United, Lisbon prepare for round three

By Tom Williams

MINERAL RIDGE — The United High girls basketball team already has avenged its one loss of the season.

That’s why Lisbon (16-6) is anxious for another chance against the Inter Tri-County League Tier One champion Eagles (20-1).

On March 5 at 6 p.m., the Eagles and Blue Devils will play for the third time in the Division III district tournament at Mineral Ridge.

After an unusually slow start, United advanced to the district semifinal by defeating South Range, 56-32.

In Thursday’s nightcap, the Blue Devils started strong then withstood a late rally by the defending district champions to oust Rootstown, 48-39.

Lisbon coach Jamie Entriken said the Eagles are “our biggest rival. We’re always excited when we play United. It’s going to be a tough game.”

United senior guard Maggie Miller said, “Bring it on,” adding that the Eagles have learned from the Jan. 5 loss.

“I think that whenever you get a loss, it makes your team stronger,” Miller said. “We’ve come together so much as a team.”

Since the 48-37 defeat at Lisbon, the Eagles have won 12 straight.

United senior guard Maggie Sell, who scored 21 points and made six steals, said the season series split means both teams have incentive.

“It might be bigger for them to knock us off,” Sell said.

Against the Raiders (13-9), the Eagles stumbled early, falling behind 8-0 before surging for a 12-10 lead to start the second quarter.

”I guess we were a little nervous being down,” Sell said. “We usually do [well] the first half.”

Miller said, “Our nerves were up a little bit because we have high expectations.

The lead grew to four at halftime. Then the Eagles outscored the Raiders 16-1 in the third quarter.

“They are a very good defensive team,” South Range coach Matt Reel said. “They force you to play their style. Their pressure makes all of your warts magnified.

“In the first half, I thought we played pretty well against them, but we still had 19 turnovers,” Reel said.

Hillary Hoppel scored 11 points and made five rebounds.

South Range senior Alicia Withers scored seven points, made five steals and had three rebounds.

“Alicia probably played her best game in her three seasons,” Reel said.

Against the Rovers (13-9), the Blue Devils scored the first dozen points and held a 22-10 lead at intermission.

Early in the third quarter, the Rovers got back into the game with 3-pointers by Paige Berger and Jenni Conley, and a basket by Lauren Hughes that cut Lisbon’s lead to 24-20.

But sophomore guard Katie Snoddy’s trey and two free throws by junior post player Mindy Jackson helped the Devils restore a double-digit lead going to the fourth quarter.

“It got a little hairy when they cut it to four,” Entriken said.

Five consecutive points by Hughes reduced Lisbon’s lead to 40-35 but free throws by junior Abby Brammer and senior Megan Reynolds enabled Lisbon to pull away.

Jackson led the Devils with 17 points while Reynolds had 12 and Snoddy 10.

“It’s huge,” said Jackson of the United rematch. “We want to prove to them ... that we can beat them.”

Reynolds chipped in, “We want to get United. We’re rivals.”

After beating the Raiders for the third time, United coach Roger Zeigler admitted he prefers to not play any team more than twice.

“That’s the trouble with this tournament — your whole league is here and it’s pretty hard not to play someone a third time,” Zeigler said. “We have to make sure that we start from the opening tip and not wait a quarter or so.”

williams@vindy.com