Yappi.com writer
CANTON—Massillon head coach Matt Creamer has the belt signifying him as Lincoln Way East champion.
Perry head coach Rob Toth wants that title.
Thanks in part to two missed three-pointers by Lake senior guard Ross Nisly, the Panthers escaped their sectional tournament contest with a heart-stopping 44-41 win over the Blue Streaks in a battle of Federal League foes. It also avenged a heart-breaking 2001 tournament loss to the Streaks that ruined a 19-1 regular season for the Panthers.
Next up for the Panthers will be a Thursday night district semifinal or as Toth said, the “Lincoln Way East championship.” And this time, the Panthers are determined more than ever to pull off the upset against their neighbors.
“After that first game, we wanted a second shot at them and that was our 13th game into the season. That loss left us at 10-4,” he said. “I told our team after that loss that if we played well that we could get a second shot at them and you know what, we got it.”
That first game ended with the Tigers retreating back to Massillon with a 61-60 win through a buzzer-beating six-foot jumper by junior standout guard Michael Porrini. However though, he drew the ire of Perry fans when he shouted at them to “go home” as Massillon fans, students, and players celebrated the win at center court while the Panthers returned to their locker rooms, some in shock and tears at the sight of what had occurred.
Perry had problems in their attempt to stop the flashy 6’1’’ guard who scored 20 points in the Tigers win. When asked if Porrini was going to be a target for the Panthers based on his actions after the first game, Toth refused to travel down the revenge path.
“No, we don’t play like that,” he said. “Porrini is a great ball player and he is going to get his points. We are not going to single him out as a target for our players, that is not Perry basketball. Perry basketball is not played that way.”
The Panthers had to work for everything to turn back the Blue Streaks, who have always played with a never-give-up mantra for the last six years under head coach Tom McBride.
That mantra was shown again in the first quarter when junior guard Eric
Coblentz came out firing outside the arc. He connected on his first four
attempts in giving the Blue Streaks a 14-6 advantage.But the Panthers responded with a 7-0 run that included two baskets by center Kenny Frease, guard Ryan Kelly and a three-point shot by John Marshall. The Panthers trailed 17-15 after one quarter.
Perry then used a 10-0 run in the second quarter which culminated in their first lead of the game when Marshall drilled a three-pointer to put them ahead 20-19 early in the second quarter. Following baskets by Lake’s Cory Niggel and Coblentz, Panthers guard Matt Ehmer converted a running lay-up and the Panthers were in control 27-23 at intermission.
The third quarter was the most decisive quarter of the contest. The Panthers defense stymied the Lake shooters, forcing them into a 1/13 effort in the quarter. They went five minutes without a field goal in that span.
“We did a good job of mixing up our attack on defense. That third quarter was 13-6 and that allowed us to widen the gap between us and them,” Toth said.
“We didn’t capitalize on those shots and we did not shoot free throws well,” a solemn McBride said. “They did a good job of stifling our attack. What can I say? You’re not going to drive a lot on a guy (Frease) who is 6’11’’ and we really needed to knock those shots down.”
The fourth quarter was a hectic and heated quarter. Late in the quarter, four players, two from both Lake and Perry were going for a loose ball. Referee Kevin High ruled in favor of the Blue Streaks. Three Perry students voiced their displeasure to High about the call in his direction.
High ejected the three students from the game but both teams were playing on high voltage. That voltage led to a lot of suspense, Nisly’s missed two three pointers, and the Panthers second nail-biting win.
Frease led the Panthers with 14 points. Coblentz led Lake with 19 points.
“We have 30 days to put this behind us and then we get back to work,” McBride said. “And we will come back an even better ball team.”
“I was hoping that three didn’t go down. Worst case is that he makes it and we go to overtime,” Toth said. “You don’t want to foul him on a three-point attempt because anything can happen in a game like this.”
“Now we turn our sights to Massillon.”
Creamer and the Tigers possess the Lincoln Way East belt. Toth and the Panthers want that belt.
STATS
Field goals: Perry 16/42 (38%), Lake 11/44 (25%). Three-point goals: Perry 5/12 (42%), Lake 7/18 (39%). Free throws: Perry 8/17 (47%), Lake 8/16 (50%). Turnovers: Perry 11, Lake 11. Fouls: Perry 27, Lake 21. Rebounds: Perry 30, Lake 21.
| BOXSCORE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | TOTAL |
| Perry Panthers | 15 | 12 | 13 | 4 | XX | 44 |
| Lake Blue Streaks | 17 | 6 | 7 | 11 | XX | 41 |
Records: Lake 9-13, Perry 16-6