Spartans dominate first half in win over Ursuline

The Spartans were called for two technical fouls in the third quarter, but remained composed.

By Jon Moffett

BOARDMAN — Monica Touvelle said she and her Boardman High teammates are in the driver’s seat for what she hopes is a run at the Federal League title.

But if the 5-foot-8 senior is driving the car, then her Spartan teammates are sitting in the passenger and back seats guiding her.

“All of us are really good friends on and off the court, so I think that really helps,” she said. “We get along very well and we just really enjoy playing together.”

The Spartans (7-1) are a perfect 3-0 in the Federal League and continue to leave a foot on the accelerator. And a dominant 74-35 non-league win over Ursuline (4-5) gave the Spartans more momentum.

“We had a lot of pressure; people were saying it was going to be a really close game, so we just wanted to come out and prove ourselves,” she said.

Touvelle, who will play basketball at Youngstown State University next year, led the game with 24 points.

The Spartan defense allowed only nine first-half points to the Fighting Irish and the offense helped out with 40.

Ursuline also committed 10 fouls in the first half, compared to only three by the Spartans.

Ursuline head coach Sean Durkin left the gymnasium before giving comment.

But the Irish refused to let a poor first half doom them and came out to play a physical second half.

Early in the third quarter, Touvelle and Ursuline’s Aurielle Irizarry got tangled up on a play, resulting in some words exchanged and a brief shoving match. Touvelle was called for a technical foul.

Chase Connors, a senior, made both free throw attempts for the Irish, capping off an 8-0 run to start the second half.

But Moschella, whose face resembled the maroon of the gym floor at times, barked out orders and helped the team regain composure.

“I was really proud of my team, we really matched up well,” he said. “We got a little foul crazy there for a while, but I told them at the half to expect them to make a run. But our kids maintained their composure.”

Moschella credited several players for a good performance, but the victory was all about the team.

Senior Darryce Moore, an Ohio State recruit who had 13 points, including five from the free throw line, agreed with Touvelle and said the team is so successful because it plays like a family.

“I think everyone wants to play together; we don’t want to play separately,” she said. “We don’t want to be selfish and I think that’s what keeps us together and encouraging each other.”

Moore added that it is up to her and fellow seniors Doriyon Glass and Touvelle to lead the team and makes sure everyone is prepared.

“Year after year, it’s always the seniors who hold the team together,” she said. “And this year, it’s me, Monica and Doriyon.”

But it’s important to Moore and the other seniors the entire team reamin as close-knit as possible.

Moore said she and her teammates go to the movies and other venues with each other off the court.

The team even had a Christmas party at Moschella’s house.

Glass was second on the team in points with 14, followed by Moore and junior Kayleigh Lipke with 10.

The Irish spread the ball around and had only one player, senior Kaneesha Tensley, score seven or more points.

Moschella credited the team’s defense for shutting Ursuline down and also gave kudos to the Irish.

“I thought we really came out and played really well. I think our defense really stymied them,” he said. “I think Doriyon [Glass] controlled everything, because they’re a really good pressure team. I don’t think they played one of their better games and they just got so far behind in the second half. But they tried to make a game of it, which is commendable.”

While Moschella didn’t say the team resembled a family, he did say its deserves credit for jelling during the season and playing as one.

“I think it’s eight kids believing in each other, eight kids playing hard and playing as a team and nobody really caring who scores more. We preface everything on our defense and the offense just comes.”

Moschella, who was battling a small bout with laryngitis after the game from yelling from the bench all game, would not say where he feels the team can go from here.

He did say winning the Federal League is goal No. 1 and then the team will just “go from there.”

“Winning the league is our main goal, but we play each game to learn something,” he said. “Today, Ursuline taught us how to play the second half and how to not be lackadaisical and play hard.

The Spartans will host Massillon-Jackson at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

jmoffett@vindy.com