Southeast ousts Howland for title match

February 28, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

The Southeast High School girls basketball team made history on Monday while the Howland program closed the books on one fabulous career.

In the Division II district semifinal game at Fitch High School, the Pirates (21-3) raced out to a 15-point lead in the second quarter, then watched Sara Price power the Tigers back into the contest.

Early in the fourth quarter, Price scored a basket to slice the deficit to two, but the Pirates regrouped for a 61-53 victory that advances them to their first district title contest at Fitch,

Southeast will play West Branch (23-2) for a regional berth at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“The Pirates have never been in a district final in Austintown,” head coach Melinda Furr said. “It’s really special and the fact we’re playing the green team [adds] a whole another level of excitement.”

Furr said two former Pirates — Natalie Zuchowski and Emma Rankin — transferred to West Branch two summers ago.

“You better get here early because it’s going to be sold out,” Furr said.

In her final game, Price, Howland’s all-time leading scorer, scored 31 points and made six rebounds and three blocks.

Asked if he’ll miss coaching Price, John Diehl laughed.

“All-time leading scorer by about 400 points,” Diehl said. “She’s had a great year, she’s been a real good leader.”

The pesky Pirates hounded the Tigers (19-6) into 17 first-half turnovers. The Pirates led 31-16 before the Tigers closed the half on a 7-2 run.

“At halftime, I told everybody, ‘Let’s not play like it’s our last game, let’s go out and play hard,’ ” Price said. “I said that, ‘Right now, our attitude shows we don’t want to play.’ ” Her message was received. The Tigers won the quarter, 18-15, to slice the deficit 48-41.

After MacKenzie Maze hit a 3-pointer, Price scored to make it 48-46.

But the Pirates responded as Leann James scored a basket and Hannah Schill followed with a 3-pointer.

“We all picked it up,” Price said of the surge. “But [down the stretch], every time we scored, they came back every time.”

Price will play for Ball State and major in early childhood education.

Maze finished with seven points while Kayla Clark and Alex Ochman each had six.

Andrea Radcliff led the Pirates with 17 points and five rebounds while Danielle Norquest had 15 and Schill 13.