Boardman gets group scoring to cruise past Chaney for fourth win

Four players scored in
double figures to spearhead the Spartans’ 80-64 win.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Boardman High used excellent scoring balance to overcome host Chaney High, 80-64, Thursday night in the Holiday Basketball Classic.

The event continues Saturday night on the Cowboys’ floor at 6 p.m. when Boardman faces Poland. Chaney and Austintown Fitch will play about 20 minutes after the end of the first game.

Devron Martin scored 18 points for the Spartans, Ryan Pesta and Dan Kubala had 14 each, Nick Asimakopoulos tallied 11 and J.T. Moore scored eight.

“I was happy with how we had a lot of guys contribute tonight,” first-year Boardman coach Jim Goske said. “Our inside guys, Danny Kubala and J.T. Moore, really scored for us tonight and I think that’s what we need, a lot of guys scoring.”

Kubala grabbed 13 rebounds for Boardman, Martin had eight rebounds and five assists, and Moore added 11 rebounds.

The Spartans controlled the game, but were unable to put away the Cowboys until late. Boardman (4-4) led 20-16 after one quarter, 44-34 at the half and 60-49 after three quarters. Chaney (1-6) got within eight points less than a minute into the final quarter but could get no closer.

“One of the things we talked about the last few games is our ability to handle pressure,” Goske said. “Tonight I think that’s sort of how we kept them in the game a little bit. We didn’t handle their halfcourt pressure. They are quick and they’re athletic, give them a lot of credit, they get after you in the halfcourt.

“When we were poised and when we handled it, we got some great looks and some layups, but at the same time we had a lot of turnovers. That’s something we need to get better at. The other thing we need to get better at is free throws. You wouldn’t believe how many free throws we shot in practice this week. That’s what we’ve talked to the kids about. To win games, we have to take care of pressure and make free throws.”

The Spartans made just 12 of 25 free throws.

Chaney was paced offensively by James Burns with 20 points, Alan Burns with 13 and Tyray Helms with 12. James Burns added four assists and four steals and Alan Burns had four assists.

Cowboy coach Bernard Bohla said his squad is improving.

“In the first few games of the season we weren’t handling the ball well, we were having 30, almost 40 turnovers a game,” he said. “As the games have gone on we have gotten better. We’ve got the turnovers to about half of what they were.

“Our guys are starting to understand their roles a little bit. We’ve kind of let the kids have a little bit of freedom. We want them to understand their role without having to be told. We are doing some things better than we did in the first three or four games.”