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South Range girls rebound from first defeat
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
The wish at the beginning of the season for South Range head coach Tony Matisi was for his Raiders to escape a challenging pre-Christmas schedule unscathed.
After Saturday’s 69-46 victory over the Lakeview girls basketball team, his wish became reality with the impending break definitely well-deserved.
Freshmen Izzy Lamparty scored 22 points and Dani Vuletich 18 as the Raiders captured their eighth win in nine outings.
The Raiders reeled off seven straight wins to start their season, including beating Carrollton at home, 54-51. South Range suffered its only loss on Wednesday when Carrollton returned the favor, 56-42.
For Lamparty, getting back on the winning track was the main goal.
“I felt like we had a point to prove, that we can come back after a loss,” she said. “Our defense was exceptional.”
Lakeview (4-6) guard Lindsay Carnahan scored a team-high 19 points and Kent State recruit Annie Pavlansky added 15.
But they were held in check by the Raiders in the second half as they combined for just 11 points after intermission.
Lakeview head coach Jason Senedak said his Bulldogs had a hard time finding their rhythm.
“An old coach of mine once pulled me aside and [said] you can’t teach height,” Senedak said. “Annie Pavlansky and Lindsay Carnahan are four-year performers, great kids and the senior leaders of our team.
“We do have some young players when it comes to varsity experience and with that comes growing pains,” Senedak said. “This is a hard working group and we will continue to work hard moving forward.”
South Range (8-1) opened the early 13-6 lead. With Bri Modic canning two of her three triples in the opening period, the Raiders raced to a 20-13 advantage.
Six points each from Lamparty and Maddie Durkin in the second quarter staked the Raiders to a 36-28 lead.
Lamparty and Vuletich combined for 16 points after the break and South Range opened a 54-36 lead. Vuletich scored eight of her 18 points in the final quarter.
Playing a complete game was Matisi’s challenge to his team, something that they had failed to do in their previous eight contests despite winning seven.
“We start three freshman when you add Bree Kohler to both Izzy and Dani and all three have done a tremendous job,” Matisi said. “We won all four quarters today and that’s the first time that we have done that all season.
“We’ve been struggling in that area, so I am pleased with that portion of our game.”
Playing two games next week at Teay’s Valley High School in Columbus will tell Matisi a lot about his team.
“We’re playing Division I and II schools and competing, so a game like today only helps to get us ready for next week,” Matisi said. “I was really pleased with our overall effort.”