Sports

United defense key in 53-43 win over Columbiana in Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference clash

By Mike Brown

December 19, 2023 7:53 AM

United High School’s Addy Blazer prepares to inbound the basketball as Columbiana’s Megan Moser defends during Monday night’s key Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference game at United. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

HANOVERTON — United strolled out to a large first-quarter lead and never looked back in recording a 53-43 Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference girls’ basketball win over Columbiana in Hanoverton Monday evening.

“Our five seniors have been playing together forever and they all did a great job,” commented United head coach Cory Leek.

The win upped the Golden Eagles’ record to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the EOAC, while Columbiana lost for the first time all season and is also 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference as the two schools are now tied for the league lead with Southern.

Grace Knight led the way for United

Senior Grace Knight sparked the Golden Eagles with 14 points, while teammate Addy Blazer was next with 13 points, Samantha Lippiatt had nine, Grayson Kidder eight and Katie Dees had seven points.

United girls’ head basketball coach Cory Leek, center bottom, talks to his team during a timeout in Monday night’s first-place Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference showdown with Columbiana in the Golden Eagles gym. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

Ellie Venezia led Columbiana in scoring

Ellie Venezia topped all Clipper scorers with 13 points and Evy Rapp added nine points.

United forced 26 turnovers out of the Clippers, including 17 in the first half when the Golden Eagles went out to a 20-5 lead and maintained momentum throughout the game.

“You get into a big-stage environment and it can snowball on you,” commented Columbiana girls’ head basketball coach Dave Crismon of falling behind early and trying to play catch up the rest of the night.

Defense key for United

United’s Leek praised his team’s defensive effort in holding down a dangerous Columbiana offense.

“That’s all to the girls,” praised Leek. “My dad, Terry Leek, is the defensive kind of coach and he guides the defense for us and hats off to him for what he does. We work really well together and it’s awesome to have my father there.”

Crismon said his team didn’t shoot well in the game.

“We kept fighting and finally started hitting a few shots but we didn’t shoot well tonight,” said the Columbiana head coach. “But again, that’s United, they did that well defensively.”

Monday’s game was the first of two league meetings between the Golden Eagles and the Clippers. The two teams will meet in the second round of league play at Columbiana on Jan. 29.