Renewed Howland team rolls to ninth

Alexa Williams led the rejuvenated Tigers to a 66-35 win over Struthers.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

STRUTHERS — Howland High put together a workmanlike effort, especially on the defensive end, in its 66-35 Metro Athletic Conference girls basketball victory Saturday over host Struthers.

“Our defense was excellent in the first half,” Howland coach John Diehl said. “They have a couple players that can score and are very athletic. I just thought we did a nice job stopping their penetration. We didn’t give them a good open look in the first half, I thought.

“We thought we could dominate inside, but the outside shooting was the question mark and our guards did a real nice job on their guards.”

The Tigers (9-2, 5-1 MAC) held Struthers to 37.5 percent (12-of-32) shooting from the field, made 16 steals and forced 13 Wildcat turnovers.

“This is the first time the girls had that sparkle in their eye since we played Campbell back in early December,” Diehl said. “It was the first time in about the last five games that everyone’s been healthy.”

As usual, senior post Alexa Williams led the Tigers with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocked shots. Sophomore Megan Long also filled the statistics sheet with 12 points, seven assists and four steals. Kelly Barzak added 16 points, Abby Nicholas had 10 points and three assists and Allie Airhart had five steals and three assists.

Howland turned a 9-6 lead late in the first quarter into a 19-6 advantage with 6:22 remaining in period two. Struthers (6-2, 1-2 MAC) hung tough, trailing 21-12 midway through the quarter, but an 11-0 run for the Tigers put the game out of reach. Howland led 32-15 at halftime and 48-21 after three quarters.

Senior forward Ashley Galbraith was outstanding for the Wildcats, recording 15 points and nine rebounds.

“Howland is a good, sound team, especially defensively. I think they took us out of our offense,” Struthers coach John Grandy said. “I honestly felt, and this will sound a little strange, I felt we played good defense, especially early. We came out in zone, usually we play man-to-man, and I thought our girls played well.

“But when you are turning the ball over to a good team, you’re giving them more chances. Though we didn’t play good offense, you also have to give Howland credit for their defense.”