MATISI HITS WIN NUMBER 500

MCDONALD OH- Thanksgiving weekend is special in the world, but it was even more special for the Matisi family on Wednesday as head basketball coach Tony Matisi, from starting out as coach at Ursuline (92-98), to being the all time winningest head coach in Lowellville history (98-2013) , to South Range (2013-2019) and now at McDonald gotten his 500th career victory, as the Lady Blue Devils had a come from behind victory against the Windham Bombers 57 to 37.  

The first half score was all Bombers as they ended the first quarter up 13 to 11 and then the second with a 25 to 20 lead.  Even though they were up by five, the Lady Blue Devils did find some momentum after being down by more than 10 at one point.  At the beginning of the third, the defense showed that it was missing in the first half.  They would only hold Windham to a total of 11 points in the last two quarters.  Four points by Freshman Sydnie Sweet, two points by Mariah Woods, three points by Briah Daniel in the fourth quarter and two by Brielle Jones.  McDonald meanwhile after not being able to find the basket much in the first half took off and the young team with four freshmen were finding their rhythm.  Alivia Morrison, the lone senior, led the pack with eight points in the second half after a struggling start early, only hitting one three in the first.  Sophomore Grace Bundy put up six points in the second half, and freshman Juliana Krumpak had 16 points total in the game, scoring six in the second half and played really well on defense.  With this victory, Matisi’s head coaching record is now 40-12 at McDonald, all time is 500-200 and had another milestone hit as it was his 700th all-time game.  

After the big victory, YSNs Ian O’Brien was able to catch up with coach Matisi, talking about this victory, but his coaching career from start to now and how special the journey was getting here.  

*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*