Harding subdues Ursuline

The Raiders continued
undefeated and delivered coach Steve Arnold his 99th triumph at the helm.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — About midway through the third quarter of Tuesday night’s Warren Harding-Ursuline high school basketball game, the host Irish were trailing the previously-undefeated and No. 4 state-ranked Raiders by only four points 38-34.

But Harding came alive and reeled off a 17-3 scoring spree to take a 55-37 lead early in the fourth period, and then the Raiders surged to a 77-56 victory in a Steel Valley Conference game to stretch their unbeaten streak to 11 games.

What happened in the third period to turn around a pretty close battle?

Harding’s defense: It was virtually impenetrable.

“Sometimes the best offense is a good defense,” said Raiders’ coach Steve Arnold, who was presented his 99th career win at Harding in his sixth season at the helm. “We focused more on defense in the second half. We prevented them from getting inside. Our defensive intensity picked up. We got some steals and some easy baskets.

“And [in] the transition [we] created some easy baskets. We also got some blocks.”

Desmar Jackson, a 6-4 junior guard, scored 20 points while Damian Eargle, a 6-7 senior forward, added 18 points and 16 rebounds and Sheldon Brogdon 18 points to power Harding (11-0, 1-0 SVC).

The sharpshooting and tall Raiders connected on 28-for-48 from the field to Ursuline’s 20-for-50, while enjoying a 33-25 rebounding advantage.

Jackson had four 3-point goals and Brogdon three as Harding was 8-for-13 from long range.

Ursuline (8-4, 1-1 SVC), despite going up against the much-taller Raiders, was led by two of its smallest players — Nick McCartney and George Williams. McCartney, a 5-9 junior point guard, scored 17 points, including two 3-point goals; while Williams, a 5-8 senior, plugged 16 points, including four 3-point goals.

Dominique Cole, a 6-2 junior, added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Arnold, who will go for his 100th career win Saturday at No. 7-ranked Mansfield Senior (11-1), said his team also was helped by several players off the bench.

“Brogdon got into foul trouble,” said Arnold. But, “We have a bench. Mike Anderson gave us some positive minutes. He did a good job watching [McCartney]. Qualls also gave us some quality minutes.”

Ursuline managed to stay within striking distance earlier in the game behind Williams, who scored 14 of his 16 points before intermission, including his three 3-point goals, as the Irish managed to stay within 32-26 at the half.

Then Ursuline cut the deficit to 38-34 on McCartney’s goal and foul shot and his 3-point goal and then Cole’s bucket.

But then Harding increased the defensive pressure, prevented Ursuline’s penetration, made it hard for the Irish to shoot and got turnovers to help jump-start its fast break.

Eargle delivered eight points and Jackson six on a pair of 3-point goals, as the Raiders spurted away by outscoring Ursuline by 14-3 to lead by 52-37 after three periods.

Then Harding turned on the jets again behind Brogdon’s nine points to boost its advantage to 70-48 to sew up the win.

kovach@vindy.com