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Columbiana girls edge Western Reserve
Columbiana guard bounces back
from foul trouble in second half
By Ryan Buck
BERLIN CENTER
Columbiana senior point guard Baylie Mook’s Thursday evening began with a seat at the end of her team’s bench, along with a stern and animated lecture from fire-breathing coach Ron Moschella.
It ended with 18 points, 15 in the second half, a handful of game-winning plays, and a hug and a kiss on the cheek for the man who personifies tough love.
The Clippers (3-0) captured an emotional 62-59 victory over Inter Tri-County League rival Western Reserve, thanks in large part to Mook’s second-half performance and an offensive show that matched Blue Devils star Aleah Hughes’ 33 points.
“Three fouls,” said Moschella,whose fiery personality was matched only by his undeniable coaching prowess Thursday. “They were in the first two minutes [of the game]! I couldn’t afford to play her.
“I told her, ‘Use your head.’ She did use her head. We need her and she’s our catalyst.”
Mook drilled her first shot attempt of the second half to get the momentum started and maintain a halftime lead into the latter stages.
“Sitting on the bench was not fun,” Mook said. “That had my confidence down, but that shot really got me going and help. We were ready to go.”
With two minutes remaining in the game, Mook — playing with four fouls — stepped to the free-throw line with her team ahead 59-57 after a well-played, back-and-forth second half.
Her first attempt fell true. Her second caromed off the back iron, kissed the backboard and fell to the right of the basket.
In swooped Mook, all of 5-foot-5 on a good day, to win the rebound and make the put-back for a 61-57 Columbiana lead.
Lauren Falasca’s basket at the 1:45 mark cut Columbiana’s lead to two before Rachel Maslach’s game-tying effort literally orbited the rim twice before falling away on the Blue Devils’ next possession.
The Clippers spread the floor in the closing minute in a four-corners strategy before Mook was fouled with 24 seconds left.
With her team in the double-bonus, she again sank the first free-throw attempt. The second missed, but teammate Lauren Schlueter somehow gained control of the rebound amongst a taller opposing lineup and passed out of a double team to Mook.
“Schlueter’s a fighter,” Moschella said.
Mook had two more free-throw attempts to put the game out of reach, but missed the pair.
Western Reserve raced downcourt for another potential game-tying shot, but Tory White’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed.
“Call it mental lapses or being out-hustled,” said Western Reserve coach Steve Miller. “Call it what you want, those [offensive rebounds] were huge.
“It’s not like these two teams don’t know each other. It’s not like these two teams won’t see each other again.
“When these two teams play each other, you should want to come and watch. Both teams play extremely hard. Both teams make runs. I hate losing more than anything else in the world, but it was still a great game.”
Hughes was dominant throughout the game as the Reserve center powered her way inside, displayed an impressive short jump shot and knocked down two 3-pointers.
But it was the performance of the shorter, but quicker, Clippers that won the day. Standout Emily Witmer battled Hughes inside and came away with 23 points of her own and freshman Alexis Cross scored 11 points to buoy the backcourt while Mook was on the bench.
“That was a big win for us,” Moschella said.