COWBOYS HAVE ENOUGH TO GET PAST POLAND

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –

Coming into the night, the Poland Bulldogs (14-7)held a 8-1 series lead over the Chaney Cowboys (14-7) since 2006, with the Cowboys first victory coming over the Bulldogs in last year’s district final. While Chaney controlled from the start of last season’s matchup, Poland came into the night looking to make things closer this time around.

Both teams got off to a good start from beyond the arc in the first quarter, sinking a combined five shots from deep, shooting 56% from three. While this matchup saw hot starts from long range, the same success did not carry over to the charity stripe, going 1-4 from the line.

A hard fought first quarter saw Chaney hold a four-point lead heading into the second, that would later by expanded all the way to nine with under three minutes to play in the half. Looking to close the gap before break, Poland star’s Colosimoand Dedo combined for the last seven points of the half, bringing the Dawgs within a score.

While Poland brought the intensity to end our first half of play, the Bulldogs were not able to carry it over to start the third. Chaney jumped on Poland to expand their lead out to nine once again, thanks to a 7-0 run courtesy of freshman, Matthew Jones.

The Bulldogs would end the third trailing by five but would be outscored fourteen to eight in the final period. Clive Wilson led the way for Chaney in the fourth with six, giving the Cowboys their second straight victory over Poland, 57-46.

CHANEY:

Clive Wilson – 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks

Josiah Gonzalez – 11 points, 3 assists

Matt Jones – 8 points, 4 rebounds

POLAND:

Ross Dedo – 20 points, 5 rebounds,

Christian Colosimo – 13 points, 3 rebounds

Chaney – Now winners of their third straight, the Chaney Cowboys will travel West to take on the Vikings of North Canton Hoover (15-5). Hoover is a perennial powerhouse in the boys’ basketballscene and will provide a tough road test for the Showtime Cowboys, tomorrow, the 16th.

Poland – Dropping back-to-back games for the first time since mid-December, the Bulldogs will return home with a chance of revenge against thehated Canfield Cardinals (9-11). The Battle of 224 will return Friday night at 7:00 pm.