Wildcats inspired going to regional

By TOM WILLIAMS

williams@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

After the Struthers High girls basketball team rallied to capture their first Division II regional berth in 14 years, the tears the players shed were of more than joy.

“This was a miracle and I have Mrs. [Doris] Lancy to thank,” senior Helen-Marie Hird said after the Wildcats defeated top-seeded Salem, 59-54, on Saturday. “Honestly, she has been a true blessing and we couldn’t have done it without her [inspiration].”

Hird and the other Wildcats seniors — Dana Mathews, Kaitlyn Opritza and Ashley Baron — were quick to say how much their former scorekeeper, who died of cancer in 2009, meant to them.

“This is for her — we’ve been doing this the whole year, winning for her,” Baron said. “She’s been our guardian angel.”

Before Saturday, Struthers (19-5), the winners of the All-American Conference White Tier, had lost in the district semifinals for three straight seasons. A 46-43 win over West Branch advanced them to the title game against the Quakers (18-6), who had defeated Struthers 57-32 in December.

“Before she died, we told her that we would be here,” said Mathews of the district title game. “So that’s why it’s so emotional for us because we told her we’d be here. We do everything [in memory] of her.”

Janet George, Mrs. Lancy’s daughter, said her mother had been involved with the Struthers girls program for 30 years before suffering a brain tumor.

Tonight at Barberton, the Wildcats will play their first regional game since 1996. The opponent is Geneva, winner of the Andover district.

Also earning regional berths were Ursuline (Division III) and Lowellville (Division IV).

The Irish (13-9) will be playing for their third regional title in seven seasons. In 2004 and 2006, Sean Durkin’s teams earned state trips. The Irish were state champions in 2004 and state runners-up in 2006.

Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., Ursuline will play Smithville, winner of the Wooster district, at Cuyahoga Falls High.

Lowellville (21-3), is making its second straight appearance at the Div. IV regional at Massillon Perry High. Thursday at 6:15 p.m., the Rockets, champions of the Inter Tri-County League Tier Two, will play Cuyahoga Heights, the Norwayne district champion.

Ursuline (Chase Connors and Shamia Harrison) and Lowellville (Taylor Hvisdak) have injury issues.

“Connors had a couple of stitches over her eye,” said Durkin, who was awaiting a medical report about Harrison’s sprained shoulder.

Durkin said the Smithies’ 6-foot Jenna Pew will have their attention.

“They lost their first game of the year and have been undefeated since,” Durkin said. “They beat United last year in a regional semifinal by seven. They are a good team but not an unbelievable team.”

Hvisdak’s season ended last Thursday when she suffered broken bones in her arm against Warren JFK. In the district final against McDonald, the Rockets won, 55-54, with senior Jamie Hynes, sophomore Emily Carlson and freshman Kaye Solak each scoring 14 points.