Spartans overcome East with a late run

By Greg Gulas | January 4, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN

In a game that featured six ties, 10 lead changes and a combined 64 missed shots, 61 rebounds, 46 turnovers and 15 steals, it was only fitting that the Boardman Spartans rely on a hot hand at the charity stripe to dictate the outcome of their game with East High.

Brooke Meenachan scored 18 points, including eight straight during a 15-6 run in the third quarter to help lift the Spartans to 51-42 win over the Panthers Monday.

“We really hit some clutch free throws down the stretch but to be honest, their zone is what gave us fits tonight,” Meenachan said. “We played Lake the last time out and saw pretty much the same type of defensive set. East, however, is faster and more athletic and it really posed problems for us.

“As for the run that we were able to put together in the third period, we were coming out of a time out and Coach [Ron Moschella] told us to play harder and be smart,” she added. “That was exactly what we needed in order to create some distance from them at that point in the game.”

Five points by Meenachan in the opening period helped the Spartans (3-3) open a 7-4 lead, but a bucket and free throw Lesa Monet Oliver helped the Panthers (4-6) close with a 5-0 run and a 9-7 lead heading to the second quarter.

Eight points by Missy DeMarinis and five by Meenachan helped the Spartans to a 22-21 lead at halftime.

“Give East credit because their zone at the outset posed quite a few problems. It took until early in the second half for us to figure it out,” Moschella said. “Also, we had a hard time stopping their dribble penetration and when that happens, bad things usually happen.

“It seemed like we were really focused for our last game with Lake, but not tonight with East,” he added. “We played well enough to win tonight and keep learning a lot of lessons along the way.”

A bucket by Oliver 45 seconds after the half gave the Panthers a 23-22 lead, but it was the last lead of the game that they would enjoy. Marvelean Allen’s bucket in the lane at 2:38 of the final period pulled the Panthers to within three, but that was the closest they would get.

“We played them really close tonight, especially on their home court,” East coach Tanisha Franklin said. “I have the utmost respect for Coach Moschella and must give credit where credit is due. I refer to him as the Godfather of area girls basketball coaches for all of the good that he has done over the years.”