McKinley edges Boardman

By Greg Gulas

The Spartans outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 in the second period to pull within a point at halftime.

BOARDMAN — The Boardman High boys basketball team knew exactly what to expect from their very athletic league foe, Canton McKinley.

It’s how they challenged back, stood their ground and fought to the bitter end that was perhaps the most telling statistic of all Friday at the Boardman Gymnasium.

Isiah Elliott had 17 points while Zavier Thompson added 14 markers as the Bulldogs defeated the Spartans, 67-61 in Federal League action.

Despite spotting Canton McKinley a 10-point lead just eight minutes into the game, the Spartans pulled to within one at halftime and then forced 11 lead changes and three ties in the third quarter.

Then the Bulldogs pulled away.

“Anytime you can go on the road and win in our league it’s a big win,” Bulldogs coach Greg Malone said. “Boardman is a very talented; very athletic team and is really tough to beat at home.

“We established our presence in the first quarter and Boardman took charge in the second period,” Malone said.

“They answered us and we answered them with neither team letting the other turn the game into a big run. Both teams kept the pressure on when they needed to and that was a key tonight,” Bulldogs coach Greg Malone said.

Dave DiBernardi, who had a team-high 16 points for Boardman, scored all seven of the Spartans’ points in the opening stanza as the Bulldogs opened a 17-7 lead.

“The first quarter really hurt us but to our credit, we fought back,” DiBernardi said. “We had a different game plan tonight and it really worked.

“They’re a quick team so instead of sitting back and waiting on them, we were going to play like them.

“The one positive thing that we can take from tonight’s game is that we kept battling, even with our backs against the wall late in the game,” DiBernardi said.

Eight Spartans got into the scoring act in the second period as Boardman outscored the Bulldogs, 21-12 to pull to within a point at the intermission, 29-28.

“This was a physical game with plenty of emotion and energy expended on both sides,” Boardman coach Jim Goske said. “There were a lot of athletes on display tonight; fun to watch if you are a fan but as a coach, it’s a good thing that I don’t have any hair.

“We had our chances, battled back and I was really proud of our overall effort,” Goske said. “Trae [Robinson] did an excellent job for us as well.

“Anytime you have someone his size record a double-double, well, that to me is special,” Goske said.

With the Bulldogs holding a slim 45-42 lead heading to the final frame, Canton McKinley use a 7-0 run to start the period, then increased their margin to 63-52 before settling for the six-point victory.

Robinson, who canned all six of his charity tosses in the final period, was pleased that his team matched the play of a perennial league power.

“We played hard and with plenty of emotion, proving tonight that we can match up with a very athletic team in Canton McKinley.

“We had our chances at the end of the game, but spotting them a 10-point lead early really hurt us,” Robinson said.

Boardman was 18 of 44 from the field while the Bulldogs were 23 of 50.Robinson, Kevin Johnson and J.T. Moore each hauled in 11 caroms while Dayne Hammond pulled down 10 boards as the Spartans held a 53-41 rebound advantage.

he Bulldogs forced 26 Spartan turnovers, stealing the ball from their Federal League counterparts on 15 other occasions.