MOONEY RUNS TOWARDS ANOTHER CONFERENCE WIN
By Michael Ginocchi
Youngstown, OH- The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team braced themselves for yet another formidable challenge as they hit the road to face Chaney in a crucial Steel Valley Conference showdown. It was a game marked by momentum swings, with Cardinal Mooney constantly feeling on the verge of seizing control, only to have Chaney’s resilient Cowboys stage impressive counterattacks each time. A late surge in the final quarter propelled the Cardinals to a big 67-56 victory, securing a crucial win for the team to improve to 3-1 inside the conference.
Jabri Carter led Mooney’s offensive charge, delivering an impressive performance with 17 pivotal points while orchestrating the team’s offense effectively. Although Rocco Turner initially faced a sluggish start on the offensive end, he quickly found his rhythm, contributing 14 points to the scoreboard. Notably, he showcased his shooting by sinking three crucial three-pointers and demonstrated composure at the foul line, converting 5 out of 6 attempts. Eddie Nieves delivered double-digit points, while Nick Pregibon provided a spark off the bench with some clutch baskets.
Chaney’s Matt Jones led the Cowboys with an impressive 17 points, with 16 points coming in the first half. However, his second-half scoring was significantly stifled, largely due to Mooney’s tenacious defense. Mooney’s defensive efforts played a pivotal role in limiting Jones’ impact in the latter half of the game. Clffton Scott and Asuante Mickel each finished in double figures scoring 10.
With the win Mooney improves to 12-4 (3-1 SVC) on the season. The Cardinals will be back in action Saturday (Feb. 3) at St Thomas Aquinas. Chaney drops to 5-7 (1-3 in SVC) with the loss. The Cowboys will be back in action on Sunday vs Spire Institute.
