Salem’s Ritchie, Scullion dominate in Quakers’ win over Lowellville
By Jim Flick
LOWELLVILLE — In a game that both coaches agreed was a good warm-up for the upcoming tournament, Salem High’s girls basketball team defeated Lowellville 54-36 on Wednesday night.
Salem was led by the frontcourt duo of Brittany Ritchie and Amy Scullion. Ritchie scored a game-high 20 points, while Scullion added 10.
But their rebounding was even more decisive. Ritchie and Scullion dominated the boards, each grabbing 14 rebounds. As a team, the Division II Quakers snagged 39 rebounds, compared to only 17 for Lowellville, a Div. IV school.
Danielle Krugel added nine points for Salem, while Taylor Sauerwein contributed five points. Danielle Perry scored four and Dana Webb and Hannah Dorn each hit 3-pointers.
Of the five players who scored for Lowellville, four are freshmen. Emily Carlson and Taylor Hvisdak each scored 10 points to lead Lowellville’s attack, while Ashley Moore added nine points and junior Jamie Hynes scored five points and Kelly Hynes contributed two.
The Quakers sank 20-of-47 shots for 43 percent. Lowellville shot just 25 percent on 9-of-36.
In the first quarter, Lowellville grabbed an early 6-4 lead on three free throws and a 3-pointer by Carlson. But Salem took its first lead of the night on Sauerwein’s 3-pointer and Ritchie quickly added two field goals to put the Quakers out in front, 11-6.
Ritchie’s determined play continued throughout the first half as she put up 17 points by halftime. In fact, she personally outscored Lowellville 17-16 in the first half.
Salem took a big lead in the second period, totaling 17 points to only six for Lowellville, and led 32-16 at halftime.
But the Rockets didn’t give up. In fact, they played their best quarter of the night in the third quarter, outscoring the Quakers 11-9. In front 41-25 at the end of three quarters, the Salem outscored Lowellville 13-11 in the fourth quarter.
After the game, each coach said he was pleased with his team’s efforts.
“What a great test for us,” said Salem coach Jeff Andres. “They’re a very determined opponent. They’re very difficult, a quality opponent.”
Even though his smaller school’s team lost to the larger school’s squad, Lowellville coach Tony Matisi happily commented after the game, “We got everything we wanted out of this game.
“They pushed us, pushed us, pushed us, and we never gave an inch. I’m so happy with this team,” Matisi said.
The Lowellville coach added that he was particularly pleased with the efforts of his young players. The Rockets’ varsity roster includes six freshmen, and Matisi insisted that he’s optimistic about the future of his squad.
Matisi explained he favors playing a final regular season game against a larger, non-conference opponent in order to prepare his team for the playoffs. “I wanted to see what my young kids could do, they did a good job.”