After sluggish start, Tigers finish in first

Howland defeated Salem to earn a share of AAC Red Tier crown.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

HOWLAND — After being limited by Salem to just 15 points in the first half, the Howland High girls basketball team returned the favor.

The Tigers outscored the Quakers 28-15 in Thursday’s second half for a 43-37 victory to earn a piece of the All-American Conference Red Tier crown.

Sophomore Erika Nites scored 11 of her game-high 13 points in the second half to spark the Tigers (15-3, 7-1) to their second straight league title. Canfield, which defeated Howland two weeks ago in a double-overtime game, has one more AAC Red game and can tie the Tigers with a victory over Poland.

The centerpiece of Thursday’s contest was the battle between Howland sophomore Taylor Williams and Salem senior and Ohio State recruit Amy Scullion.

“That was fun to watch,” Salem coach Jeff Andres said. “They are both great athletes and very fierce competitors.”

Williams contributed 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks while Scullion had nine points, 10 rebounds and a block for the Quakers (11-5, 3-4).

“It’s nice to see [Canfield point guard Jillian] Halfhill and Scullion [for the last time] because they have been the two premier players in our league for the last two years,” Howland coach John Diehl said. “In fact, Amy has been great the last four years. She is very difficult to defend.

“Last year, Taylor did a pretty good job of guarding [Scullion at Salem] and that’s when we learned she can play some defense.”

The Tigers were playing their first game in eight days while the Quakers had been idle since Jan. 30.

“Salem came out strong, with a lot of adrenaline,” Williams said. “I didn’t think the weather had as much of an impact as Salem’s defense.

“It felt good to win this knowing we are AAC Red champs [even if] we share it with Canfield,” Williams said.

Both teams appeared to be shaking off rust in the first half as the Quakers jumped out to a 22-15 lead. The battle near the basket was intense as Scullion had two points and Williams six.

“Both teams can play pretty good defense,” Andres said.

Things changed quickly early in the third quarter after Salem sophomore Cassie Davidson picked up her third and fourth fouls within 20 seconds.

Nites sank all six of her free throw attempts in the third quarter as the Tigers took a 28-25 lead by limiting the Quakers to a basket and free throw by Scullion.

Davidson and Howland’s Kaylee Redon played most of the final quarter with four fouls. Davidson scored four points and made three rebounds and a steal while Redon had four rebounds and six points.

In the Tigers’ final surge, Williams scored four points and guard Olivia Nicholas netted five.

“I thought we let it slip away,” Andres said. “I thought we had them. We didn’t handle the pressure very well in the second half.

“But our girls are fighters and I’m glad I am on their side,” Andres said.

Danielle Kruegel led the Quakers with 10 points.

williams@vindy.com