ALLIANCE OPENS UP HOLIDAY CLASSIC WITH WIN

 CANFIELD OH- In the first game of the fourth annual South Range Holiday Tournament for girls basketball, a couple of non-YSN teams squared off in the opening bout. With The Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) representative in The Alliance Aviators matching up with The Nordonia Knights. 

The first half score was reflectant of the defense played by Alliance, followed up with some quality passing in their fastbreak opportunities to convert baskets. Leading by 18 points at halftime over Nordonia, as a lid on the bucket, paired with good Aviator defense, held The Knights to just 10 first half points. Ella Smith started Alliance off on the right tempo, scoring 9 of The Aviators 28 first half points. 

The second half looked to be much of the same, that is, until the fourth quarter. As Nordonia opened up by hitting three consecutive 3-Point shots, to cut the once 20 point plus, Alliance lead. Haydn Paul and Taylor Root attempted to lead the comeback for The Knights, but The Aviators were able to take off on offense once again in the closing moments.

With X’Zariah Fanin being a force on the inside for Alliance, dominating in both the interior defense and the rebounding department. However, The Player of the Game went to Jayla Callock who scored 13 total points in the game, with a majority of those coming in the second half to help lead The Aviators to their fourth victory of the season. Both teams will be in action for the holiday tournament again on Thursday, December 29th. Live streams of the contests can be found at Ysnlive.com!

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell