Ursuline ‘holds up’ against state powerhouse

February 12, 2012 at 12:05a.m.

Youngstown

The Ursuline High School girls basketball team started strong against a three-time defending state champion from a larger division on Saturday.

But Hathaway Brown (14-5) played even stronger in the second half to defeat the Fighting Irish, 51-37.

“It was a tough ball game,” said Ursuline (12-7) coach Courtney Davidson. “But I think we did our job and held up in the game.”

Hathaway Brown, located in Shaker Heights, has won the last three Division II state titles.

Ursuline out-played Hathaway Brown at the start of the game. Courtney Powell, a senior, sank a 3-pointer to start the game. Auriella Irizarry, a senior, followed with a field goal to give Ursuline a 5-0 lead.

At the end of the first quarter, Ursuline led 12-10. The Blazers tied the score 20-20 in the final moments of the first half.

But Hathaway Brown took over in the third quarter, outscoring Ursuline 13-4 at the outset. The Blazers led 35-26 with eight minutes to play.

The Irish cut Hathaway Brown’s lead to five points, 42-37. But the Blazers scored the game’s final nine points, including seven at the free-throw line.

“To be the best, you need to play the best,” said Davidson, who noted the Irish recently played defending Div. I state runner-up Canton McKinley. “Hopefully, playing these teams prepares us for our tournament in Division III.

“I think we’re playing well. I think we played a great game against a much bigger team.”

Powell, who scored 13 points to lead the Irish, said the game was a learning experience.

“Even though we didn’t come out with a ‘W’, we played hard, we finished hard.”

Hathaway Brown’s roster includes Stephanie Poland, a 6-foot-4 junior who scored 13 points against the Irish. The game’s scoring leader was Vanessa Smith, a junior who stands 6-1 and tallied 15 points.

Nia Marshall, a 6-0 junior, netted eight points for the Blazers.

Powell, at 6-2, was Ursuline’s only 6-footer in the game.

The Irish should not be taken lightly, despite the loss, said Hathaway Brown coach Paul Barlow.

“This is a very good basketball team. I think they’re going to be right there knocking on the door to go to Columbus in Division III, so we feel good about getting out of here with a win.”