Cowgirls hang on for tourney win

Howland and Boardman posted easy victories.
AUSTINTOWN -- The Chaney High girls basketball team built a 41-30 lead by the end of the third quarter, then held off a a 14-8 rally by Niles in the last eight minutes to post a 49-45 victory Tuesday in a Division II sectional opener at Fitch High.
Alyssa Sykes had 17 points for the Cowgirls while Clenisha Pless had 14 and Jamie Soos 11.
Niles was led by Nina Gabrelcik with 19 points.
Howland 88, Wilson 23
AUSTINTOWN -- In another sectional game, the Tigers put 11 players in the scoring column in cruising to their victory.
Howland had a commanding 50-8 lead by intermission.
Ellie Shields outscored the Redmen with 29 points.
Alexa Williams chipped in with 12 and Melissa Airhart finished with 11.
Marcinde North led the Redmen with 11 points.
Boardman 78, Fitch 32
ALLIANCE -- Boardman jumped out to a 20-2 first quarter lead and was never threaten by Fitch in their Div. I sectional tournament opener at Alliance High.
The Spartans (18-3), who will play Warren Harding on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., were led by Monica Touvelle with 19 points.
Darryce Moore added 18, Courtney Schiffauer had 13 and Staci Wahlman scored 12.
Fitch's top scorer was Kayla Hanuschak with 12 points.
Garfield 49, United 45
ROOTSTOWN -- Garfield, behind 37-35 after three quarters, rallied to outscore United 14-8 in the final eight minutes of the Div. III sectional opener at Rootstown High gymnasium.
Maggie Sell scored 20 points for the Golden Eagles and Darlene Woolf chipped in with 11.
She also grabbed eight of United's 37 rebounds and had three assists. Caitlin Higgins had four steals.
Erica Pratt paced Garfield with 12 points. Cheryl Carlisle added 11.