The Wildcats spilled the Cardinals, 53-42, while Rayen rolled past Poland, 70-41.

The Wildcats spilled the Cardinals, 53-42, while Rayen rolled past Poland, 70-41.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- For the second time in three seasons, an unheralded Struthers High girls basketball team has surprised a seeded team to earn a district berth.
Powered by junior Ashley Galbraith's 22 points and 14 rebounds, the Wildcats spilled fourth-seeded Mooney, 53-42, Thursday in the Division II tournament at Fitch High.
"That was really exciting," Galbraith said. "We have such a young team but we've kept it together."
Mooney coach Jack Bermann said, "They've got lightning in a bottle right now. They are playing great."
Although he'll never forget how his team knocked out 18-2 Crestwood two years ago, Struthers coach John Grandy rated this district qualifier as being "a little bit better. We respect Mooney's program and the schedule they play.
"Jack does a great job, his kids are well-coached and we want to be like them," Grandy said. "And I think we are getting there."
Also Thursday, Rayen celebrated coach Tanisha Franklin's 25th birthday with a 70-41 victory over Poland powered by juniors Brittney Taylor (29 points, seven steals) and Jaleesa Beverly (23 points, 15 rebounds).
"It was a good birthday present," Franklin said," but they beat me up in the locker room."
In next Thursday's district semifinals, Struthers will play the winner of Saturday's Howland-Chaney game while second-seeded Rayen awaits the winner of the Liberty-Hubbard contest.
Struthers-Mooney
Trailing 25-17 at halftime, the Cardinals tied the score with an 8-0 run keyed by two baskets by Katie Griswold.
Late in the quarter, Galbraith stole the ball and made a layup to break a 38-38 tie. Liz Valerio, Struthers' lone senior, connected for a four-point lead and momentum swung to the Wildcats.
In the final quarter, Struthers outscored Mooney, 21-14, with Galbraith and freshman Dana Mathews scoring eight points apiece.
"I've seen her play a lot of strong games and that was one of the strongest," said Valerio of Galbraith. "But it's good for us when everyone contributes."
Mathews scored 13 points, Valerio netted 10, junior Halle Minchin-Skook pulled down nine rebounds and had three steals, and sophomore Dominique Martino came off the bench to take five rebounds and two steals.
But the leader of the pack was Galbraith.
"She's a fantastic athlete," Grandy said. "The thing I like about her this year is that she's starting to become a basketball player. She's had a big change in her work ethic and I hope that will carry on to track so she'll go to state again."
Sarah Pelini led the Cardinals with 12 points while Griswold had eight and Danya Daltorio had seven.
"They were able to take advantage of our lapses," Bermann said. "We just didn't shoot the ball well."
Rayen-Poland
After a bit of a sluggish start, the Tigers (18-3) posted a 15-2 run in the first half to seize control of the game.
"Their speed and boxing out," said Poland coach Debbie Paine of the difference in the game. "They outjumped us. We hung with them for a little bit but ..."
Sparking the Tigers' offense was senior guard Tieara Jones, who scored nine points and made seven steals, seven assists and seven rebounds.
"We know she's going to step up in the offensive end and the defensive end," Beverly said.
"We love playing with her because we know she's going to be there for us."
Franklin called Jones "our energizer -- she gets us going."
Senior point guard Kenysha Beachum scored eight points.
Franklin was pleased to see her team shake off some early fouls, including two in the first quarter by Taylor.
"Brittney is a smart player," Franklin said. "She knows to pull back."
For Poland, senior guards Kasey Eckman and Jess Porcase finished with 12 and eight points.
After a three-year break from coaching, Paine came back to work with a team that finished 2-19 last season.
"Having seven seniors and a new coach, you don't see that too often," Paine said of their 9-12 record. "It's been a fun season getting back into it. We took some steps forward."
williams@vindy.com