Poland seals MAC title

The Bulldogs poured in 32 points in the first quarter en route to an 86-71 win.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

POLAND — The four senior players on the Poland High boys basketball team were just freshman the last time the Bulldogs won the Metro Athletic Conference championship.

Ben Umbel, Anthony DeFelice, David White and Bryan Kosec weren’t about to let another title slip away.

The seniors keyed an incredible first quarter effort that produced 32 points in an 86-71 rout of the Canfield Cardinals.

For all intents and purposes, Poland sealed the Bulldogs’ championship night in the first eight minutes.

“That was the best we played all year,” said Poland coach Ken Grisdale on the Bulldogs impressive opening quarter. “That’s the way we are capable of playing. We’ve seen it in spurts but never in an extended period of time like tonight.

“Our kids have really put for the effort this season and they deserve what they accomplished tonight.”

Umbel, who has been the team’s leading scorer all season scored 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter and knocked down all three of his 3-point shots.

Umbel finished one assist shy of a triple double after getting 10 steals and nine assists.

White scored six of his 16 in the period while DeFelice scored four of his game high 23.

Kosec was the point-man leading the Poland defensive pressure and battled strong on the boards all night long. He finished with five points.

“We try to start off every game and get up as quick as we can,” said DeFelice. “You want to be able to take a team out of the game as quickly as you can.

“We knew we had started good but we know that the game is never over until it is over.”

Canfield coach John Cullen said sometimes in sports you have one of these nights like the Cardinals did.

“They dissected us pretty good,” Cullen said. “Intensity tends to disorient teams. A lot of times it loosens up the other team but we just couldn’t regroup.”

Poland defeated Canfield early in January by a nearly identical score of 87-72.

“Their overall game was much better this time than in the first game,” Cullen said. “They shot the ball a little better the first time but overall they did a great job.”

The Bulldogs led by 20 points after the first quarter and then Canfield settled down and started playing better basketball.

Led by 18 points and eight rebounds by Brian Fox actually outscored Poland 59-54 the rest of the game.

Seniors Andrew Kuchmaner added 13 points and Matt Keating tallied 11.

“We got comfortable,” Grisdale said. “Teenagers are teenagers and when you get a lead we kind of relaxed.

“I think Canfield, the way they’re coached, they have pride and they kept fighting back.”

Both teams shot the basketball well for the incredible pace they maintained the entire game.

Canfield made 28 of 54 shots (52 percent) while the Bulldogs connected on 31-of-60 (51.6 percent).

Unfortunately, Canfield committed 28 turnovers including 20 in the first half.