Eagles soar to biggest victory

By Tom Williams

Youngstown Christian will play in its first district final on Friday.

STRUTHERS — After scoring 22 points to lead the Youngstown Christian boys basketball team to its biggest victory, senior Olonzo Johnson was just as happy to talk about guarding.

“Defense, that’s the big thing, locking up,” said Johnson, who had three steals and eight rebounds in Monday’s 64-58 victory over East Canton in the Division IV district semifinal game at Struthers Fieldhouse. “Anybody can get a run but not everyone can stop one.”

The Eagles (18-3) outscored the Hornets 20-13 in the fourth quarter and await the winner of tonight’s McDonald-Lake Center Christian. The district final will be played Friday at 7 p.m.

“It was a game of runs so [it was a matter] having patience, buckling down to see who was going to have the last run,” Johnson said. “We played a lot of hard games, but that was one of the hardest, one of those games that could have gone either way.”

Youngstown Christian appeared to have the Hornets contained when Anthony Walker scored the Eagles’ final basket of the third quarter for a 44-34 lead.

But East Canton (13-10) wasn’t done as sophomore Ryan Burfield scored 11 straight points (three 3-pointers, two free throws) for a 45-44 lead.

“Burfield had a nice flurry,” East Canton coach Chad Spurgeon said of his sophomore outside shooter. “We have a tendency to score in spurts because of our inexperience.”

Tied at 51, the Eagles seized control when Johnson scored a basket and free throw while Victor Shaw added a bucket.

“Olonzo is a beast,” said teammate John Pecchia, who scored 14 points. “He works crazy hard, he can jump out of the gym, always keeps his head.

“This is really exciting, biggest win in our school history, definitely … so far,” Pecchia said. “East Canton is real tough, real strong, real physical.

“This is real great for our school,” Pecchia said. “It’s the first time we’ve made it this far in the tournament.”

Youngstown Christian coach Dolph Carroll agreed about the physicality.

“It was so stinking hard-fought,” Carroll said. “That was a fun game to be a part of — two teams with nothing but heart and soul going at each other like nobody’s business.”

Spurgeon wasn’t surprised.

“We battled — that’s our game and it gets ugly,” Spurgeon said. “We defend pretty aggressively and abrasively. It tends to turn the other team a little ugly.”

Carroll said the Hornets’ 11-0 run was his responsibility.

“I let it get away and that was probably my fault for not stopping the run but I felt like we’re OK because it’s third quarter,” Carroll said. “The kids responded.

“They know that they have to step up and make a play to stop a run,” Carroll said. “They did a really good job to start the fourth quarter without getting rattled. The kids were unbelievable tonight.”

Carroll praised Johnson and Pecchia for leadership.

“He defends, he rebounds, he finishes late and he makes free throws,” said Carroll of Johnson. “He’s a special kid.

“[Pecchia] is heady, he’s smart, he makes us go,” Carroll said. “He’s kind of like a calming effect.”

Early in the fourth quarter, Pecchia hobbled to the bench after a collision with East Canton’s Zell Bradley.

Pecchia said he suffered a deep charley horse.

“I was real nervous because I didn’t think I was going to be able to [return],” Peechia said. “My knee was real tight.”

Pecchia returned and he, Johnson, Walker and Shaw each made a free throw in the final seconds to seal the victory. Walker and Shaw each finished with 13 points.

Burfield led the Hornets with a career-high 26 points.

williams@vindy.com