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Coach Ryan Tyna's Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy girls basketball team got 17 points from senior Cassie Wilson en route to a 68-31 win over Mogadore.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy’s girls basketball team grabbed an early lead and rolled for a 68-31 lead over a young Mogadore team Saturday at CVCA.

Ten players scored for the Royals, who were led by Cassie Wilson’s 17 points. The 5-foot-10 senior was dominant in the middle and scored the first six points of the game to give CVCA a lead that was never challenged.

“Cassie was able to have some success,” CVCA coach Ryan Tyna said. “Part of that’s Cassie working hard in the middle and part of it’s that we try to pressure the guards outside and then have Cassie do her thing. We know she is always going to do her thing, especially on the offensive end.”

Wilson was also a key to the Royals defensive success against the Wildcats. Throughout the game Mogadore coach George Tompkins urged his team repeatedly to get the ball to “the middle,” but it often looked like there wasn’t much middle to be had thanks in large part to Wilson and teammates Khrystian McCalister (5-foot-9, junior), Sydney Shanaberger (6-foot, sophomore) and Megan Foley (5-foot-9, junior), who clogged up the lane against Mogadore’s post players. In addition, CVCA’s guards, led by junior LeAunna Mallard, stayed in the face of the Wildcats and made it difficult for them to find room to move or pass.

“We started off doing what we always do,” Tyna said. “We try to pressure the ball and run a little bit. And then we started working on some of our half-court defenses and stuff. Our kids worked hard and they played hard.”

Tyna said he was impressed with Mogadore’s effort and attitude.

“We had a size advantage,” he said. “They did get inside on us a couple times, and I think that’s a part of their game they work on a lot. Our hat’s off to Mogadore. Those kids never gave up and kept fighting.”

The Wildcats were led offensively by sophomore Ashley Barker’s 10 points, all of which came in the second half. She hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Grace Reilly scored nine points for Mogadore.

Mallard scored eight points in the second half and finished the afternoon with 11. Shanaberger and McCalister each scored nine for the Royals.

Tyna said that both teams were able to use the game as a learning experience.

“It was a good game,” Tyna said. “Our girls have been working hard and it’s nice to get a win.”

INDIVIDUAL SCORERS

CVCA 68 – Natalie Silk 2, Sydney Shanaberger 9, LeAunna Mallard 11, Angelica Owen 4, Amanda Wesley 2, Khrystian McCalister 9, Cassie Wilson 17, Ashley Tyna 7, Halston Maresh 6, Megan Foley 1.

MOGADORE 31 – Jenn Watson 3, Grace Reilly 9, Naomi Pollock 6, Ashley Barker 10, C.J. Lange 3.

In other girls basketball games involving Akron area private schools…

ARCHBISHOP HOBAN 50, LAKE CATHOLIC 47. Scott Callaghan couldn’t be happier as the head coach of the Archbishop Hoban Girls basketball team and couldn’t be happier that his team is 2-0.

Callaghan’s Knights slammed the door defensively on Lake Catholic in the second and third quarters en route to a win over the Cougars in an early North Coast League contest.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to coach here,” Callaghan said. “I make a 100 percent commitment to coaching, and that’s very difficult on me and on my family.  My faith and my family come before basketball.  And when I feel I’m putting basketball before faith and family I need to take a step back. 

“(Hoban) is the perfect place for me as far as balance goes.”

Callaghan replaced Tracy Miller as head coach of the Knights.  Miller is now the head coach of the Green girls basketball team.

Callaghan led the Wadsworth girls from 2000-05, then the boys team at Wadsworth from 2006-08.  He coached the Copley boys team in 2008-09.  He was an assistant at North Canton Hoover for the girls team in 09-10.  Last year, Callaghan got to watch his two boys play basketball.

Lake Catholic jumped out to a 14-12 lead in the first quarter as Katlyn Spahar led the way with seven points.

In the second quarter, Lake Catholic scored nine points, all from the free-throw line.  In the third period, Hoban allowed eight points on three baskets and two free throws.  Hoban grabbed a 25-23 lead at halftime and extended it to 38-31 at the end of three.

“I was really pleased with our defensive effort in the third quarter.  I thought that was the difference in the game,” Callahan said.  “A second difference was the bench.”

Hoban got 19 of its 50 points from the bench.  Lake Catholic got all of its 47 points from its starters.

Hallie Sinko led the way for Hoban with 12 points.  Emma Horning had 11.

Leading the way for Lake Catholic were Spahar and Delani Stopp with 16 points apiece.

Hoban (2-0) will be back in action Wednesday night when the Knights travel to Stark County to play Northwest.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING:

LAKE CATHOLIC 47-- Katlyn Spahar 2 11-13 16, Delani Stopp 5 5-8 16, Kelsey Lancon 3 1-3 7, Erin Mog 2 3-4 7, Melaney Goosby 0 1-4 1.  Totals:  12 21-32 47.

ARCHBISHOP HOBAN 50--  Hallie Sinko 5 2-2 12, Emma Horning 4 1-2 10, Janaya Feaster 3 1-5 8, Sarah Alto 2 1-2 6, Meghan Donoghue 2 2-2 6, Alessandra Dickos 2 0-0 5, Kaleigh Roop 1 0-0 2, Allie Griffith 0 1-2 1.  Totals 19 8-15 50.

OUR LADY OF THE ELMS 55, AKRON EAST 45. At Our Lady of the Elms, the Panthers were led by Jessica Frew's 18 points and eight rebounds as The Elms improved to 2-1.

Tessa Haneline scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Melanie LaFlame added 10 points and five rebounds for The Elms.

India Banks and Arielle Sibley each scored 17 points for East.