CHANEY HOLDS OFF IRISH COMEBACK

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Coming into this game, many thought that the Ursuline Irish were once again going to have a big night and continue this long winning streak as they just came off of one of the best games of the year with that buzzer against East.  However, they would have to get past the Chaney Cowboys who came in with a record of four and five, with a recent loss to Massilon Jackson 66-63 as coach Mcgaughy and his team were looking to go back to an even .500.  

The first few minutes of the first quarter saw the Cowboys and the Irish play mostly defensive ball before chaney for the first points of the game.  Ursuline would answer back with points of their own, but they would then struggle with turning the ball over as Chaney took advantage and led big at the end of the first quarter 26-9.  The same could have been said then for the second quarter as senior forward Quincy Jones had six points, while senior guards Cameron Lawrence got four points in total.  Clive Wilson also had two in the second as the Cowboys were pulling off the upset and continuing the streak against the Irish, up 38-18 at the half.  In the games that both have played in basketball since 2018, the Irish have not won against the Cowboys, but were hoping to limit the turnovers and get their 10th win of the season and their first against Chaney.

In the second half, we saw the Irish team that we have been seeing all season long as the pressure started to come a bit and Ursuline was closing in thanks to six points by Terrance Pankey and Vince Flauto.  The lead was now 52-33 at the end of the third in what was a comfortable lead soon turned into a game.  Both teams were physical in the second half and the Irish were able to cut it down to five thanks to a technical foul.  However in the end, it was too little too late as the Cowboys were riding on a lead the whole time and came away with the 67-62 victory but lost one of their players late in senior Sharrod Taylor who left the game with a lower body injury. 

Chaney Stats 

Sharrod Taylor finished with seven field goals inside the paint, a three pointer, 5-8 on free throws and 22 points.  Cameron Lawrence finished with 17 points, five two’s, one three and went 4-6 on free throws.  Clive Wilson had three field goals inside the paint and finished with eight points.  Josiah Gonzalez finished with seven points, Quincy Jones had six, Davinci McDowell had three and Jason Hewlett had two.  

Ursuline Stats 

Terrance Pankey finished with 15 points, having seven made field goals inside the paint and had a free throw.  Vince Flauto made four three’s and was a perfect two for two on free throws, finishing with 14 points.  Brady Shannon had 11 points, making three field goals inside the paint while shooting five for six on free throws.  Jakylan Irving had eight points, DeMarcus McElroy had seven points, while Will Burney, Buzzer beater star Tyler Beck and Jaden Payne combined for seven points.  

Up Next 

Chaney (5-5) will face Cardinal Mooney (8-2) at home Friday Night at 7pm.  Ursuline (9-5) may have lost their winning streak but as of now, all records are off the tables as one of the best rivalries in NorthEast Ohio and the Mahoning County comes to town when the Irish take on the rival Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (8-2) at the Cafaro Gymnasium/Lyden Family Court Thursday at 7pm! 

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien