Spartans find ways to win

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — During an incredible tournament run that includes an overtime victory, a critical last-second non-call and a failed buzzer shot that would have forced an extra session, the Boardman High girls basketball team has found some amazing ways to win.

The manner in which the Spartans have been emerging has been taking a toll on the hearts of the their families and friends watching the past four pulsating victories.

“We’re going to state?” Boardman coach Ron Moschella said after last Friday’s 43-35 overtime win over Howland in the Division I regional final. “Unbelievable.”

Believe it.

Adrenaline-charged wins over North Canton Hoover (20-3), Canton McKinley (20-4), Akron Kenmore (22-3) and Howland (20-5) are sending the Spartans (19-7) to Columbus Friday in search of their 20th victory.

It won’t be easy — Boardman’s state semifinal opponent Friday at 6 p.m. at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center is West Chester Lakota West (25-1). Their top player is Amber Gray, Ohio’s big school player of the year.

Then again, who really thought the Spartans would be playing in March before their Feb. 21 rematch with state-ranked North Canton Hoover?

Paul Wackerly’s Vikings had two regular season wins over the Spartans. The first one was 40-33 in a typical Boardman-Hoover contest.

The second one, on Feb. 2 at Alliance High, was a Vikings’ blowout, 69-42, a game that saw Boardman sophomore post player Darryce Moore sitting on the bench for the second and third quarters.

“I’m a teacher first,” Moschella said, explaining that he felt his young player needed to understand her value to the team was so great that she couldn’t squander it by taking unnecessary fouls.

Nineteen days later came the Spartans’ most heart-pounding thriller and the upset of the season. Seeded third in the Alliance district, the Spartans dominated the Vikings into the third quarter of the semifinal game and owned a 17-point lead (33-16) early in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings’ responded with a 21-5 run triggered by Jessica Carpenter’s four 3-pointers.

With seven seconds remaining and Hoover trailing 38-37, Carpenter took an inbounds pass and drove towards the 6-foot-2 Moore, who reached for the ball. Their bodies collided.

Despite Wackerly’s screams for a foul, none was called. The game ended with a stunned Moore holding the ball high.

Two days later, the Spartans trailed McKinley by seven points at halftime before surging for a 52-46 victory and a regional berth.

The district final was simply a foulfest, with just about every starter on both squads carrying two fouls midway through the second quarter. The Spartans pulled back enough in the second half to take advantage of McKinley’s foul trouble down the stretch.

Against Kenmore, the Spartans couldn’t take advantage of the Cardinals’ wild shooting (13-for-47). With the Spartans trailing 24-20 in the third quarter, senior Courtney Schiffauer took her third and fourth fouls within seconds.

Moore was carrying three fouls when she was called for a charge with 26.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Neither took another foul in the fourth quarter as the Spartans jumped ahead 41-35.

With 15 seconds to go, Kenmore’s Shanequa Williams made a 3-pointer. Twelve seconds later, Moore pulled down a missed free throw but was called for a travel, setting up the Cardinals’ final inbounds play.

The Hail Mary toss deflected off Moore’s head to Kenmore’s Andola Dorich, who had the presence of mind to dribble behind the arc for a 3-point attempt. When the ball hit the rim, it bounced away, advancing the Spartans to the regional title game.

For three quarters, the Spartans and Howland took turns leading. With time winding down, Howland’s Allie Airhart made a layup for a 29-26 lead. Moments later, the Tigers missed the first foul shot of a one-and-one.

After a missed Spartans shot, Schiffauer rebounded then scored while she was fouled. Her free throw tied the game.

In the final minute, Howland’s Kelly Barzak and Moore each scored, sending the game to overtime where the Spartans dominated, getting baskets from Moore and Monica Touvelle after missed free throws. Emily Abraham, who had missed several 3-point attempts in regulation, made five free throws in overtime.

And the Spartans had earned their second state trip in school history.

“Every game we’ve played has been a battle at the end,” Moschella said.

williams@vindy.com