Chaney gives coach present in final SVC showdown, 67-61

By John Kovach

YOUNGSTOWN — It was a good night for the Chaney High basketball team and a disappointing one for Ursuline.

The Cowboys have the honor of winning the last Steel Valley Conference game played between the two rivals in a down-to-the-wire struggle, 67-61, at the Irish gym. They also presented first-year coach Jason Marsh a victory on his 32nd birthday for an additional celebration.

Ken Strong’s 3-point goal gave Chaney a 62-60 lead with about 1:30 left to put the Cowboys ahead for good.

Then Chaney added five three throws down the stretch. Two were from Tyrell Howell with 22.3 seconds left for a 66-61 lead to seal the win.

Ursuline went cold on offense at crunch time. The Irish failed to connect from the field and foul line to miss chances to regain the lead.

Strong led Chaney with 20 points, including three 3-point goals, while Myke Parker added 18 points and nine rebounds, Howell 11 points and Aaron McKinney nine rebounds.

Ursuline was paced by Jordan DuBose with 16 points and seven rebounds and Dale Peterman with 16 points and four assists.

“This was a good win. It is my birthday. I’m 32 years old. This is my first win ever on my birthday in my ninth season as a coach,” said Marsh, who spent his eight previous years as an assistant coach at Girard, Liberty, Wilson and Hubbard.

Marsh said Chaney’s foul shooting near the end — the Cowboys made seven of their 17 free throws in the final quarter — delivered the victory.

“The difference in the game is that we made our free throws. We were able to do that by driving the lane and getting fouled,” said Marsh. “Tyrell Howell stepped up. He was my guy. He was the key for us down the stretch.”

Marsh said it was fortunate his team managed to click at the foul line because, “We couldn’t find the opportunities to score. We went stale.

“We have gone through droughts of three and four minutes before this season.”

He pointed out happily, “This was our best-shooting free-throw game this season. We made 17-for-23.”

Chaney also was 23-for-46 (50 percent) from the field and held a 30-22 rebounding advantage.

Marsh also took the victorious opportunity to use Chaney’s final SVC game as a platform to call for the restoration of the SVC in its previous form.

“I would have liked to see the SVC stay intact. I would like to see other schools get involved in the SVC, like Boardman and Fitch, and bring back the old league like it was before,” Marsh said. “Why should Boardman and Fitch have to drive all that distance [to Canton and Massillon) to play in the Federal League. What’s wrong with having an SVC?”

Ursuline had to rally to make the outcome a close one.

Chaney built a 50-42 lead late in the third quarter, but the Irish regrouped to outscore the Cowboys by 13-2 behind balanced scoring to take a 55-52 advantage with 4:02 left in the game on Dakota Trosky’s goal.

But Strong made two free throws and Parker a goal to give back the lead to the Cowboys, 56-55.

Then, after the teams exchanged two scores, Strong’s trey put Chaney ahead for good, 62-60.

kovach@vindy.com