43
Fitch’s defense holds Bulldogs in check
The Falcons forced 25 turnovers to beat Poland by 22 points.
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McDonald's Johvonnie Mosley (44) gets blocked by Lowellville's Kelly Hynes (21), Monday February 8, 2010
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Adriana Sikora (40) of Poland and Stephanie Berdis (35) fight for the ball during their game Monday night in Austintown.
By Greg Gulas
Vindicator Correspondent
AUSTINTOWN — Anissa Hill came off the bench to score a game-high 14 points and Austintown Fitch held Poland to its second-lowest offensive output of the season in a 45-23 victory on Monday’s “Senior Night” at the Falcon Gymnasium.
The game was also designated “Breast Cancer Awareness Night” as the teams helped to raise $310 for the national philanthropy.
The Falcons, who forced 25 turnovers, held Poland to just three points in the first quarter, while the Bulldogs’ nine points in the first half was also their second-lowest of the season.
“We were worried about their size underneath so our game plan was to put pressure on the guards with the hopes of forcing turnovers,” said Fitch coach Stacie Cepin. “That is exactly what we were able to do tonight.
“They gave us a battle in the opening game of the season at their place, but we’ve come a long way since then.
“We play a tough schedule and that has made us better over the course of the season,” Cepin said.
The Falcons reeled off the first seven points of the game then Hill scored the last seven points of the period as Fitch raced to the early 14-3 advantage.
Six points by Byanca Henderson in the second quarter then gave Fitch (5-12) a comfortable 24-9 lead at the intermission.
The Falcons, who never trailed in the game, outscored Poland (8-10) by a 21-14 count in the second half to seal the victory.
Cepin, who is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer, had the opportunity while serving on the Clemson University staff to meet the late North Carolina State coach, Kay Yow, and became inspired by her courageous fight with breast cancer.
Monday’s game was a tribute to the late coach who helped begin a nationwide awareness of the disease.
“We actually dedicated a game like this when I was at Shelbyville [Ind.] High School and it went over really well,” said Cepin. “To be able to put this game together in such a short period of time is a tribute to my assistant coaches, the administration and of course, the players.
Tom Carney is a social studies teacher at Campbell Memorial High who taught Cepin.
His daughter, Megan, is also a member of the Falcons’ varsity team.
“Having a game dedicated to breast cancer awareness is an absolutely great idea,” he said. “This is a disease that is insidious in our country so to help raise much needed dollars and create awareness at the same time is a tremendous idea.”
The three game officials — Rob Luklan, Jerry Fordham and Nick Sudzina — were pleased to draw the game day assignment.
“In football, that first Friday of the season we do something to honor the males in regards to prostate health so this is a fitting way to honor the women,” said Fordham. “Tonight I used a pink whistle to show my appreciation and recognition for such a worthwhile cause.”
Wilson Okello, a senior at Youngstown State who is doing his student teaching at Fitch, called the idea fantastic.
“The high school community is lucky to have this open dialogue for it creates an awareness that might otherwise have been overlooked,” he said.
Janet Polish, Fitch’s boys and girls tennis coach, was happy that everything came together in such a short period of time.
“It’s great to see a coach take the initiative for such a worthwhile cause,” she said. “I could very easily see myself and both of our tennis teams doing something very similar to this in the spring and fall.”