Harding tops Mooney in key SVC showdown

Ursuline and East each stayed unbeaten in the Steel Valley.

WARREN — Kamela Bender scored 12 points, including 10 in the final quarter Thursday as the Warren Harding High girls basketball team defeated Mooney, 43-37.

The Raiders outscored the Cardinals 22-7 in the final quarter to rally from a 30-21 deficit.

Bender also had seven steals while Jasmine Kirkland had 12 rebounds and eight points. Andrea Baldridge scored 10 points.

The Raiders (10-5, 1-1 Steel Valley Conference) turned on the defensive pressure in the final quarter to get turnovers, and also shot better to score points.

Katie Hughes tallied 12 points to lead Mooney (7-7, 1-1).

Ursuline 55, Warren JFK 32

WARREN — The Irish (8-5, 2-0 SVC), leading 22-14 at halftime, put the game out of reach with a 19-10 surge in the third quarter.

Jasmine Brown paced Ursuline with 13 points. Lucia Petros and Jaleesa Beverly added nine points apiece. Paige Kleric led the Eagles (2-14, 0-2) with 12 points. Marissa Nocera finished with nine.

East 71, Chaney 33

YOUNGSTOWN — The Panthers made only 13 of 64 goals, but 17 of 34 free throws en route to the victory.

Senior Brittany Taylor had 24 points while sophomore Briana Dotson had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Panthers (7-8, 2-0 SVC).

Dotson also had four blocked shots for East, which defeated Chaney on Dec. 3 by a nearly identical score.

For Chaney, Mimi North had nine points, while Clenisha Press grabbed five rebounds.

Fitch 65, Youngstown Christian

YOUNGSTOWN — Kayla Hanuschak and Cassie Banfield each scored 14 points for Fitch, which took a 25-14 first quarter lead and never looked back.

Rachel Rouan added 12 for the Falcons (5-9).

Vickie Bankhead scored 17 points to lead YCS (3-13).

Lakeview 61, Champion 51

CORTLAND — Joanna Novotny had 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals to lead Lakeview, which took a 31-21 halftime lead in the Trumbull Athletic Conference game.

Emily Malmisur had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (5-9, 3-5) while Mackenzie Palette added 11 points.

Jessica Nicholas scored 17 points and Heather Beachy added 13 for the Flashes (0-15, 0-9).

LaBrae 56, Newton Falls 48

NEWTON FALLS — The Vikings (8-6, 5-3) held a 35-28 lead going into the final eight minutes of the TAC contest.

Angelica Pugh took scoring honors for the Vikings with 27 points.

Bayle Boggs chipped in with 12. Jaci Dach and Kelsey McGregor each scored 14 points for the Tigers (7-8, 4-5).

Liberty 61, Girard 22

GIRARD — Melissa Dykes had 17 points and Brittany Armour added 16 points for the Leopards.

Seven of Dykes’ points came in the third quarter when Liberty outscored Girard, 20-5.

Ci Ci Merriweather grabbed eight of 34 rebounds for Liberty, which also beat Girard the first time around, 46-22.

Chelsea Guerrieri and Lyndsey Crown tallied six points apiece for the home team while freshman Katelynne Brainard had 10 of Girard’s 31 rebounds.