Hubbard and Howland advance

Tressa Scahill's clutch play late propelled the Eagles to a three-point victory.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Before the girls basketball season began, Hubbard High seniors Tressa Scahill, Sophie Paddock and Maggie Bogdan set a goal of 17 wins, figuring that would be enough to send the Eagles to their district semifinal game in a long while.
Scahill's clutch free throws down the stretch made a huge made an impact Saturday as the Eagles (17-5) held off Trumbull Athletic Conference rival Liberty, 52-49, in a sectional final at Fitch High School.
Hubbard advanced to a Thursday district semifinal game against second-seeded Rayen (19-3). Liberty finished at 16-6, with two losses to Hubbard.
"We haven't had a winning record for the past three or four years, so we set a goal for ourselves to make a statement," Scahill said. "I'm so happy that we've achieved our goal."
Paddock said, "Seventeen wins and a sectional championship -- that's a big step from last year."
Hubbard coach Mike Cappuzzello had another reaction when he first heard of his team's aspiration.
"I almost fainted, then I said if we are going to make 17 a goal, then we're going to add sectional champions," Cappuzzello said.
Mission accomplished, thanks to an overtime victory over Salem and the rubber-match win over the Leopards.
Down the stretch
The Eagles led 43-36 when the fourth quarter began, then Scahill excelled, blocking a shot and making two rebounds, a basket and five of six free throws.
"My Dad has always said to me, 'Foul shots win games,' " Scahill said of the pressure. "So every time I get on the line, that's all I keep thinking in my head."
Paddock said, "Free throws win games and she definitely took care of that. She finished it for us, really sealed up the game."
With 44 seconds to play, Scahill made her final two free throws for a 51-44 lead.
"That comes from hard work," Cappuzzello said. "She's been a varsity player for four years. She shot about 76 percent for the year.
"She's calm and cool, and has been in tough games before. It's almost like ice," Cappuzzello said.
Liberty's Michelle Dykes made a 3-pointer and Katarina Neskovich a basket in the final moments to tighten the gap.
Back and forth
The Leopards' largest lead was 20-15 early in the second quarter when their full-court pressure sparked an 8-2 run.
"We thought they would press us earlier," Cappuzzello said. "But we were ready for it," referring to the Eagles' ensuing 8-0 run that included a 3-pointer by Scahill and three points by Cara Julian.
Neskovich picked up her third personal foul with 4:40 to go before halftime and a fourth halfway through the third quarter when the Eagles held a one-point lead.
"She's one of their unsung heroes," said Cappuzzello of Neskovich. "Everybody worries about Michelle Dykes and Brittany Armour, but she can do damage by being quiet, getting an uncontested layup or an offensive rebound."
An 8-1 surge to close the third quarter gave Hubbard the 17-point lead.
Paddock and Scahill led the Eagles with 15 and 14 points. Julian scored eight and Bogdan had seven.
Dykes finished her varsity career with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Armour had 12 points.
Howland 76, Chaney 22
Alexa Wiliams scored 22 points and Kelly Barzak netted 21 for the top-seeded Tigers (19-2), who scored the first 33 points of the game.
Abby Nicholas came off the bench to score 10. The Tigers played without 6-foot-3 Ellie Shields, who sprained her ankle recently.
Howland coach John Diehl said Shields will play in Thursday's district semifinal against Struthers (11-11).
"She's not going to be 100 percent but she will play," said Diehl, who said Shields was injured slipping in a snow-covered parking lot.
Clenisha Pless scored 13 points and blocked three shots for the Cowgirls (5-17).
williams@vindy.com