Thursday, March 23, 2006
The boys won 95-82, while the girls posted an 84-71victory.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW WATERFORD -- Size was a big difference as the Inter-County League All-Stars upended the Tri-County League All-Stars, 95-82, in the boys game Wednesday at Crestview High School.
The ICL set the tempo early as it raced out to a 13-2 lead. The TCL fought back to cut the deficit to 26-22 and got to within 30-27 before the ICL went on a 13-2 run and built a 52-41 lead at the intermission.
The contest was played in 20-minute halves. The ICL held a 73-50 lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Springfield's Zach DeJane led all scorers with 20 points, with 14 coming in the first half. He also yanked down 10 of the ICL's 54 rebounds.
Grant Spaite, Springfield's coach, directed the ICL team.
"Our size made it tough for them to get inside and that size caused them to have a lot of turnovers [25]," said Spaite. "They [TCL] weren't able to get inside much [but] they hit some big shots, just when it looked like we would pull away.
"Our league had a nice year and we came here and showcased it a little," added Spaite. "The kids on this team played competitive throughout the season and it was nice to see them play so well together. The kids in general were very competitive and they came out and played hard."
Joe Petro of Western Reserve chipped in with 19 points and he grabbed 12 rebounds for the ICL. Rocky Nolfi of Lowellville added nine points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Micah Hall of Mineral Ridge scored 14 points and Ed Barone of Lowellville finished with 10 and he grabbed 10 rebounds.
Jerry Einsiedel of Crestview led the TCL attack with 17 points. Tim Doran of East Palestine added 13, while Anthony Castro of Southern and Corey Smith of Lisbon had 11 apiece.
Girls
The ICL girls, behind 43-30 at the end of the first half, outscored the TCL 54-28 in the second half for a 84-71 victory.
"At halftime I told the girls we had to find a way to defense Brianne Phillis of Crestview, who had 15 points," said ICL coach Sandi Kohler of Springfield. "We kicked it up defensively and that was the difference.
"There is a law of averages, the more you shoot, the better chance you have of winning the game," said Kohler.
The ICL stars hit 35-of-88 shots compared to 25-of-70 for the TCL.
"We came early today and put in some plays and it was nice to come here and get a win," said Kohler. "The girls had a lot of fun."
Ashshena Stephens of McDonald paced the ICL with 15 points. Mindy Ritzler of Springfield added 13, while Cindy Schuler of South Range scored 11 and Chelsea Quimby of Springfield had 10.
The ICL enjoyed a 45-40 rebounding advantage.
Phillis sparked the TCL with 25 points. Colleen Eisenbraun and Kristina Davidson of Columbiana each had eight.
Jon Springer of Sebring won the 3-point shootout for boys and Quimby won the girls competition.
miller@vindy.com