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Lynn, Hunter power Fitch past Lakeview
By BROOKE MEENACHAN
CORTLAND
The Austintown Fitch girls basketball team came into Wednesday night’s contest against Lakeview focusing on forcing pressure, pushing the ball and playing with confidence.
The Falcons (15-5, 8-3 All-American Conference, Red Tier) did just that in a 69-49 conquest of the Bulldogs (10-11, 3-8 Red Tier).
“We’re constantly working on our defense in practice. It’s just communication with the team. When we have communication, we’re locked in,” said Fitch’s Natalie Lynn.
The Falcons were definitely locked in. They forced a dozen turnovers with their full-court pressure.
“We struggled with their press,” said Lakeview head coach Jason Senedak. “When they continued to press, we had a couple of instances where we could have done some better things, but regardless they did what they needed to do. At the same time, we’re better than that handling pressure.”
The Bulldogs led only briefly — peaking at 9-4 in the first quarter — and the Falcons held them to just 19 points in the first half.
“We’re in good physical shape, so we have to stick with what we’re good at and that’s using our length, using our size, pressuring teams and that turns into transition offense,” said Fitch head coach Dan Schnurrenberger. “Our job is to get stops and go score the basket.”
The Falcons’ defensive efforts translated on the offensive side.
Fitch had a 57-31 lead going into the final quarter, but Sabria Hunter fouled out with five minutes remaining and Lakeview went on a 10-2 run to make things a little interesting.
The Bulldogs trailed 59-41 with 4:20 left in the game, but Fitch found its offensive rhythm again.
Lynn led all scorers with 21 points, while Hunter chipped in 19.
“I just concentrate on my teammates and getting the ball and finding the spots to get it on the backboard,” Lynn said.
Said Schnurrenberger: “When those girls stay focused, good things happen. They both practice very hard. When you take care of business, good things happen. They work hard and get what they deserve.”
While the Falcons had no trouble giving the pressure, they still had a tough time handling it.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on our defensive effort,” Senedak said. “hey definitely pushed. They continue to work hard and I don’ think their defensive effort slipped no matter what defense we ran.”
Laeview also forced 13 turnovers, struggled on offense.
The Bulldogs were without their leading scorer, Annie Pavlansky, who was sidelined with a boot on her leg, making it tough on Lakeview to produce some offense.
“We’re exceptionally different without her,” Senedak said. “That’s a compliment to her, but at the same time, the rest of our young ladies have no desire to just lay down.”
Lindsay Carnahan and Jensen Silbaugh tried to make up the difference, scoring 14 and 10 points for Lakeview, but Pavlansky’s role was too much of a gap to fill.
However, the senior didn’t shy away from continuing that leadership role from the bench.
“She’s always the consummate cheerleader, always saying little tweaks here and there to individuals and the team,” Senedak said. “She even directs some of the things out on the floor and what she sees.”
There was no word on when Pavlansky — who has missed the last several games — will return for the Bulldogs.