Physical Hoover handles Boardman

By Jon Moffett

The Vikings defeated the Spartans, 55-36.

BOARDMAN — A tough interior defense by North Canton Hoover forced the Boardman High boys basketball team to abandon its gameplan and take forced shots from the outside.

The Spartans (5-8, 1-4 Federal League) shot nine 3-point attempts, but made only one in Friday’s 55-36 loss to Hoover.

“We wanted to come out and try to get the ball inside against them, but we couldn’t handle their pressure to throw the ball inside,” Boardman coach Jim Goske said. “I think we had a little bit of an advantage inside in a couple areas, but we didn’t execute to get the ball inside.”

One reason the Spartans weren’t able to penetrate the paint was an impressive and physical defense for Hoover.

The Vikings (11-2, 4-2) clogged the middle of the court and forced Boardman to take outside shots. When the Spartans did drive to the basket, they were met with many blocks and hard fouls.

Conversely, Hoover had no trouble scoring in the paint and forced the Spartans to foul its shooters.

“I think the two big factors are one, that’s a good team and you know how hard and physical they play,” Goske said. “And the other factor was how non-physical we played and how non-aggressive we were. You put those things together and you get a 20-point loss.”

When Hoover did drive inside, it forced Spartan defenders to foul.

The Vikings had 27 free throw attempts in the game, making 17 of them. The Spartans finished 7-of-12 from the line, but did not have a free throw attempt in the first half.

Boardman senior J.T. Moore had a rough day, fouling out with 5:18 remaining in the game. Teammate Dayne Hammond, a sophomore, had four fouls late in the game.

Goske said the fouls probably increased his team’s cautious play.

“Any time you get into foul trouble you get a little more tentatively, a little less aggressive defensively and more hesitant on offense,” he said.

No Spartans scored in double-figures and Moore fouled out with nine a team-high nine points. Behind him were senior Kevin Johnson and junior David Dibernardi, who each had seven.

Dibernardi had the only 3-point goal for the Spartans.

Leading the way for Hoover was senior Cory Veldhuizen with 16.

Hoover coach Randy Montgomery gave credit to the Spartans and said his opponent played tough and had nothing to be upset about.

“It was a grind-it-out win and neither team shot real well,” Montgomery said. “I think our defensive pressure was a problem for them.”

Hoover’s defense allowed only 12 points in the first half and 36 for the entire game. Montgomery said the balance on the team has made the team so successful this year.

“We’ve been able to go and play good competition,” he said. “We’re playing well. We lost two games, but they’ve been against good teams.”

Montgomery added that his team is focused on defending its district championship and heading into postseason tournament play.

Boardman is left looking up from near the bottom of the Federal League.

Goske said his team is focused on taking the season one game at a time, but was surprised at how his team lost its focus against a tough conference team.

“We played like we were rattled tonight, and I’m not sure why,” he said.

jmoffett@vindy.com