Stage set for big rematch between Canfield, Salem

By John Kovach

The Cardinals and Quakers advanced to the district final Saturday for the second straight year.

AUSTINTOWN — The stage is set for two of the best girls high school basketball teams in Northeast Ohio to return for another Division II district championship.

Arch rivals Canfield and Salem, which battled it out for last year’s district championship, both came away with wins in Thursday’s semifinal games at Fitch High gym to advance to Saturday’s district final at 1 p.m.

Canfield (15-8), led by Jillian Halfhill’s 21 points and Anokha Padubidri’s 18 plus strong rebounding, held off Struthers, 54-43, in the nightcap as the Wildcats’ late rally fizzled.

Salem (19-4), sparked by Brittney Ritchie’s 12 points and eight rebounds and Amy Scullion’s 12 points, five rebounds and three assists and Taylor Sauerwein’s three 3-point goals for nine points, turned back Kenston, 43-30, as the Lady Bombers’ late comeback also fell short.

The Canfield-Salem rematch should be a good one: The teams split over the regular season, the Cardinals winning at home at home on Jan. 14 , 48-39, with the Quakers prevailing at home on Jan. 31, 46-39.

Last year in the district final, Canfield defeated Salem 36-30.

Coach Pat Pavlansky of Canfield said the Cardinals’ defense against Struthers was the difference in the game.

“They were [15]-for-54. Anytime you hold a team to that low of a [shooting] percentage, your defense is playing pretty good,” said Pavlansky. “We played good defensively all night. They weren’t getting any good shots.”

Also,” [Padubidri] got her hands on a lot of balls. She doesn’t waste too many shots.” And, “She had at least 10-12 rebounds.”

He also said that, “[Halfhill] is a very nice player. She really makes our team go.”

Coach John Grandy of Struthers (17-6) agreed, in part, with Pavlansky’s assessment.

“Credit their defense, but we had our opportunities. We were making a run and didn’t get a shot. We were not taking care of the ball,” said Grandy.

Canfield led Struthers by 44-30 entering the final period, but the Wildcats rallied behind Dana Mathews’ eight points to pull with 50-43.

However, Halfhill canned four straight foul shots to sew up the Cardinals’ win.

Mathews finished with 18 points, including four 3-point goals, to lead Struthers (17-6).

In the opener, Salem built a 33-14 lead over Kenston entering the fourth quarter, but the Lady Bombers reeled off a 16-2 scoring advantage on balanced scoring to pull to within 39-30.

However, Salem made four free throws, two by Ritchie, to quell the uprising.

Mollie Bitting had six points while Ali Read and Melissa Gorup added five apiece to lead Kenston (13-9).

Coach Jeff Andres of Salem said his defense was outstanding.

“We did a good job defensively in the first half. We held them to eight points [22-8 lead]. Our man-to-man defense over full court really pressed their guards. We made them work hard to get a shot,” said Andres.

And, “Brittney [Ritchie] and Amy [Scullion] were the horses inside. Both dominated the boards. Ritchie had eight rebounds and Scullion five.”

Coach Kevin Hinkle of Kenston said that his team got too far behind Salem and started its comeback too late.

“They are a very good team. You can’t get down by that many points. They were very physical from the beginning and their pressure defense hampered us,” said Hinkle.

kovach@vindy.com