Streaking Mooney subdues Chaney

YOUNGSTOWN – The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team feels like it is peaking at just the right time with tournament play just around the corner.

Chaney, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance but have nothing to show for it since the midway point of the season.

Chuck Gruber’s 16 points and John Stoops’ double-double led four Cardinals in double figures Tuesday as Mooney won 73-61 at the Cowboy gymnasium.

The Cardinals (13-4) have won four straight and six of seven. The Cowboys (5-13) have lost six straight.

“We feel like we’re right where we want to be,” Cardinals coach Chris Kohl said. “This is the portion of your schedule where you want to build some momentum, execute your offense with the hopes of getting to the free throw line while playing good defense as well.

“Tonight, we had an excellent game offensively, exceeded our season scoring average by a good 10 points and always seemed to find the open guy. There were many positives for us in tonight’s game.”

Mooney scored the first eight points, six of those coming off three John Stoops buckets, as the Cardinals built a 14-4 advantage.

Two triples and a jumper by Chaney’s Carlos Colon then keyed an 11-4 run by the Cowboys as they pulled to within 18-15 at the quarter.

Chaney’s Ken Strong then nailed three of his game-high five triples in the second stanza, the last one at the 3:21 mark which enabled the Cowboys to pull to within a bucket at 28-26.

That was the closest they would get the rest of the way as Gruber and John Stoops combined to score 12 of the Cardinals’ 22 points in the period and Mooney increased its lead to 40-30 at intermission.

Kohl was absolutely delighted with Gruber’s effort at both ends of the court.

“Chuck [Gruber] is the best 6-[foot]-1 post player in the Mahoning Valley,” Kohl said. “Opponents have a tough time matching up with him because he’ll take them to the woodshed.

“He was a solid player for us last season and is even better this year. Also, you won’t meet a nicer person than Chuck.”

Gruber’s 10 points after halftime helped the Cardinals maintain a 59-53 advantage with one period remaining.

The Mooney defense took over in the final period as it held the Cowboys to just four buckets, didn’t allow a triple off of six Chaney attempts from beyond the arc and forced seven turnovers.

“We got off to a fast start tonight, got the early lead and when coach [Kohl] decided to isolate me in the third period, I was able to respond,” Gruber said. “We’ve played some good ball of late but we can still get better. Building much needed momentum as we prepare for tournament pay will be key for us.”

Cowboys coach Josh Marsh feels his team needs to dictate the tempo of the game in order to be successful.

“We’re not like a light switch where you just turn it on and then turn it off. We have to dictate the tempo of the game,” he said. “The three goals in basketball are to shoot, pass and dribble with the fourth goal to stop your opponent from putting the ball in the hoop that you are defending.

“Until we realize that we won’t win very many games. You need intensity and execution. With that and heart you can win any game.”