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Fitch ousts Boardman in D1 tournament
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Boardman’s Jada Redd closely guards Fitch’s Megan Sefcik during their Division I sectional basketball game Monday at Fitch High School in Austintown. Sefcik and teammate Cassie Custer each scored 19 points for the Falcons, who pulled past the Spartans, 65-62.
Closing run helps Falcons pull past Boardman
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
The Boardman Spartans were the only team to defeat the Austintown Fitch girls during the regular season.
On Monday, the Falcons made sure Boardman didn’t stand in their way of a successful tournament start.
Cassie Custer and Megan Sefcik each scored 19 points and the host Falcons closed the game on a 12-4 run to win 65-62 in a Division I sectional opener.
“It’s a lot different when you are playing in your own house,” Custer said. “It’s important to have those first two games at your site, if at all possible.
“That being said, the enthusiasm on both sides tonight was absolutely electric and lots of fun. The key was that we played together — a commitment that we made to each other for the postseason.”
The Falcons (21-1) defeated Boardman in their first meeting, 48-46, on Nov. 25 while the Spartans won at home, 52-49, on Jan. 27.
Boardman’s win ended Fitch’s 16-game win streak.
“Boardman always brings their best against us and it remains today a great rivalry, one that dates back to the days of the old Steel Valley Conference,” Fitch coach Stacie Cepin said. “We made some key stops when we needed to, executed some big plays when the game was tight and also made some very important free throws the entire game.
“I am so happy that the state went to this format. It’s great for the game and you witnessed a tremendous atmosphere tonight. The fact that we now get to host another game is an added bonus.”
Sefcik scored seven of her 19 points in the first quarter, offsetting seven points by Boardman’s Kelly Tomcsanyi as the Falcons built a 15-14 advantage.
Tomcsanyi finished with a game-high 25 points.
Seven points by Custer in the second quarter then helped the Falcons to a 27-26 edge at intermission.
A bucket by Anna Patoray at 5:18 of the third quarter gave Boardman (8-15) its largest lead, 34-29.
The Falcons then went on an 11-0 run to take a 40-34 lead. They led 49-43 after three quarters.
The Spartans used a 9-2 run at the outset of the final period to forge a 56-53 advantage with 3:55 left.
Sefcik, who made all 12 of her free throws, keyed a 12-4 run by canning six consecutive charity tosses despite picking up her fourth foul after halftime.
“I’m an aggressive player but when you pick up your fourth foul and there is still plenty of time remaining, you have to play smarter,” Sefcik said. “To win against a tough Boardman team in front of the hometown crowd was also very special.”
The Falcons improved to 11-0 at home.
“We played really hard and what an improvement we made as a team since our opening game back in November,” Boardman coach Jeff Hammerton said. “One little thing seems to cost us and tonight it was free throws.
“Kelly Tomcsanyi is an offensive weapon who beats most girls on the dribble and she played really well tonight. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our student body and fans for all of their support. I love this format and hope that it continues for years to come.”
The Falcons will host Canfield in a sectional final on Thursday at 7 p.m.