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Carlson scores 16 as Rockets romp
By Greg Gulas
NEW MIDDLETOWN
Lowellville High girls basketball coach Tony Matisi doesn’t have a senior on his roster and isn’t too concerned about his team offensively.
It’s the Rockets’ defense that he hopes will show improvement.
Emily Carlson scored 16 points and Kaye Solak added 15 markers Monday to lead four Rockets in double figures as Lowellville defeated Springfield, 75-46.
“We preach transition and 3’s, and I felt like we did a good job in both of those areas tonight,” Matisi said. “In the summer, we talked as a team about where we stood offensively while all agreed that we could become a better defensive squad, especially if we worked hard enough in the offseason.
“We made a few mistakes tonight that I would like us to correct before our next game, but overall we accomplished what we needed to accomplish the first time out,” Matisi said.
Rachel Durbin scored five of the Rockets’ first 10 points as Lowellville raced to the early 15-2 advantage.
Carlson, who nailed two of her game-high triples in the second quarter, helped key a 22-8 run by the Rockets as Lowellville forged a 43-18 margin at the intermission.
Carlson, who has been a starter since her freshman year, wanted to start the season on the right foot.
“We lost to Springfield Local the last two seasons so we definitely wanted to start this year off with a win,” Carlson said. “We started a little slow but picked it up at both ends of the court and then took control defensively with our pressure.
“We still need to work on some things defensively, but overall the effort was there and that is a good sign,” Carlson said.
Matisi added that his point guard in one player who sees the entire court.
“From day one as a freshman, Emily [Carlson] stepped into the point guard slot and took control,” Matisi said. “In addition to her shooting, she handles the ball well and is equally adept at dishing it off to her teammates when they are open.
“It’s an old clich , but she is basketball smart and knows exactly what to do with the ball when she has it in her hands,” he said.
Springfield’s Brooke Schrieber scored five of her game-high 21 points in the final quarter.
“Lowellville is a well-coached team that really doesn’t have many weaknesses,” Springfield coach Jim Schuler said. “They’re a tough team with a great group of players who can shoot, handle the ball and play defense with the best of them.”