Dog-catchers: Liberty tops Poland in OT

By Joe Scalzo

Top-seeded Salem pulled away from Streetsboro in the other semifinal.

AUSTINTOWN — Liberty High coach John Hritz says coaching keeps him young, but he admits this year’s team sometimes makes him want to pull out his (very white) hair.

“Tell me about it,” he said, laughing. “I’m only 40.”

Hritz has been coaching 41 years and is collecting social security, so something about that math doesn’t add up, but he’s developed the type of patience that allows him to tolerate his team’s weaknesses while celebrating its strengths.

Both were on display Monday night, as the Leopards got a huge game from senior Melissa Dykes and survived an ankle injury by Chi-Chi Merriweather to hold off Poland 65-60 in overtime in a Division II sectional opener at Fitch High School.

Salem beat Streetsboro 49-26 in the other semifinal.

The key to Liberty’s win was quickness. The Leopards had 23 steals among 29 forced turnovers, which helped them overcome Poland’s superior size. The Leopards had five steals in overtime as they outscored the Bulldogs 13-8 and had the game wrapped up with 30 seconds left.

“The effort was unbelievable,” Hritz said of his team. “The kids continued to hustle.”

Dykes finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, eight steals and five assists for the Leopards (12-9), who will play Kenston on Thursday.

Merriweather added 20 points before going down with what looked like a serious left ankle injury in the opening minute of the overtime period. Junior Shanae Thomas replaced her and played good defense on Poland’s 6-foot junior Lauren Tadla down the stretch.

“She did a great job on [Tadla],” said Hritz. “It would have been easy for [Tadla] to take over the game.”

Liberty looked like it was going to run away with the game early, racing out to an 18-8 lead late in the first quarter. But Poland rallied with a 16-0 run in the second quarter and led 30-26 at halftime.

“We have mental lapses,” said Hritz. “We play good for three minutes, then all the sudden we forget where we’re at.”

The game went back and forth the rest of the way, with Dykes hitting two free throws with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Tadla had a chance to win it at the buzzer in regulation but her rebound putback under the basket bounced off the rim.

When told her team put on a good show, Poland coach Debbie Paine managed a meager smile and said, “I wish we were on the other end of that show.”

Tadla had 13 points and 19 rebounds for the Bulldogs (8-13).

“She’s been our go-to person for most of the season,” said Paine.

Sophomore Alyssa Shields and senior Erica Dodge each had 10. Freshman point guard Abby Brendel only scored six, but showed good poise and has a bright future.

“I’ve got young kids,” said Paine. “We’ll be back.”

Salem-Streetsboro

Amy Scullion scored 14 points and the Quakers outscored Streetsboro 31-14 in the second half to pull away.

“We were a little sluggish at first,” said Quakers coach Jeff Andres, whose team will play Niles on Saturday. “We took care of the ball better in the second half and I think we really got after it on defense.

“We survived. That’s the important thing.”

Brittney Ritchie and Chelsea Fuson each added 10 points for top-seeded Salem (17-4).

Jennifer Langford had seven points for Streetsboro (2-19).