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Comets’ strong third quarter tames Tigers
By Doug Chapin
HOWLAND
The Howland High girls basketball team gave up 25 points in the third quarter and suffered its first loss of the season on Tuesday, a 68-53 defeat to Solon High in a battle of northeast Ohio girls basketball powers.
But maybe there is a silver lining for the Tigers.
“That may be the first time that’s happened in years. I don’t know when someone’s scored 25 points on us in the third quarter,” Howland coach John Diehl said. “We knew they were very good and they play eight deep all equally, and it definitely wore us down.
“I don’t know if it was their eight against our five. I don’t know, maybe we don’t work the girls hard enough. That’s why sometimes it’s good to lose.”
The loss, which might eventually benefit the Tigers, came despite a 23-point, 15-rebound effort from Taylor Williams who has been slowed by injury of late. Erika Nites added 14 points and Olivia Nicholas had eight points and six assists for the Tigers (5-1).
Solon (5-1) had balanced scoring with 18 points from Martha Thompson, 16 from Kristen Confrey, 14 from Jaime Gluesing and 11 from Kristen Low.
“Taylor being hurt the last couple weeks has kind of slowed down our offense,” Diehl said. “She missed a couple inbounds plays tonight that are usually money for her. She gave a good effort, considering.”
Howland led 11-10 after one quarter and 26-23 at the half. The Tigers led by as many as six points in the first half.
The decisive third quarter didn’t start out all that badly for the home team. Natalie Silbaugh nailed a pair of 3-pointers and the Tigers led 35-34 with 3:36 remaining in the period.
The Comets put together a quick 8-0 run to take a 42-35 lead with 2:36 left. Five of the points came directly off steals, a problem for the Tigers all night.
Howland had 25 turnovers in the game, including 14 Solon steals.
Howland trailed 48-39 at the end of the quarter and got no closer than five points the rest of the way, 57-52, with 1:25 remaining in the game. From that point the Comets shot 9-for-10 from the free throw line to ice the game.
Diehl said the Tigers looked forward to facing Solon and could benefit from the defeat.
“We’ve been kind of pointing at this game. We pointed at Harding and we’ve pointed at this one,” Diehl said. “We should have been ready for this one tonight.
“Losing always re-focuses the girls, re-focuses us. I think it will make us work harder in practice.”