SPARTANS CLAMP DOWN DEFENSIVELY TO BEAT VIKINGS

BOARDMAN, OH- The Boardman Spartans hosted a division 1 opponent on Monday night in the North Canton Hoover Vikings. The Spartans had one of the best defensive games of the year to pick up an 18 point victory.

Boardman came out strong after losing three consecutive games. The Spartans held the Vikings to just 7 first quarter points while scoring 13. Boardman extended the lead to double digits at the half after Reagan Smith knocked down two three-pointers in the second quarter. Boardman went into the locker-room leading 25-15.

The Hoover Vikings had an early push in the third quarter, cutting the lead down to 4 points midway through the third. Head Coach Jeff Hammerton called a timeout, and the Spartans came out fired up scoring 8 consecutive points to lead by 12 late in the third quarter. Hoover made one more late push to cut the deficit to 7 points, trailing 36-29 at the end of the third. Boardman amped up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter and held the Vikings scoreless in the final quarter. The Spartans picked up a huge victory over North Canton Hoover, winning by a final of 47-29. The 29 points was the least amount of points that Hoover has scored all season long.

Junior point guard Mackenzie Riccitelli led the team scoring 12 points, with senior Gia Triveri right behind with 9 points. The Spartans improve to 11-8 on the season, and will host Harding on Saturday. Coach Hammerton sat down with our YSN crew after the game, here is what he had to say: