Vindy.com
Vindy.com Sports, Local & Regional Story

Published: Thursday, March 1, 2007

Unbeaten Devils survive big scare

Print Story
Email to Friend
Discuss this story


McDonald defeated East Canton by three points in a first-round contest.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

STRUTHERS — Having reached the district championship game the first three years of coach Jeff Rasile's tenure at McDonald High, many think this will be the year the Blue Devils advance to the regional level and possibly beyond.

A 20-0 regular season and Number 4 ranking in Division IV in the final Associated Press poll did nothing to change that thinking.

But the well-used cliché that everyone starts out with an 0-0 record come tournament time has some merit. East Canton, McDonald's opponent in Wednesday's sectional first-round game at the Struthers Fieldhouse, demonstrated that concept.

The Hornets came into the game with a 5-15 record, but gave the Blue Devils a scare before falling, 61-58.

McDonald faces Sebring (12-9) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in a sectional final.

"We knew coming in this would be a tough game," Rasile said. "East Canton has good size and their guard, Tyler Collins, is an excellent ballplayer. A couple of weeks ago, they had a double-digit lead against Windham in the fourth quarter. So we knew they could play."

Sentner recovering

Another factor for McDonald is the absence of forward Scott Sentner who injured his knee last week. Wednesday's game was just the second the Blue Devils have played without Sentner.

"Scott adds so many elements. He's 6-feet-3 and a good athlete," Rasile said. "He helps us defensively and in rebounding. He was averaging 12 points and eight rebounds a game.

"We used two guys, [Mike] Thomas and [Adam] Streb, in his place and they did OK," Rasile said. "Mikey was a sparkplug, especially at the end with some steals and layups."

Thomas, a sophomore, came up with two big steals down the stretch which did indeed provide a spark for the Devils who found themselves tied at 47-47 with 5:45 remaining despite controlling the game for the most part.

Steven Hughes nailed a 3-pointer off a pass from Andy Timko at the 5:23 mark to put McDonald ahead for good, 50-47.

The score was 50-49 when Thomas made his first big play, deflecting a pass which led to a mad scramble for the ball.

Eventually Timko wound up with the ball and was fouled. He made the first of two free throws, then Hughes rebounded the missed second shot. That possession led to an inside bucket by Bradley Hilton for a 53-49 lead with 3:28 left in the game.

Seven-point margin

On East Canton's ensuing possession, Thomas came up with another steal and fed Hilton for another hoop. He was fouled and then converted the three-point play for a 56-49 advantage with 2:59 showing on the clock.

From there, Hilton and Hughes both made a pair of free throws and Nick Rusinowski made one of two. East Canton sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer which made the finish seem closer than it was.

"I thought we did a poor job rebounding on the defensive end in the fourth quarter, but we were able to take care of the ball and we made the shots when we had to," Rasile said. "When you put seniors on the court that's what you expect. At this point it's all about moving on to the next round."

McDonald had its usual great scoring balance. Hughes ended up with 18 points, Hinton had 17, Timko 15 before fouling out, and Rusinowski 10.

Hinton led the way on the boards with eight rebounds, Timko added six assists, and Thomas had five assists and five steals.

First half

The Devils led 12-4 at one point in the first quarter, but the lead was just 18-15 at the end of the period. The Devils opened a 30-20 lead in period two, but led 32-29 at halftime. McDonald's biggest lead in the third quarter was five, the latest at 40-35, but East Canton pulled back to within two, 44-42, heading into the final frame.

The Blue Devils, who lost to archrival Mineral Ridge in last year's district championship, suffered 67-45 and 53-41 losses to Sebring the previous two seasons in the district final.

"Sebring beat us in the district championship a couple of times recently and they are a good team again this year," Rasile said. "We know they will run their offense and play good man-to-man help defense. We have a lot of work to do."

Thursday, March 1, 2007

McDonald defeated East Canton by three points in a first-round contest.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

STRUTHERS — Having reached the district championship game the first three years of coach Jeff Rasile's tenure at McDonald High, many think this will be the year the Blue Devils advance to the regional level and possibly beyond.

A 20-0 regular season and Number 4 ranking in Division IV in the final Associated Press poll did nothing to change that thinking.

But the well-used cliché that everyone starts out with an 0-0 record come tournament time has some merit. East Canton, McDonald's opponent in Wednesday's sectional first-round game at the Struthers Fieldhouse, demonstrated that concept.

The Hornets came into the game with a 5-15 record, but gave the Blue Devils a scare before falling, 61-58.

McDonald faces Sebring (12-9) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in a sectional final.

"We knew coming in this would be a tough game," Rasile said. "East Canton has good size and their guard, Tyler Collins, is an excellent ballplayer. A couple of weeks ago, they had a double-digit lead against Windham in the fourth quarter. So we knew they could play."

Sentner recovering

Another factor for McDonald is the absence of forward Scott Sentner who injured his knee last week. Wednesday's game was just the second the Blue Devils have played without Sentner.

"Scott adds so many elements. He's 6-feet-3 and a good athlete," Rasile said. "He helps us defensively and in rebounding. He was averaging 12 points and eight rebounds a game.

"We used two guys, [Mike] Thomas and [Adam] Streb, in his place and they did OK," Rasile said. "Mikey was a sparkplug, especially at the end with some steals and layups."

Thomas, a sophomore, came up with two big steals down the stretch which did indeed provide a spark for the Devils who found themselves tied at 47-47 with 5:45 remaining despite controlling the game for the most part.

Steven Hughes nailed a 3-pointer off a pass from Andy Timko at the 5:23 mark to put McDonald ahead for good, 50-47.

The score was 50-49 when Thomas made his first big play, deflecting a pass which led to a mad scramble for the ball.

Eventually Timko wound up with the ball and was fouled. He made the first of two free throws, then Hughes rebounded the missed second shot. That possession led to an inside bucket by Bradley Hilton for a 53-49 lead with 3:28 left in the game.

Seven-point margin

On East Canton's ensuing possession, Thomas came up with another steal and fed Hilton for another hoop. He was fouled and then converted the three-point play for a 56-49 advantage with 2:59 showing on the clock.

From there, Hilton and Hughes both made a pair of free throws and Nick Rusinowski made one of two. East Canton sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer which made the finish seem closer than it was.

"I thought we did a poor job rebounding on the defensive end in the fourth quarter, but we were able to take care of the ball and we made the shots when we had to," Rasile said. "When you put seniors on the court that's what you expect. At this point it's all about moving on to the next round."

McDonald had its usual great scoring balance. Hughes ended up with 18 points, Hinton had 17, Timko 15 before fouling out, and Rusinowski 10.

Hinton led the way on the boards with eight rebounds, Timko added six assists, and Thomas had five assists and five steals.

First half

The Devils led 12-4 at one point in the first quarter, but the lead was just 18-15 at the end of the period. The Devils opened a 30-20 lead in period two, but led 32-29 at halftime. McDonald's biggest lead in the third quarter was five, the latest at 40-35, but East Canton pulled back to within two, 44-42, heading into the final frame.

The Blue Devils, who lost to archrival Mineral Ridge in last year's district championship, suffered 67-45 and 53-41 losses to Sebring the previous two seasons in the district final.

"Sebring beat us in the district championship a couple of times recently and they are a good team again this year," Rasile said. "We know they will run their offense and play good man-to-man help defense. We have a lot of work to do."

Thursday, March 1, 2007
Having reached the district championship game the first three years of coach Jeff Rasile's tenure at McDonald High, many...

Print Story
Email to Friend
Discuss this story


Vindy.com Sports, Local & Regional Story



Featured Jobs
from vindyJOBS.com