North scored six points to lead Wilson, which fell behind 36-4 at the half.
Howland strong overall
Diehl, who substituted freely and played 14 players, also said Howland did a good job of getting to the baset.
"Danielle Ryan is my lone senior starter and she did a nice job getting the ball to [Shields]," said Diehl of the play-making 5-4 guard.
Diehl also said his defense excelled. "This the best defensive team I have ever had. We have no weak links in defense."
The coach also liked his team's transition game that got their fast break going.
"Our post players will outlet the ball and find the guards and we will run the floor," said Diehl.
Poland 50, Hubbard 42
Jessica Toth scored 15 points while Theresanne DeMartino and Melissa Haug added 11 apiece to lead Poland in the nightcap of Monday's doubleheader.
Poland (3-18) fell into a 16-9 hole after the first period, but rallied to tie the game at the half, 24-24, before taking command with a 22-8 scoring advantage in the third quarter.
Ashley Tadla added eight points for the Bulldogs.
Hubbard (7-14) was led by Maggie Bogdan with 10 points, while Kodi Brenner contributed nine, Brittany Bullock and Tressa Scahill seven each and Corrie Gasser six.
kovach@vindy.com