’Devils cruise to Hilbun’s 100th

McDonald gave the coach the game ball after the
51-29 win over Sebring.

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

SEBRING — You know it’s a special occasion when a team presents its head coach with the game ball following a victory.

With a 51-29 triumph over Sebring, McDonald coach Rob Hilbun secured his 100th career win, and the Blue Devils improved to 17-1 overall with a 12-1 mark in Inter-Tri County League Tier Two play.

Hilbun said the final score didn’t do justice to the type of game it was for his team.

“Sebring ran a box-and-one and did a nice job of taking away Emily Dolsak [McDonald’s leading scorer],” he said. “We have confidence in our other players to step up and hit shots, but we couldn’t make anything. We were getting good shots, but sometimes it is tough to shoot on the road.”

The Blue Devils — who shot a paltry 19-of-57 from the floor — leaned on the offensive prowess of Lindsay Repp in the first half to hold a 15-10 advantage after the first quarter.

Repp scored nine points (4-of-4 field goals) in the first quarter on an assortment of drives and pull-up jumpers.

Hilbun said the team effort on both sides of the ball is indicative of the character of his team.

“[Lindsay] Repp played a great first half for us, no doubt about it,” Hilbun said “We were forced to use Emily as more of a rebounder instead of a scorer tonight. That can be frustrating at times, but we made a point not to force the ball to her. We can depend on any one of our players when we need to. I thought Callie Garland had one of her best games of the year. She penetrated their defense and found open teammates.”

Leading 25-18 heading into the third quarter, the Blue Devils outscored the Trojans 15-5 to increase their margin to 40-23.

Sebring turned the ball over seven times in the third period, and would commit as many mistakes in the final frame as McDonald’s full court defense wore down the Trojans.

“We went from a 2-2-1 press to full out man-to-man, chase the ball pressure,” Hilbun said. “It really seemed to get us going. We were forced to depend on our defense with how we were shooting the ball.”

For Sebring coach Ty Schaffer the game was all about depth — specifically his lack of depth.

“One of our starters [Jacqui Zmuda] was sick, but playing,” he said. “Taylor Ward, who sees a lot of minutes at point guard wasn’t in school today, our second post player off the bench has been sick for the past three days and another player dressed, but was sick with an infection.”

Schaffer said he told his team Mosley and Dolsak combined for less than 20 points [Mosley had 12 points, and Dolsak eight] they had have a chance to win.

“I thought we handled the press in the first half, but as time wore on we became exhausted,” he said. “A lot of the turnovers we had in the second half were mistakes you make when you’re tired.”

McDonald will play Leetonia on Monday with the winner taking the ITCL Tier Two championship outright.

“We have Leetonia at home with a chance to redeem ourselves for what happened earlier this year,” Hilbun said. “We hope to play better and win the league title, but it’s going to be tough. I think Leetonia has won nine in a row.”

The Trojans were led by Julia Grimsley’s nine points. Jill Bragg chipped in eight points and 12 rebounds.