Panthers show spunk, but fall

By Tom Williams

Boardman’s Samara Sutton came off the bench to give the Spartans the speed they needed against East.

YOUNGSTOWN — If the coaching passion of Boardman’s Ron Moschella and East High’s Tanisha Franklin could be channeled against Old Man Winter, there’d be a lot of unhappy Mahoning Valley students attending class today.

During Boardman’s 53-30 victory Thursday in the East gym, neither coach sat much despite Boardman’s double-digit lead for most of the game. Afterwards, both had raspy voices after the Panthers found a way to slow the Spartans’ offense in the third quarter.

“I’m always impressed at how hard she coaches,” said Moschella of Franklin. “They are a disciplined team. I’m very impressed by how hard they play.”

Franklin said the Panthers “prefer to play the tougher teams because it helps us in the long run. Not only does it tell us where we are as a team, but it’s a challenge for us and it helps get us ready for tournament time.”

Moschella was especially pleased at the spark senior Samara Sutton gave the Spartans (8-3) in the first half. The 5-foot-3 guard hit a 3-pointer and pulled down five rebounds in the first half, helping the Spartans race to a 34-12 lead.

“Samara Sutton coming off the bench got to every loose ball, did whatever she could and matched up with their quickness,” Moschella said. “I thought she was just spectacular. She’s tough for how small she is.”

Sutton was inserted into the lineup almost immediately as Moschella sought to motivate his players when Bethany Hines sank two 3-pointers for a 6-4 East lead. Hines finished with nine points.

“I love playing hard and coming off the bench cold,” said Sutton, who added that Moschella was “excited that we got to play” despite the wintry conditions that postponed most high school games.

“He likes to get school off,” agreed Monica Touvelle, who contributed 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal.

After Erin Brown’s basket and free throw put Boardman ahead for keeps, Katie Fiffick hit a 3-pointer, Darryce Moore made two free throws and Touvelle made the first of her four 3-pointers.

“He wanted us to come out strong and [I think] he thought we weren’t ready,” Touvelle said. “We came out a little slow. Samara gives us such a spark and it really gets us going and motivated.

“Once I made one [trey], I knew I could keep it going,” Touvelle said. “The zone is my kind of game — I like to move around to shoot and get open [against it].”

Trailing 34-12 at the half, the Panthers (5-4) came to life despite Reshayla Taylor committing her fourth foul in the first minute.

“It’s always the third quarter that is edgy with us and normally we have to pick it up as a team,” Sutton said.

Monet Oliver scored five points, Alex Hines made a 3-pointer and Briana Dawson produced three points and three rebounds as East outscored Boardman, 13-6, in the third quarter.

“We tell our kids that they have to know every position on the floor just in case [foul trouble] happens,” Franklin said. “They pretty much know the routine because we switch them around in practice.”

Moschella said the Panthers “stayed disciplined in their zone and our kids sort of fell into it. That’s probably one of our weakest points this year.”

Moore finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Acknowledging Moore’s gifts, Franklin said the Panthers worked to contain her and paid for it.

“She’s tough,” Franklin said. “It wasn’t enough. We tried to go zone and they’ve got shooters. That’s typical Boardman basketball.”

williams@vindy.com