ANDERSON LEADS BOARDMAN OVER IRISH

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- It was a nerve-wracking battle at the Cafaro Gymnasium on Tuesday night. The 19-1 Boardman Spartans boys basketball team were given a run for their money by the 9-11 Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish. 

The Fighting Irish came up just short against Boardman, at a final score of 62-60. Leading the way for Boardman was Derrick Anderson. Anderson scored a phenomenal 38 points, 61% of the team’s points. In the third quarter, as the Fighting Irish surged ahead of the near-perfect Boardman, Anderson took matters into his own hands. Anderson visited the free-throw line three times, making all six shots, while also putting the Fighting Irish in foul trouble. In the final seconds, Anderson launched a three-pointer in from the bench area, double-teamed, and nailed the shot. Anderson’s shot swung the momentum back to Boardman and were able to pull away with the victory. 

It was a heartbreaker for the Irish, who were celebrating senior night. The team was led by senior Daysean Harris, who dropped 18 points. Harris fought hard in the final seconds, looking for a game-tying shot, but his attempts were unsuccessful. 

The Irish were 25 of 53 from the field, while Boardman was 19 of 38. Most importantly, once again, it was free-throw shooting. Boardman was a stellar 18 of 22, while the Irish were 5 of 12. The Irish fall to 9-12, with their next matchup coming on the road against the Massillon Washington Tigers. Boardman, on the other hand, improves to a stunning 20-1 and will look to get their second win of the season against the Austintown Fitch Falcons next.

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s Dom Joseph