Newton Falls gains district final

By John Kovach

Brian Sole, Marcus Fowler and Todd Medallis led the Tigers past Pymatuning Valley, 73-57.

HOWLAND — When a basketball team isn’t making its first and second shots, it needs effective rebounding to give it more scoring opportunities.

Pymatuning Valley managed to get its share of offensive rebounds in the first quarter against Newton Falls Monday night, and took a 16-15 lead in a Division III district tournament semifinal game at Howland High gym.

But after that, the Tigers, behind strong rebounding from Marcus Fowler, Brian Sole and Cody Dillon, dominated the boards, restricted the cold-shooting Lakers to one or two shots and streaked to a 73-57 victory, before an announced estimated attendance of 1,600 fans.

Sole scored 20 points, including three 3-point goals, and grabbed seven rebounds, while Fowler had 17 points and nine rebounds and Todd Medallis contributed 16 points and four assists, as Newton Falls (21-2) advanced to a district final Friday at 7 p.m.

The Tigers, in their eighth district final since 1990 and fourth in the last five years, will face the winner of tonight’s other district semifinal between LaBrae (13-8) and Champion (10-12) at 7 p.m.

Newton Falls enjoyed a 35-20 rebounding advantage, and that was a big factor in the outcome of the game.

“[Pymatuning Valley] scored well off the offensive glass in the first quarter. but we did a better job after that starting in the second quarter of keeping down their scoring and keeping them off the offensive glass,” said coach Roy Sembach, whose Tigers outscored the Lakers in the second period, 17-5, for a 32-21 halftime lead.

Sole canned two 3-point goals and Fowler two goals in the second period to key the Tigers’ comeback.

Coach Jeremy Huber of Pymatuning Valley agreed with Sembach’s opinion about the early rebounding factor.

“We were not capitalizing on our offensive end, and they are going after the rebounds. and we are not getting second shots,” said Huber. Meanwhile, “They are getting second shots and making them.”

Sembach said the Lakers’ were double- and triple-teaming defenders against the 6-foot-11 Fowler, but the big man managed to overcome the onslaught.

“I thought Marcus was very patient. They were sagging two and three players back on him, and it would have been easy for him to force shots but he was patient and passing the ball out,” said Sembach.

Fowler scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half.

Huber said Fowler was a force underneath.

“When you have Fowler inside, he is going to alter your shots,” said Huber.

Sembach also lauded Sole and Medallis.

“Sole stepped up. He had a great defensive game with a lot of deflections. It seemed like he was involved in everything on the court. He played really hard. She shot the ball well and got loose balls and rebounds,” said Sembach.

Sole had nine of his points in the third as Newton Falls opened a 54-36 advantage entering the finale.

And, “Medallis runs the show. He’s the ball handler. He can drive and shoot.”

Medallis had 10 points and Fowler seven in the final quarter to help the Tigers maintain control.

When you have Fowler inside, he is going to alter your shots.

Jon York scored 22 points to lead Pymatuning, including five 3-point goals, while Andrew Smith added 15 points and eight rebounds and Mitch Berrier eight points, three assists and three rebounds.

Poor foul shooting (20-for-51 and 11-for-24 from the foul line) also hurt the Lakers.

“There was a stretch there when we were not good from the foul line,” said Huber.

kovach@vindy.com