RAIDERS SINK CLIPPERS

CANFIELD, OH– A solid, stingy defense and just enough offense enabled South Range to oust Columbiana 52-32 here Friday night.  The Raiders frustrated the Clippers attack all night long not allowing them to find any rhythm.

The defensive nature of the game was evident from the outset.  Both teams tenaciously challenged each other making offense difficult to execute.  It was the Raiders though who were able to open up a lead late in the first quarter and control the action the rest of the way.  Nick Matus had a strong start scoring 7 points giving the Raiders a 16-7 lead after one, and South Range took a 25-12 advantage into the locker room.

Columbiana kept the game within reach through three quarters getting as close as ten points with 3:20 to play in the third.  South Range led 37-25 heading to the final stanza before steadily pulling away.

 Chris Brooks led all scorers with 15.  Jaxon Andersen had 10 while Ben Irons, Dante Digaetano, and Matus chipped in with 7 apiece.  Sean Whitehead scored all of his 14 in the second half, and Matt Mazei netted 9 for the Clippers whose strong second half of the season ended with a 13-11 record.

South Range (17-6) head to Salem for a District semi-final against Canton Central Catholic Tuesday at 7 p.m.