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Carlson, Mosley lead in Division IV tourney
By JON MOFFETT
HUBBARD
Lowellville High’s Emily Carlson is a soft-spoken, 5-foot-2 sophomore on any given day.
But on game day, Carlson transforms into a fearless 6-foot senior.
“See, when I’m playing, I don’t feel like a sophomore,” she said. “I feel like I’ve played with these girls my whole life. And I don’t feel like an underclassman, I just try to play big and give the best I can for my team.”
Carlson’s 25-point performance led her team to a 66-50 victory over Warren JFK in the semifinals of the Division IV girls basketball tournament Thursday.
The Rockets (20-3) are one win away from the district championship and will play McDonald for the title Saturday.
“In big games, she plays unbelievable basketball and she doesn’t play like a sophomore,” Lowellville coach Anthony Matisi said of Carlson.
They grow up so fast, don’t they?
In fact, Matisi said he sometimes has to slow Carlson down for her own good. Otherwise the tenacious teen might hurt herself.
“Before we play certain teams with bigger girls, we have to tell her that she can’t take it inside against 6-footers,” he said laughing. “She has no fear at all. She’s crazy.”
Crazy, maybe. But also a dangerous offensive weapon for the Rockets.
When the Eagles (11-10) tried to force her to the outside, Carlson felt just as comfortable, sinking three 3-point goals. When they tried to drive her inside, Carlson went to the basket strong and earned extra chances at the free-throw line.
Of her 25 points, Carlson scored 12 at the charity stripe, going 12-14.
But the biggest downside for the Rockets was the possibility of a season-ending injury.
With just over 10 seconds left in the third quarter, sophomore Taylor Hvisdak was bumped and landed awkwardly on her right wrist. She writhed in pain for a few minutes before being helped back to the bench.
The early prognosis on the right arm, which she held limply to her chest, is a broken wrist.
McDonald High defeated Crestview High 66-64 in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader.
And as the McDonald High girls basketball team walked to the locker room, coach Rob Hilbun put his arm around Joh’Vonnie Mosley in congratulations.
The senior had just had another stellar performance in a 66-64 victory over Crestview that came down to the final seconds.
Mosley had 29 points for the Blue Devils (14-8) and let her presence be known in the paint.
“She’s been unbelievable for four years, and whenever tournament time comes, she steps up ,” Hilbun said.
The Rebels (10-13) brought the score within two points with only a few seconds remaining, but weren’t able to score the tying basket.
McDonald junior Sophia Accordino clutched the ball for the final two seconds to ensure the win.
Crestview tried to answer Mosley’s power with freshman Ashley Harrison and 6-foot-3 junior Shanelle Davner. Harrison a game-high 37, but it wasn’t enough to overpower Mosely and the Blue Devils.
Davner added 15 points for the Rebels.