McDonald stays unbeaten with romp at Covelli

By GREG GULAS

VINDIcator correspondent

YOUNGSTOWN — Matthias Tayala’s 21 points and 15 rebounds helped break open a close game in the second half as the McDonald High boys team defeated Columbiana, 71-45, in opening-night action of the Lariccia Family High School Basketball Series Tuesday at the Covelli Centre.

Tayala’s double-double led four Blue Devils in double figures as McDonald remained perfect in 11 outings this season.

The first half was anything but picture perfect for either the Blue Devils or Clippers. Both teams could manage just three buckets apiece in the opening stanza.

They combined to miss 15 free throws in the opening half as McDonald held a 28-21 lead.

“We had our opportunities in the first half but missed too many lay-ups and committed too many costly turnovers,” McDonald coach Jeff Rasile said. “Defensively, we played well, but it all seemed to come together for us in the second half when we moved the ball and did a better job rebounding.”

Nick Rota, one of four Blue Devils in double figures, scored seven of his 11 points in the third period as McDonald built a 50-30 lead.

Tayala, who had just seven points at halftime, added 10 points in the final frame to seal the victory.

“Matthias [Tayala] did an excellent job for us at both ends of the court tonight,” Rasile said. “ We played Columbiana here last year, trailing by four with about 30 seconds remaining and were fortunate to escape with a victory.

“Coach [Eric] Whitmer does an excellent job with the Clippers,” Rasile said. “His teams are always prepared and they just keep coming at you.

Nicola Accordino and Zach Puntel added 11 and 10 points respectively for the Blue Devils, who are now 3-0 in the tournament.

“We are a team that seems to get going in the second half so if anything, we need to work on getting our game kick-started in the first half,” Tayala said.

“I really do like to mix it up defensively, but credit my teammates tonight who were able to get me the ball when I was open around the bucket,” Tayala said,

Whitmer, whose team fell to 6-6, was frustrated with a 45-point night.

“It’s been a struggle for us all season long,” Whitmer said. “In the first half, I thought we did a lot of good things, especially defensively and felt like we had outplayed them, only to look up at the scoreboard to find us trailing at halftime.

“We average over 70 points a game so our 45 points tonight is well below that average,” Whitmer said. “We’re a better outside shooting team than we showed tonight.

“When we put five defensive players on the court, we struggle offensively,” Whitmer said. “When we put five offensive players on the court, we struggle defensively.

“Give McDonald credit — they finished their plays tonight and that was a big difference,” Whitmer said.

Nick Good had a team high 15 points for the Clippers.