Boardman continues regional run

Despite injuries and foul trouble, the
Spartans beat Akron Kenmore 41-38.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

CANTON — Despite being shorthanded because of injury and fouls, the Boardman High girls basketball team continued its amazing tournament run Wednesday, ousting Akron Kenmore 41-38 in the regional semifinal at Canton Civic Center.

Minus guard Doriyon Glass (knee) and with Spartans leaders Courtney Schiffauer and Darryce Moore nursing four fouls each for the final three minutes, the Spartans (18-7) escaped to earn their second regional final appearance in four seasons.

But just barely.

The Cardinals’ final shot (Andola Dorich’s 3-point attempt after the ball deflected off Moore’s head to her) hit the rim and bounced away.

“It means the world to me,” said Schiffauer of playing Howland (20-4) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for the state berth. “This was our dream and it’s happening.

“Doriyon and Reesie are big parts of this team, but we know there are going to be times when Reesie will be in foul trouble or Doriyon can’t play because of her knee,” said Schiffauer who led the Spartans with 14 points and nine rebounds.

“That’s when the other girls know they have to step it up and that’s what they did,” Schiffauer said.

Sophomore guard Monica Touvelle scored all 13 of her points in the second half.

“I just love playing with her,” said Schiffauer, who said she’s confident that when she’s “kicking it out I know it’s going in.”

Touvelle said she’s never played so well in a game that counted so much.

“We’ve been looking forward to this all season, but we never really talked about it,” Touvelle said.

Two minutes into a scoreless game, three technical fouls were assessed on the same play. Kenmore’s Shanequa Williams and Scharlawn Hubbard received two of them while Schiffauer had the other.

“That’s the most physical game we’ve been involved in,” Spartans coach Ron Moschella said. “After the fight, we had a little discussion. then [Schiffauer] decided to take off her boxing gloves.”

Schiffauer made the only two technical free throws taken after the incident. A basket underneath by Moore gave the Spartans an early 4-0 lead.

But the Cardinals, who missed 24 shots in the first half, took the lead with a 7-2 run that included a 3-pointer by Sha’nay Bushner. The Cardinals also chose to stall for about 90 seconds late in the opening quarter.

The Spartans didn’t mind, especially when Moore was assessed her third foul with 3:42 to go before halftime. Instead of attacking the basket, the Cardinals continued to shoot wildly from outside. In all, the Cardinals missed 34 of their 47 shots.

The Cardinals (22-3) outscored the Spartans 11-9 in the third quarter for a 28-27 lead.

Touvelle’s final 3-pointer tied the game at 35-35. Two Schiffauer baskets and two Moore free throws gave the Spartans a six-point lead.

With 15 seconds to go, Williams scored the Cardinals’ final points.

Moore pulled down Boardman’s final missed free throw but was called for a travel, setting up the Cardinals’ final inbounds play.

“Our guard play neutralized them,” said Moschella, referring to Katie Fiffick, Emily Abraham and Touvelle. “I think all our experience playing in big games helped us. I can’t ask for more from these kids because no one expects us to be here.

“But we’re here, probably due to the leadership of Courtney Schiffauer and the young babies [following].”

williams@vindy.com