Surging Raiders kept from crown

February 28, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

STRUTHERS

For the second time in four days, the South Range High School girls basketball team faced a large second-half deficit against a parochial team clad in green.

Both times, the Raiders rallied to wipe out the big leads. But unlike Wednesday’s victory over Ursuline, the Raiders were unable to complete the comeback on Saturday, falling 50-47 to Canton Central Catholic in the Division III district final at Struthers Fieldhouse.

At halftime, the Crusaders (20-6) led, 31-16.

“When they had that lead, we knew that they thought they were going to win it,” Raiders senior guard Morgan Czopur said. “[But] we knew we could come back.

“We had it in our hearts that we weren’t going to give up.”

Senior Lynnie Ritter said the goal was to slice the lead to seven before the fourth quarter.

“I’m so proud of the team,” Ritter said.

The rally didn’t kick in immediately. The Raiders (23-3) trailed 37-20 when Sammy Patrone’s 3-pointer ignited a 14-2 run to close the third quarter and reduce the Crusaders’ edge to 39-34. During that sequence, Patrone hit another 3-pointer while Czopur scored two buckets.

Czopur said the only adjustment they made for the turnaround was “just push it on defense.”

Their intensity continued to fluster the Crusaders. With 5:10 remaining, Czopur’s 3-pointer tied the game at 42.

South Range head coach Tony Matisi said his team finally making shots was the key.

“It put them on their heels, they weren’t so comfortable in the offensive end any more,” Matisi said.

The Crusaders, who missed nine free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter, scored the game’s next five points on foul shots. After Czopur scored a basket, Laura Krupar sank a free throw for a 48-44 lead.

Things became interesting when Ritter hit a baseline 3-pointer for a one-point game with 19.9 seconds remaining.

Emilee Flynn and Sarah Miller each made a free throw to increase the lead to three. With time winding down, Czopur’s final 3-point heave fell short, snapping the Raiders’ two-year district championship streak.

The finish was a far cry from the first half when Miller and Katy Farey blocked Raiders passes and disrupted open looks.

“Their arms were everywhere,” said Ritter who scored all eight of her team’s first-quarter points. “It seemed like they were [always] touching it.”

Matisi said the Crusaders’ tall players did well guarding outside.

“We couldn’t solve their length in the first half,” Matisi said. “They pushed us out so far defensively — we can’t start our offense at half court.”

“The length really surprised us. We knew they were tall, but man they cover some ground. It took us so long to figure out that middle.”

Hanna Risaliti led the Crusaders with 14 points and Miller scored 11. The game stayed within reach because the Crusaders made just 16 of 39 free throws.

Czopur finished with 17 points and Ritter 11. The Crusaders limited sophomore Maddie Durkin to three baskets, all in the third quarter. “What an example to the younger kids,” said Matisi of Czopur, a four-year starter. “Never missed a practice in the three years I was here. Always comes early, never wanted to be taken out in practice.” Matisi said. “I’ve never seen a work ethic like it. The motor never stopped.”

Ritter’s varsity career is over as she will focus on travel volleyball to prepare for her scholarship to Alderson Broaddus University, a Division II school in Philippi, W.Va.

On Monday, Czopur will be at softball practice getting ready for her final varsity season.