Boardman ends losing streak with home win vs. Howland

January 4, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

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Boardman entered Saturday’s game with Howland looking to end a season-high three-game losing streak while starting the New Year’s portion of their schedule on a positive note.

Playing a complete game at both ends of the court against the Tigers ensured that goal.

Brian Fryda’s 11 points led three Spartans in double figures as Boardman (3-5, 2-3) stopped Howland, 67-55 in All-American Conference, Red Tier action.

“After losing three straight to end 2014, we wanted to make sure that we started out 2015 on a positive note. Our goal was to secure all rebounds at both ends of the court, contest their shots and limit all second chance opportunities,” Fryda said. “They trapped and did some full-court pressure, but we able to adjust and our defense came up big after a sluggish start.”

The Tigers (1-6, 1-4) raced to the early 8-1 advantage, courtesy of Jordan Lanier’s four points and two each by Luciano Romeo and Nathan Leventis.

Boardman then went on a 7-0 run, keyed by Fryda’s four points and a bucket from beyond the arc by Holden Lipke to forge an 8-8 tie at the 1:45 mark.

Scoring 12 of the final 14 points in the quarter, the Spartans were able to build a 13-10 margin after the first eight minutes of play.

A bucket by Boardman’s Alex Duda at 4:44 of the second frame extended the Spartans’ lead to 18-12 as they proceeded to outscore Howland 12-7 in the period for a 25-17 halftime margin.

“Earlier in the year we were taking more one-pass shots, but tonight we looked to attack the rim more with the hopes of getting more lay-ups,” Duda said. “We played an excellent game defensively and that was a big reason we were able to start off the New Year 1-0.”

Eight points by Howland’s Victor Williams and seven more by Lanier after the intermission helped the Tigers pull to within six points at 39-33 with eight minutes remaining.

But Howland got no closer. Boardman hit two triples, added three conventional three-point plays and outscored the Tigers 28-22 in the final quarter.

“Our effort was definitely there; in fact our players have given their heart and legs every time out this season,” Howland coach Jason Lee said. “We’re a young team and it’s tough to stay focused for more than three minutes, but that’s Basketball 101 and that comes with age and experience. Even our seniors are young basketball-wise.

“When you lose 75 percent of your scoring from a season ago you expect to experience growing pains. We just need to finish mentally what our bodies want us to accomplish.”

Spartans coach Pat Birch, while pleased with Saturday’s outcome, still needs to address his team’s slow starts.

“We talked after the game about needing to start out better and not being as sluggish, something that we have done multiple times this season,” he said. “After falling behind 8-1 early, the critical point in the game for us was being able to end the quarter on a 12-2 run for a 13-10 lead. We emphasize moving the ball side-to-side and getting reversals, not settling for quick shots and they’re starting to buy into that philosophy.”

Marcus Smith and Gannon Murray each had 10 points for Boardman. Lanier led Howland with 17, Romeo had 11 and Williams added 10.