LADY SPARTANS WIN SEESAW BATTLE OVER HOWLAND
BOARDMAN, OH-In a highly anticipated AAC matchup, the Boardman girls’ basketball team secured a hard-fought victory against the Howland Tigers with a final score of 60-52. The Spartans displayed their resilience and skill, improving their season record to 10-4 (3-1 in the conference), while Howland moved to 10-4 with the loss.
Mackenzie Riccitelli led the Spartans with an outstanding performance, contributing a game-high 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Riccitelli showcased her all-around game, recording 4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals, and maintaining a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line.
Sarah Bero continued her impressive season, securing another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Bero maintained a perfect shooting record, going 7 for 7 from the field. Sam Duble added to the offensive firepower, connecting on three 3-pointers and finishing with 12 points.
Despite facing adversity, M.C. Werth delivered a gritty performance, scoring 5 points and grabbing 5 rebounds before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Tori Strines stepped up to match Howland’s size and contributed 2 points, hitting both of her free throws.
Ava Freeborough, leading the team in assists with 5, played a crucial role in the second half, limiting Howland’s star shooting guard, Alyssa Massucci, to just 8 points after an impressive 16-point first half.
Freshman guard Mikayla Rivera showcased ball-handling skills against Howland’s trap defense and secured two crucial rebounds late in the game. The Spartans demonstrated a collective effort, with each player contributing to the team’s success.
For Howland, Senior Alyssa Massucci had 24 points, with a 16-point effort in the first half alone. Gia Hoso supplemented the scoring with eight of her own.
Looking ahead, Boardman gears up for a significant conference battle against the Canfield Cardinals on Saturday, with tip-off set for 2:30 pm. The Spartans aim to build on their recent victory and continue their strong performance in the conference.
