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Three local teams on final day of CITC schedule

By ELLIOTT SCHREINER
Daily Record Sports Writer

BERLIN -- The following is a capsule look at the Day 3 matchups at the Classic in the Country V.

Garaway vs.Orrville (10 a.m.)

It's the Bardall Bowl in this one.

Former Orrville coach Scott Bardall, who took the Riders to their second state trip, is heading up Garaway.

But that's not the only interesting thing. It'll be a contrast-in-styles game as well, with Garaway playing methodically (allowing 27.3 ppg), and Orrville running and gunning.

All-Ohioan DeVonne Howard leads the Riders, scoring 12 points per game. She's got some good running mates in post Libby Ladrach and guard Kelley Johnson, one of the top point guards in the area.

But Garaway has some firepower of its own. Despite its slow-down style, All-Ohioan Laura Bardall has been able to pour in 22.5 points per game this season.

 

Sandusky Perkins vs.Shaker Heights (11:45 a.m.)

The post will be on fire in this one with Shaker Heights 6-foot-2 Karisma Penn (18.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg) the No. 10 junior power forward, taking on Florida State-bound Cierra Bravard (21.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg), who comes in at 6-foot-5.

Who can step up around them is what could be the difference.

Penn has the likes of freshman Shelby Stokes and senior Lillian Pitts, both top 50 players in Ohio in their class, at her side.

Bravard will counter with Trisha Krewson, a wing slated to play at Bucknell next season.

Perkins will try to make good after dropping a game yesterday.

 

Lima Bath vs.Salem (1:30 p.m.)

Senior Katie Scullion plays admirably for Salem. Sophomore sister Amy is the Quakers' stud, ranked as the No. 24 sophomore in all the land.

The Wildkittens (Div. II, No. 2) aren't likely to let that bother them. Stephanie Mauk comes in scoring 18.5 points per game for her squad.

This one should be a battle for a pair of northern Ohio Div. II teams.

Chaminade-Julienne vs. Bishop McGuiness (N.C.) (3:15 p.m.)

McGuiness just isn't going to catch a break at the CITC this season. After a Saturday matchup with defending Div. I champion Cin. Mt. Notre Dame, the Villains have drawn perennial Div. I powerhouse Chaminade-Julienne, ranked No. 3 in the latest AP poll.

Much like MND, C-J has a starting lineup that makes most teams jealous. Back are all five starters from last season's 17-7 team.

Leading the way is Louisville-bound Tierra Stephen, the No. 55 junior point guard in America. Post India Warfield is slated to play at St. Louis next season. The other three starters are all nationally ranked in their respective classes.

Erin Thompson scored 13 in Saturday's loss to lead the way for the Villains.

 

Canfield vs. West Holmes (5 p.m.)

The Knights got a pretty good draw in this one, taking on a team that dropped from Div. I to Div. II this season.

The Cardinals (No. 7 , Div. II) are led by 6-foot-4 Kate Popovec (17.7 ppg), a senior who's on her way to play at Pittsburgh next season. Senior Bryanne Halfhill comes into the game posting 16.0 points per game, while younger sister Jillian rates as one of the country's top sophomores.

The Knights will counter with Sarah Hammond (12 ppg, 9 rpg). The 6-foot-2 junior will likely have her hands full in Popovec.

Sophomore Noelle Yoder has been playing up to her national ranking as the No. 78 player in her class of late.

 

Lexington (Ky.) Catholic vs. Youngstown Boardman (6:45 p.m.)

Boardman rates as one of the perennial powers in Ohio. They ain't got nothin' on the Knights, ranked No. 9 in the latest USA Today national top 25.

Guard Natalie Novosel comes into the game scoring 19.5 points per contest, while running mate Briana Green is rated as the No. 24 point guard nationally in the senior class.

But the Spartans are no slouch. Courtney Schiffauer, a 6-foot-1 forward, is headed to Michigan State next season, while 6-2 sophomore teammate Darryce Moore is leading the team with 15.5 points per outing.

 

Hathaway Brown vs. Hiland (8:30 p.m.)

West Holmes' 2007 CITC victim takes on its cross-county rivals in the final game at the CITC V.

Last season, the Blazers closed their season in the Div. II state title game and this year come in with a No. 9 ranking. They return four starters from a season ago and could be headed back to Columbus this season.

They'll provide the Hawks with all kinds of match-up problems. Angela Groves, a 6-2 senior, is one of the top posts in the state this season. And Mylan Woods rates as one of the top sophomores in the country.

But the Hawks are coming off their best performance of the season, topping Columbus Brookhaven 51-43 without trailing after the first quarter.

Both teams may be in their respective divisions' closing game at the end of the season. For now they'll have to settle for closing out the state's other big tournament.

 

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