Super sophomore leads Spartans

Courtney Schiffauer scored a career-high 32 points as Boardman defeated Fitch, 89-52.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Boardman sophomore Courtney Schiffauer led her team in most statistical categories on Saturday, including the "Most-times-yelled-at-by-Ron-Moschella" category.
"I was on her most of the first half because she was doing things she doesn't normally do," said Moschella, the Spartans' girls basketball coach. "She settled for jump shots and didn't play her game.
"In the second half she played her game."
Schiffauer played OK in the first half -- she had 11 points and four rebounds -- and played terrific in the second, finishing with a career-high 32 points (her previous best was 22) to go along with nine rebounds and three steals as the Spartans beat Fitch, 89-52.
"When I see a player of her caliber, I expect a perfect game," said Moschella. "She a good player and she's going to be a great player.
"But she's not there yet."
Mid-season ills
Schiffauer, who was an honorable mention all-league and all-district player last season, needed to step up on Saturday since Boardman's other two top players, seniors Colleen Mallis and April Melquist, weren't at 100 percent. Mallis was visibly sick following the game and Melquist had a sprained ankle "that's as big as my head," Moschella said.
The Spartans may not have been at full strength but Moschella's vocal chords were just fine. Boardman hadn't practiced the past two days because Moschella wasn't satisfied with his team's effort in a 42-36 loss to Blackhawk on Monday.
"Practice is a privilege," he said. "When you don't play hard, you don't get to practice."
Saturday, they played hard. The Spartans' pressure defense forced 30 turnovers and Boardman held a double-digit lead for the game's final 20 minutes.
Afterward, just outside the locker room, Moschella was talking about Schiffauer's performance when he turned to her and asked, "Do you like getting yelled at?"
"Yes I do," she said, smiling.
Really?
"Well, I just listen to what he's trying to say and not pay attention to the yelling part," she said. "He was getting on me to start scoring and I knew I needed to step it up for the team."
Mallis scores 20
Schiffauer, who exited to a loud ovation with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, wasn't aware she had scored a career-high.
"It's nice, but I wouldn't care if didn't get as many points," she said. "As long as we keep winning, I'm happy."
Mallis also played a terrific game, scoring 20 points -- she made five 3-pointers in the first 18 minutes -- to go along with eight assists and four steals for Boardman (9-3, 5-1), which will play at Federal League rival North Canton Hoover next Saturday.
Melquist added 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
"Those two played great," Moschella said. "I think Courtney appreciates playing with them. In fact, I know she does.
"As those three go, our team goes."
Courtney Williams had 11 points and four rebounds for the Falcons (6-8, 0-7), while Kayla Hanuschak added 10 points.
scalzo@vindy.com