43
Moschella joins 700 Club
By Dan Hiner
mineral ridge
For Columbiana girls basketball coach Ron Moschella, Saturday’s game at Mineral Ridge High School was just like any other. He aggressively coached his players, stressed execution and expected the team to perform.
But Columbiana’s 70-32 win over the Rams marked an important milestone in Moschella’s coaching career.
It was his 700th career victory.
“It’s an honor to be able to reach that goal, but there was a lot of players that went through my mind as I was sitting there during the game,” Moshella said. “All the great players that started with me in 1981 and all the great teams I had ... it’s just really fun to be with the kids.”
Moschella has coached since 1978 when he became an assistant coach for the Boardman High School girls basketball team.
He later received the title of head coach in 1981 and took the Spartans to 21 conference titles — winning 14 district titles. Twice, the Spartans went to state.
He took over the Clippers in 2012 and spent two seasons as the boys and girls basketball head coaches. Moschella resigned as the boys basketball coach in January 2016.
“It’s more fun to be with the kids than to win 700 but it’s an honor,” he said. “Girls at Columbiana picked up where Boardman left off. They’ve won 20 games in five years and this is our sixth [together]. “They’ve been to district, they won the league four times out of five. They’re great kids and they work hard.”
Columbiana sophomore Kayla Muslovski said the players were unaware of the milestone, but were told during halftime.
“It’s the greatest feeling, he’s an amazing coach,” Muslovski said. “He knows what he’s talking about and he’s right about almost everything. Knowing that he’s had that many wins, it makes you feel good knowing you have a coach behind you like that.”
Columbiana (4-0) dominated the game from the opening tip. The Clippers had a 28-4 lead with three minutes left to play in the second quarter.
Mineral Ridge (1-3) had trouble holding onto the ball and converting from the free throw line. The Rams committed 23 turnovers, 19 in the first half.
The Rams started scoring and only committed four turnovers in the second half, but the damage was done.
Columbiana didn’t let up in the third quarter. Muslovski scored 11 of her game-high 21 points in the third as the Clippers outscored the Rams 22-10.
Mineral Ridge head coach Matthew Cluse said his players needed to limit mistakes and capitalize on scoring chances.
“We didn’t play well tonight,” Cluse said. “Did shoot well, didn’t shoot free throws well, didn’t make [jumpers] well, didn’t get to our spots.
“We haven’t played well on Saturday games, lack of energy — I don’t know what it is. We didn’t show up, that’s it.”
Alexa Harkins was the Rams’ leading scorer with eight points and five rebounds.
Moschella said he can remember every player he’s coached over his 36-year career because they’re part of his success.
“Thirty years has gone by like that, a snapshot,” Moschella said. “I just enjoy being with the kids and hopefully the kids enjoy being with me. We’ve enjoyed the winning tradition we’ve established at Columbiana.”