Boardman girls off to fast start
By Eric Fortune
sports @vindy.com
BOARDMAN
The Boardman High girls basketball team has taken some lumps over the last few seasons.
In Friday’s opener, the Spartans looked as if better days are ahead, rolling over East, 77-32.
Four of the Spartans’ five starters scored in double digits. They set the tempo of the game early by pressing and being a step faster en route to a 23-2 advantage after one quarter.
“We have a solid rotation of seven kids,” Boardman coach Jeff Hammerton said. “We wanted to pressure them as much as we could and keep it going the entire time.
“I think our press after a couple of minutes wore them down and affected them,” Hammerton said. “We got the game going pretty quick.”
The Panthers made 11 turnovers in the first quarter and six field-goal attempts. The Spartans took 15.
“You never know how it is going to go in the first game,” Hammerton said. “I’m very fortunate to have six seniors, though they aren’t just six seniors playing their first year.
“They took their lumps the first two years as sophomores and juniors. They have a lot of experience right now and it’s paying off.”
The Spartans were led by Anna Patoray with 15 points, two assists, and four steals.
“Anna Patoray is a firecracker,” Hammerton said. “She goes after it and her motor goes a 110 miles per hour.
“She dedicated herself to basketball this offseason and it’s really showing,” Hammerton said. “She makes the rest of the team play to her level.”
For East, Aaliyah Brown led with seven points and La’Breah Hilton netted six.