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Columbiana stars enjoy new friendships
By Tom Williams
LISBON
Southern’s Jake Boyle did his best to close the 26th annual Columbiana County Scholarship Basketball Classic with a slam.
Three times in the final 75 seconds, the Indians’ post player came close to dunking for the Blue team.
But it was Wellsville’s Jalen DeSarro on the Red squad who pulled off a dunk in the final seconds of his team’s 80-68 victory on Tuesday at Lisbon High.
And it was his Tigers teammate Michael Johnston who stole the show with solid outside shooting, scoring 28 points including three 3-pointers to earn MVP status for Red.
“It was a blast, I had fun,” Johnston said. “I like playing with different players from different schools. There’s more talent on the floor.”
Johnston was on fire early, scoring 14 points in each half.
“I was comfortable,” Johnston said. “Every time you hit your first shot, it gives you confidence for the rest of the game.”
Also scoring in double figures for the Red team were DeSarro with 12 and Salem’s Jake Madison and Taylor Fredrickson with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Boyle said he waited too long to go for the dunk.
“Too tired at the end,” said Boyle who led the Blue squad with 15 points, seven rebounds and a block. “The all-star game is great — it doesn’t get much better than getting a chance to play with those you played against for so long.”
Boyle wasn’t surprised to see Johnston take charge — he’s played AAU ball with DeSarro and Johnston over the years.
“That’s what he is — a scorer,” said Boyle.
Columbiana’s Luke Barker, whose 13 points included three 3-pointers, was selected MVP for the Blue squad. Also scoring in double figures for Blue were East Liverpool’s Jason Dickey with 11 and Heartland Christian’s Jonathan Osborn with 10.
In the girls game, Leetonia’s Clarissa Perkins was selected the MVP after her Blue team’s 58-51 victory.
“I haven’t touched a basketball since our last tournament game,” said Perkins who is ready for track season. “I tried, but I was definitely sucking wind. Playing with all those girls, it was just so much fun.
“At first, I was nervous but everybody on the team was so outgoing and we bonded,” Perkins said.
Perkins scored 11 points and made four rebounds while East Liverpool’s Kristen Cowart led the Blue with 13 points and 12 points.
The Blue squad had a double-digit lead most of the game until the Red team posted a 10-0 run late to reduce the score to 52-51.
In the final seconds, Blue pulled away with free throws by Lisbon’s Anna Dunn and Katie Snoddy followed by United’s Maggie Sell’s steal and long 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Salem’s Anna Seguin led the Red team with 16 points to earn MVP.
“It was an amazing experience and I’m very grateful for the scholarship,” Seguin said, “I made a whole bunch of friends tonight.”
Seguin was one of 24 seniors presented with $500 scholarships by the Columbiana County Coaches Association, as were Cowart, Sell, Perkins, Snoddy, Boyle and Barker.
Also receiving scholarships were: Emily Corll, Brian Orr, Cody Dickens and Carter Hill, Crestview; Hayley Goist, Columbiana; Michelle DeBrae and Brian French, Lisbon; Brooke Duffy, Adam Robb and Joel Gedeon, East Palestine; Ashley Russell and Trey Griffith, Southern; Stephanie Griffith, Heartland Christian; Lange Carter, United; Ryan Wolfgang, Salem; and Jared Pirl and Tyler Schultz, Beaver Local.