Champion holds off AAC rival Girard with defense

YOUNGSTOWN — Champion High raced out to 10-3 lead and never looked back as the Flashes defeated the Girard Indians, 43-34, in an All-American Conference Blue Tier girls basketball game on Saturday at the Lariccia Family High School Basketball Series at the Covelli Centre.

“I thought we played well overall, missing some shots and free throws but the depth perception at the Covelli Centre had a little bit to do with that,” said Champion coach Jeff Thompson.

“We hang our hat on our defense and like to rebound then run the floor once we get the ball,” he added. “Girard is a team that never quits so overall I felt like we had a solid effort at both ends of the court tonight.”

Leading just 22-17 at the intermission, Champion (12-2, 4-0) outscored Girard (5-8, 1-3) 15-5 in the third quarter and never looked back.

Lindsay Swipas had a team high nine points and both Mackenzie Kiser and Briana Lewis each added eight apiece for the Flashes.

Katelynne Brainard had a game-high 14 points, adding eight rebounds, to pace the Indians.