The Herald, Sharon, Pa: Winter sports '97-'98

Published Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998

DISTRICT 10 CLASS A
Eagles 41, Wolverines 29

Kennedy in finals
* * *
Lady Eagles struggle, but top Sheffield
* * *
Conneaut Lake is next opponent in Saturday tilt
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer

After watching his team play an uncharacteristically sloppy game in the District 10 Class A semifinals Wednesday, Kennedy Christian coach Father Rick Tomasone was searching for advice.

``It would be nice if (former Farrell and Kennedy boys) coach (Eddie) McCluskey was alive because I could go and ask him what's wrong. Now I'm going to have to do it on my own,'' said Father Tomasone.

Tomasone's Lady Golden Eagles, however, were able to post a 41-29 victory over Sheffield at Sharon High School _ but it wasn't pretty. Kennedy struggled offensively, turning the ball over 24 times.

To get Kennedy Christian (22-3) turned around heading into Saturday's championship game with Conneaut Lake, a 43-27 winner over Youngsville Wednesday, Tomasone will have to do some legwork.

The game, albeit far from a textbook show, wasn't a total loss.

``This game allows us to move in the direction we want to go in. That's the District 10 championship game,'' Father Tomasone said. Site and time for the Saturday finals will be announced.

Leading the way to the title game were Jamie Cicuto and Sara Laslow, each with 12 points. Cicuto added 10 boards and Tara Stevens chipped in with 8. Guard Katie Meier had 11 points and handed out four assists.

Still, the Lady Golden Eagles finished nearly 12 points under their usual per-game scoring average.

``I'm happy with our defense,'' said second-year Sheffield coach Jeff White. ``We held them to 41, our goal was to hold them to 40. We figured if we held them to 40 we'd have a chance. We played good, scrappy defense. We have to because we're not blessed with a shooter.''

The Lady Wolverines (16-10) made due with 5-8 inside force Amanda Duell, who led all scorers with 16 points. She had all 6 of her team's first-quarter points as Sheffield trailed just 7-6 after the first frame.

Kennedy had its best showing in the second quarter to take a commanding 26-8 lead at halftime after holding Sheffield to 1 of 5 shooting while forcing 6 turnovers.

``We didn't do what we talked about before the ballgame,'' Father Tomasone said. ``The second quarter we got it together a little bit.''

The Lady Wolverines suffered through a scoring drought lasting the final 5:40 of the quarter, including missing the front end of two one-and-one situations that could have kept them in the game.

``We blew it,'' White said. ``It could have been a 13-10 game and it really would have kept us in it.''

Sheffield rebounded in the third quarter, starting the frame on a 10-4 run the first 41/2 minutes to make it 30-18. After a pair of Laslow free throws and a jumper by Laslow gave the Lady Golden Eagles a more breathing room, Cicuto picked up her fourth foul and had to go to the bench with 50 seconds left in the third.

The Lady Wolverines pulled within 13 on a foul shot by Kim Herzog and a jumper by Duell. But Meier connected on a shot at the buzzer to give Kennedy a 36-21 lead after three quarters.

In the fourth, Kennedy attempted, and made, just one shot from the field. They maintained their advantage by running their half-court offense and by hitting free throws down the stretch. The closest Sheffield got was 40-29 after 226A 2Herzog put back a Duell miss with 46 seconds left.

So what malaise will Father Tomasone look for when studying game film from the game in preparation for Saturday's title showdown?

``Most times it's a small thing, not a big thing,'' Father Tomasone said.

NOTES: Kennedy shot 47 percent from the floor, namely after a 9 for 15 second quarter. Sheffield hit on 12 of 34 attempts (35 percent). It was the second consecutive D-10 semifinal win over Sheffield for the Lady Golden Eagles. Last year, en route to the District 10 Championship, Kennedy won a 64-32 decision. Duell went out with a knee injury in that game. ... Sheffield will play Youngsville in the consolation Saturday.

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Updated Feb. 26, 1998
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