Schmidt’s putback lifts Struthers past Fitch

January 7, 2012 at 12:10a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

While Jake Jacubec was enjoying his typical offensive night for the Struthers High boys basketball team, Dylan Schmidt struggled with foul trouble that kept him sidelined a good portion of the second half.

That is, until the game’s final moments.

Jacubec saw his final shot of the game fall just off the rim with two seconds remaining, then watched as Schmidt tossed the rebound back up and in as the Wildcats defeated the Fitch, 60-58, in All-American Conference American Division action Friday at the Falcon Gymnasium.

“The final play was designed to go to Jake [Jacubec] and everyone else was supposed to be around the bucket for the rebound if it came off the rim,” Schmidt said. “When I saw the ball come off of the iron, I looked up at the clock and just flipped it back up. I was just thankful that the ball went in and we were able to hold on for the victory.”

The Falcons’ Will Mahone scored six of his team-high 18 points in the opening period, offsetting Jacubec’s seven markers as the Falcons raced to the early 11-9 advantage.

Jacubec was 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the second period, but the Falcons’ Dan Chepke notched five of his 18 points in the second quarter as Fitch forged a 22-21 halftime advantage.

Struthers’ Jordan Sapp then scored six of his 11 points after the intermission and when Jacubec added five more on a triple and bucket in the paint as the Wildcats opened a 41-40 advantage with eight minutes remaining.

“Jake [Jacubec] really is a special player,” Struthers coach Joe Savko said. “He did one heckuva job for us tonight. Fitch has some great athletes and it’s really tough for a team to score on good athletes.

“We just tried to capitalize on the opportunities when they were presented to us, having to work hard for everything the entire night.”

Jacubec scored 12 points in the final period and his last bucket at the 2:03 mark pulled the Wildcats even at 58-58.

A five-second call on the Falcons (3-5, 2-2) with under 30 seconds to play gave the ball back to the Wildcats, setting up Schmidt’s shot. Fitch’s last-second inbound pass was then stolen by Struthers as it sealed its sixth consecutive victory while improving to 4-1 in five road contests.

“This one really hurts because our kids played so hard,” Fitch coach Brian Beany said. “They did everything that we asked them to do tonight and then some. We got a tough bounce in the end and yes it’s a loss, but we’re right there.

“We had a couple of breakdowns tonight, but overall everyone played with the intensity that is expected of them. We just need to keep believing.”