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Yappi.com writer CANTON—“We want McKinley! We want McKinley!” That was the chant from the Massillon student section as the final seconds ticked down late in the fourth quarter during their district semifinal against Perry. Consider their wish granted. The Massillon Tigers continued their domination over the Perry Panthers as they used a game-busting 13-0 run to handcuff their neighborhood rivals into a decisive 70-61 defeat in front of 2,542 fans at the Canton Civic Center Thursday night. Next for the Tigers will be the Canton Division I district championship game against defending two-time Division I AP poll and current state tournament champion Canton McKinley. The game will be played Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Canton Civic Center. It will be the fourth time the two teams meet in the tournament under the current head coaches, with McKinley owning wins in the 1997 district title game and 2002 state semifinal. Massillon’s win came in the 2003 district championship. This opportunity could not have been possible for the Tigers if it was not for their 13-0 run, which triggered a 24-9 third quarter that allowed Massillon to control the game for good. “We came out at halftime and we wanted to get after them defensively. Brian Gamble’s two three-point buckets got us going. Those shots were big at the time and we also were able to force some turnovers,” Massillon bench boss Matt Creamer said. He also praised Perry for their 16-7 finish. “Give Perry a lot of credit. I was pleased with their effort and what Rob Toth has done over there.” Perry floor admiral Rob Toth didn’t have to figure out why their season ended tonight, one game short of competing for a district title. “That 13-0 run was the game right there. Gamble hit two three pointers and we kind of self-destructed during their run,” he lamented. The first half saw both teams feel out each other. The first quarter saw Massillon assume their first lead which Greg Fite rammed home a one-handed dunk to cap a 6-0 run which forced Perry into a 30-second timeout with 3:30 left in the quarter. The Panthers came back with a John Marshall three-pointer to terminate the Massillon run as they went up 11-10. After a series of traded baskets, Fite’s lay-up before the end of the quarter gave Massillon the lead after one quarter, 16-15. Both teams still continued to feel out each other as they traded baskets once again. Even though both teams still traded goals, Massillon still led 28-25. But they were accomplishing their goal of what they wanted to do. That goal was to force the other Panthers to beat them and not sophomore center Kenny Frease and that was evident when Frease didn’t score in the opening quarter. “I was ok with that at the time even though we were down 28-25. We attacked the basket well in the half and I didn’t think that was an issue at the time,” Toth said. That all changed in the important third quarter and in a heartbeat. Two three pointers by Gamble put Massillon ahead by 10 points and Perry used a full timeout to try and stifle the run. But the bleeding continued for the Panthers as Fite, Michael Porrini, and Mario Edwards added to the Massillon run. What was a tense 33-29 Massillon lead was 46-29 in a matter of minutes. “We have some outstanding players that can step up for us once in a while,” Creamer said. “I was also pleased that we crashed the boards in that span.” Perry won the fourth quarter 27-18 and used two Frease monster jams along the way. However, the Tigers accomplished their mission of forcing the game into the hands of the rest of his teammates. Don’t expect Toth to be down for long as the Panthers stalk into the off-season with lofty goals. “In the off-season we are going to work hard and put in the time necessary. Our seniors have laid down the foundation and it will be up for the underclassmen to carry that,” Toth said. “I had fun coaching these guys and it’s only going to get better.” Edwards led Massillon with 17 points while Perry was led by Frease’s 22 points. Massillon turns their sights to the revered Canton McKinley Bulldogs. The first meeting in front of 2,976 fans went to the Bulldogs as they made their bite and bark felt in a 6-0 fourth-quarter run to expose the Tigers for a loss on the season. This time, the Tigers would love nothing more to return the favor. They have practiced harder after that loss and that is evident based on their current eight-game winning streak. Don’t expect the Tigers to come down with stage fright Saturday evening. “Canton McKinley is two losses away from being the #1 team in the nation. They are the best team in town,” Creamer said. When asked what he remembers from winning the 2003 district title against the Bulldogs, Creamer politely refused to discuss that game. “You know, I won’t even bring that up to my team because that was a long time ago. This is the 2005-06 season and we are going to give them a great game.” The chants of “We want McKinley” were heard loud and clear. The Tigers wish has been granted. STATS Field goals: Massillon 28/73 (38%), Perry 25/66 (38%). Three-point goals: Massillon 3/9 (33%), Perry 5/18 (27%). Free throws: Massillon 13/18 (72%), Perry 6/12 (50%). Turnovers: Massillon 16, Perry 20. Fouls: Massillon 12, Perry 17. Rebounds: Massillon N/A, Perry N/A.
Records: Perry 16-7, Massillon 20-2. |
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