FALCONS WIN A DOG FIGHT WITH POLAND

An early season non-conference matchup saw a rivalry renewed. Perhaps not to the same intensity as that of a Canfield or South Range, but Fitch and Poland basketball are perennial opponents to each other almost every season. The Bulldogs had a ten point victory against Austintown when Poland hosted them in the 2021 campaign, this time around, Fitch brought it to their court.

The 2020 season ended up skipping Fitch’s turn in the home and away rotation year to year, meaning the last time these two teams locked horns on Austintown turf was 2018! It has been even longer since The Falcons tasted victory against Poland, with their last victory against The Bulldogs coming on January 26th, 2016! The win came when the two teams were playing each other twice a season as conference opponents part of The All American Conferences (AAC) Red Division.

The Tuesday matchup is what you expect when these two teams go at it like in the past, with a lot of hustle, heart and determination being shown from both sides. A pair of gritty teams that know the value in playing a hard-nosed brand of defense.

Points were at a premium as both teams exchanged in some back and forth scoring, with neither team establishing a distinct advantage and a few lead changes throughout. Premier athletes in the Poland community such as Danny Nittoli and Noah Huda provided a nice one-two punch as a guard and a big for The Bulldogs. While Guys like Bryce Barringer and Luke Generalovich made a trifecta of three point shots a piece, expanding the offensive range of Poland.

On the other side, the scoring trio of Marcel Finkley, Gianni Maley and Carter Owens each contributed by scoring in double digits on the night. While the twin bigs in Alex and Allen Hill were defensive juggernauts on their 15th birthday! The Player of the Game was Carter Owens and give him that legendary “ice in his veins” badge, as he knocked down a pair of critical threes late in the game whilst coming up with some big free throws to help salt a Fitch victory away. A big win for Austintintown as they ended their near seven year drought against The Bulldogs by a final score of 47-41.

Both teams are in action again this upcoming Friday, with Poland (1-2) going back home to prepare for an in-conference dog fight, literally! Hosting The Lakeview Bulldogs (1-3) in both teams first conference bout of the season. For Fitch (2-0) they will stay home and take to the skies as a 2021 Regional Finalist in The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (2-0) comes to town. Both games are slated to be on YSN!

Stats (Fitch)

Carter Owens: 12 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST. (Player of the Game)

Gianni Maley: 10 PTS, 2 REB, 3 STL.

Marcel Finkley: 14 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL.

Allen Hill: 6 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK.

Alex Hill: 3 REB, 1 AST, 4 BLK.

Cecil Fidram: 3 PTS, 3 REB, 2 STL.

Kendall Ziegler: 2 PTS.

Stats (Poland)

Luke Genralovich: 9 PTS, 1 REB, 1 STL.

Bryce Barringer: 9 PTS, 1 REB, 1 STL.

Danny Nittoli: 7 PTS, 8 REB.