MASSUCCI GOES OFF TO HELP HOWLAND HOLD BACK HARDING

HOWLAND CENTER, OH – It was a fierce backyard rivalry out in Howland as the host Lady Tigers held off a Warren Harding comeback to get the 43-39 win in the semifinals of the 2022 Toni Ross Spirit Foundation Tournament.

Despite a strong first quarter, Harding could not get any big momentum as they were plagued by over-the-limit fouls throughout the night. Howland then used those miscues to build up a 39-20 thanks to a 13-0 run to start the third quarter.

Harding, on the other hand, clawed back in the fourth quarter when they used a 19-3 run to pull it down to 42-39 in the final minutes. The Tigers, however, got the much needed hand when junior Alyssa Massucci put in a clutch free throw to put Howland up by two possessions at 43-39. Massucci was unguardable throughout the night, as she dialed in an explosive 28 points to lead all scorers. 

Howland (4-4) will advance to the championship game where they will play the Nordonia Knights (3-7), who are coming off a 55-42 win in their semifinal game over Champion. Harding (5-3) has now dropped two straight after a 5-1 start as they will now play Champion (2-6) in the consolation game. The consolation game will start at 6:00 while the championship game will follow afterwards.

Howland coach Aaron Pounds talked to YSN’s Noah Ricks as he went over his team’s performance. The full interview can be watched below.

*Contributed By YSN’s Noah Ricks