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Hynes comes up big for LHS
By JON MOFFETT
HUBBARD
Jamie Hynes knew that as the only senior on the Lowellville High girls basketball team she’d have to be a leader in Saturday’s Division IV district championship game against McDonald.
What she didn’t know was she’d end up being the hero.
The Rockets (21-3) were able to escape with a 54-53 victory.
Trailing with only a few seconds left in the game, Hynes dove on a loose ball in what McDonald (14-9) coach Rob Hilbun compared to a rugby scrum under the Lowellville basket.
Hynes emerged from the heap and tossed up a shot as she was fouled. The bucket tied the game at 53, with Hynes at the line.
After a flurry of timeouts, Hynes took her place at the line and sank the shot to give Lowellville the 54-53 lead.
“I thought it was going to rim out on the right-hand side, and then it hit and went right in,” Hynes said with her district championship medal, complete with a piece of the net, draped around her neck. “And then I didn’t see anything except for the floor because I had all of the girls jumping on me.”
McDonald inbounded the ball with three seconds left, but a 3-point shot from half court fell just short as time expired.
After dozens of pictures with the district championship hardware and passing out pieces of the nets, Lowellville coach Anthony Matisi gave his thoughts on the game.
“Pretty boring, typical McDonald vs. Lowellville game,” he said with a big smile.
Sarcasm aside, fans in attendance got their $6 worth out of the performance.
Three players for Lowellville — Hynes, along with sophomore Emily Carlson and freshman Kaye Solak — scored 14 points each for the Rockets. McDonald had three players score 10 points, and were led by senior stalwart Joh’Vonnie Mosley with 18.
But the final point was what Matisi said made everything so special.
“I don’t know how she made it,” he said. “How can a kid under that much pressure make a shot like that? I mean, my knees were shaking.”
Hilbun said he was impressed with Hynes’ composure and with his team’s performance.
The loss meant the end of a 1,500-plus point career for Mosley. Both coaches were quick to compliment Mosley.
“Joh’Vonnie has been fabulous for four years,” Hilbun said. “She’s been to the district finals four years [in a row]. She’s been our glue. We’re going to miss her; we’re going to miss all the seniors. We can’t replace her, but we’re hoping the younger kids see the work ethic and leadership she provides.”
Said Matisi, “I’ve enjoyed coaching against her for four years. She’s such a competitor, such a ball player and a great kid. She never says a word on the floor, and I told her it was a pleasure coaching against her.”