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Thomas ignites Mooney for road win
AUSTINTOWN
When the undisputed leader of the Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team, Andrew Armstrong, had to take a seat on the bench with two fouls less than five minutes into Tuesday’s game at Austintown Fitch, somebody had to step up.
Enter Cardinals junior Trell Thomas. The guard used his aggressiveness and ability to get to the rim to score 13 of his game-high 20 points in the second quarter to lift Cardinal Mooney to a 61-41 win over the Falcons.
With Armstrong, the Cardinals’ leading scorer and rebounder in foul trouble for much of the evening, Thomas took control of the game and made things difficult for Falcons’ defenders.
“Coach told me just to play my game and work hard out there,” said Thomas, who shot 50 percent (8 of 16) for the night.
“I felt like I needed to elevate my game. Army’s [Armstrong] usually our leading scorer, so me and Ton [Antonio Bruno] just needed to play our game and work as a team.”
Bruno chipped in with 17 points for the Cardinals (13-7), who proved on Tuesday they can win without their big man down low.
“If you would’ve told me Armstrong would’ve had two fouls quickly, I would’ve said ‘Oh that’s great,’” said Falcons coach Brian Beany. “That was the key — to get him out quickly, because he’s an animal in there.
“And we did — and he didn’t play a lot — we just didn’t ... I don’t know.”
Senior Jake Bullen led the Falcons (12-9, 6-6 AAC Red) with 14 points and hit the only 3-pointer of the night for Fitch, which went 1 of 10 from beyond the arc. Anthony Pangio scored 11 points and had a game-high eight rebounds.
Beany — who was assessed a technical in the third quarter for arguing a foul call — expressed disappointment for his seniors, who went out with a loss on Senior Night. He also called Tuesday his team’s worst defensive performance of the year.
“It was bad,” Beany said. “It was just bad. I don’t know the reason for it.”
The Cardinals shot 58 percent (22 of 38) from the floor and had only one turnover in the opening half. They finished with eight, but also had four steals.
Mooney head coach Brian Danilov was pleased with the challenges his team faced as they prepare for a Division II tournament run.
“I liked how we got in some foul difficulties and other guys came in and played a great role for long periods of time,” Danilov said. “I mean Army’s got fouls, [Nick] Braydich’s got fouls, [Jonny] Durkin got in foul trouble.
“[Armstrong] didn’t play very much and we got a good win.”
When the 6-foot-2 junior was in the game, he took control of the glass, pulling down seven boards to lead the team. Thomas also had six rebounds to go along with his 20 points.
“It was pretty nice,” Thomas said of getting an opportunity to put on a performance without his co-star out there.
“We have our games. Some days I’m off, some days [Armstrong]’s off.
“We’re all feeling good right now.”