Second-chance points lead Lake past Boardman

March 10, 2017 at 12:06a.m.

ALLIANCE

Mike Spottleson scored 12 points while Jake Maranville and Josh Hutcherson each added 11 markers as second-seeded Uniontown Lake defeated third-seeded Boardman, 62-52, in the Division I district semifinals Thursday at Alliance High School.

The Blue Streaks advance to Saturday’s title tilt against the fourth-seeded Warren Harding.

This was the first time the Spartans had advanced to district play in 16 years. Their 19-5 record is their best mark in 30 seasons.

“On the way over here tonight, I believed that we’d do just enough in order to find a way to win,” Spartans coach Pat Birch said. “We knew that Lake was very aggressive on the boards and our message to the team all week was that we couldn’t allow many second-chance points if we expect to win.

“They had 13 second-chance points at the half and we had to play catch-up after that.”

Birch lauded the effort of his team and their play all season long.

“This team gave it their all every single game the entire year and as a staff, that’s all we can ask of them,” Birch said. “I honestly thought that we’d play the rubber game of the series with Warren Harding on Saturday night, so I wasn’t really prepared for my speech to the players after the game.

“We posted 19 wins and got to district for the first time in 16 years,” Birch said. “This team brought the student body and community together all season and that was great to see.

“We might not get a trophy or a banner, but this team did a lot that merits those two awards.”

In a nip-and-tuck first quarter, the Blue Streaks (18-6) got four points each from Hutcherson and Jake Schultz as they opened a 14-10 advantage.

A Mike Melewski bucket a little more than two minutes into the second frame cut the margin to 19-16, but a 12-7 run to close the half gave Lake a 31-23 lead at intermission.

“Our regular season was a product of our offseason as we put in plenty of time and effort in both areas,” Spartans sharpshooter Holden Lipke said. “Holding them to one shot was our focus and we just didn’t get that done tonight.

“We never quit and at no time during the game did we ever feel like we were out of it,” Lipke said. “It was a fun year and great to be part of the best season overall since I was born.”

A Maranville hoop at 4:32 of the third quarter gave the Blue Streaks a 41-38 margin, outscoring the Spartans 16-9 to forge a 47-32 lead.

Boardman’s John Ryan, who had a game high 17 points, scored seven points in the final frame and his bucket with 1:32 left cut the deficit to 55-47.

But that was the closest the Spartans could get the rest of the way.

“This was a special season for many reasons and the support from family, friends and our student body made this really memorable for me,” Ryan said. “The stands were filled with our classmates, everyone was yelling and that is what I will remember most.”

Melewski was the only other Spartans played in double figures with 10 points.

Lake head coach Tom McBride said his team’s Federal League schedule has prepared them for the tournament.

“Our bigs did a tremendous job tonight and got the job done on the boards,” McBride said. “We’ve had to battle a lot of bigs this year in Federal League play and that prepared us, especially tonight.”