Start survives Southview

Start's Maleeka Kynard, No. 12, drives past Southview's Tiffany Scott in the semifinal game. Kynard racked up 25 points in Start's win over the Cougars. <BR> <img src=http://www.toledoblade.com/graphics/icons/photo.gif> <font color=red><b>PHOTO GALLERY</b></font>: <a href="/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=TO&Dato=20100305&Kategori=SPORTS12&Lopenr=305009997&Ref=PH"_blank"> <b> Southview - Start - Division I district girls basketball semifinals</b></a> JETTA FRASER Enlarge

Start took a big step toward another trip to Columbus by holding off a fearless and feisty Southview Cougar team in a Division I district semifinal game Thursday night.

The Spartans (18-4) never trailed in the game at Clay, yet Southview (19-4) closed within one point with 6 minutes left. But Start, led by Maleeka Kynard's 25 points, held on for a 61-52 triumph to earn another shot at Waite (20-2). The Indians have defeated the Spartans twice, including in the City League championship. They'll meet again in the district final Saturday at Perrysburg.

“We are battle-tested,” Start coach Bob Brown said. “We aren't going to collapse if teams make runs at us. They are a great team. We told the girls a team that wins 18 games is a good team. Compliments to our kids for fighting back, and we re-grabbed a hold of the game.”

The Cougars trailed 48-35 to start the fourth quarter, but opened it with a 12-0 run to pull within a point with 6:10 left. After Katie Murphey started the fourth with a 3-pointer, Ariel Gaston tallied nine straight unanswered points capped by a 3-pointer.

Gaston had a team-high 12 points, while Taylor Hall added 11.

“We believe we belong on the floor with them,” Southview coach Todd Bostater said. “Obviously they are a great basketball team, and I don't think a lot of the people gave us a chance tonight. But we believed we could play with them.”

Kynard finally answered with a jumper for Start's first points with 5:40 left.

Meredith Martindale hit a free throw to make it 50-48. But Kynard responded by driving the middle of the lane for a layup. Azia Bishop came up with a steal and was fouled as the Spartans put on a full press. Bishop, who finished with 19 points, converted both foul shots for a 54-48 edge with 4:17 left. Start closed the game with a 7-4 spurt by grabbling two rebounds and forcing a turnover as Kynard scored 3 and Charon Sweeney tallied 4 points.

Southview had more 3-pointers (nine) than two-point field goals (eight) as six Cougars converted beyond the arc. But Southview did not have an answer for Kynard or Bishop (6-2), who finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds.

“We had a couple breakdowns on offense, but we got it back together,” Kynard said. “We know what we have to do to win. We have to work hard every possession so that we can get to the next level.”

Bishop, who had seven offensive boards, scored the first nine points to help Start jump out to a 9-0 lead. Southview struggled with turnovers for the first three quarters (19 miscues and 23 overall). But the Cougars pulled even at 19 with 4:31 left in the second quarter with a 12-2 spurt. Kynard answered with a 3-pointer, followed by two free throws and a layup as Start took a 27-19 lead into the half. It then opened a 36-19 lead to start the third quarter.

“I think the team that comes out of this district is going to Columbus, whether it's us or Waite. That's who is left standing,” Brown said. “It's going to be a war.”

Waite, ranked sixth, edged CL defending champion Spartans 44-43 in the title game. Seventh-ranked Start finished second in the state last year.

“It feels good to go back. But nothing is promised,” Kynard said. “We had some struggles the first couple games against them. But I feel like we'll come out hard because nobody wants to lose to a team three times.”

Contact Mark Monroe at:mmonroe@theblade.comor 419-724-6354.