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Fields paces Big Red with double-double in victory over undersized Oak Glen

DRIBBLING AROUND — Steubenville’s Leah Ferguson works her way around Oak Glen’s Emmy Severs (21) and Brittney Giorgini (1) on Thursday. Also shown are Big Red’s Seana Ragusa (3) and Oak Glen’s Maggie Kovalcik (5). (Photo by Joe Catullo)

NEW MANCHESTER — Steubenville senior Madison Fields admits she is not off to the best start this season after an impressive freshman campaign.

During the past week or two, the forward that she and head coach Jeff Lombardo expected is making her return, and it all starts at practice where Fields is putting in the hours necessary for success.

“At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t doing that great,” she said. “I was missing a lot of layups and free throws. I just practiced as hard as I could to improve on those. Plus, I couldn’t do it without the passes my teammates give me. It’s just a team effort.”

Her dedication showed Thursday night at Oak Glen. Fields led Big Red with 25 points and 13 rebounds — both game highs — during the team’s 63-46 victory. Seventeen of her points came in the second half when Steubenville (3-4) needed it the most.

“I’m seeing our skill level improve. Madison had 25 tonight, and she started off the year a little slower than what she hoped for,” Lombardo said. “But she works so hard at every practice and every time she’s in the game. That’s why good things usually happens to people who do that.”

Complimenting Fields was freshman Makayla Abram. She recorded 17 points (14 in the first half) and 11 boards along with a pair of assists. Abram and Fields were the difference.

“We feel like, against most teams, that we have the advantage inside,” Lombardo said. “Both of our post players are talented. Both know how to go up with both hands. They can hit the long range shots. At the same time, they want to drive it inside.”

Abram’s big first half gave Big Red a 34-15 advantage at the break despite 14 turnovers. It committed 17 in the second half, but Fields made sure to keep the Golden Bears (1-6) away.

Trailing 50-25 to begin the final period, Oak Glen went on a 10-3 run to make things a little interesting. It also played man-on-man defense for the first time this year and forced 10 turnovers. The big hole, though, was too deep to climb out of.

“I thought we were letting ourselves get beat up a little bit in the first half,” Oak Glen head coach John Leary said. “We just didn’t match their physicality. We didn’t do a good job getting bodies on them, especially rebounding. We missed eight layups and gave them six points on inbounds plays.

“I knew that if we played zone in the fourth quarter, they were just going to play keepaway. There was nothing to lose at that point.”

Alexa Andrews had her best game at the varsity level, according to Leary, with 12 points and three rebounds. Taylor Jackson tallied eight points and two assists off the bench. Alayna Kranis had a team-high 11 rebounds and three points. Maggie Kovalcik, playing her second full game this season, added three points and three boards.

Outside of Fields and Abram, Seana Ragusa recorded 10 points, three rebounds and three assists for Big Red. Makayla Crownover only had four points and four assists off the bench, but Lombardo said her defense overshadowed that. Sarah Brown added four points, four boards and five dimes.

“We were able to overcome (the turnovers) because we got ourselves easy looks,” Lombardo said. “Ultimately, I was not happy with the way we played. We feel like we can play better. We had a lot of unforced turnovers, but that’s a testament to coach Leary. He had those girls moving. They continued to press and make us uncomfortable.”

Oak Glen hosts East Liverpool on Wednesday with a 1 p.m. jayvee start. Big Red faces Harrison Central on Wednesday and another team Thursday during the Watt/Nese Holiday Classic at home.

“I believe our team is getting better. Everybody’s getting better individually,” Fields said.

Game notes:

¯ Steubenville won the jayvee game 38-30. Anna Taylor led Big Red with 11 points, while Jackson paced Oak Glen with 16.

Steubenville 63, Oak Glen 46

Steubenville 14-20-16-13 — 63

Oak Glen 7-8-10-21 — 46

STEUBENVILLE (3-4): Ragusa 3 2-2 10; Brown 2 0-0 4; Fields 11 3-3 25; Ferguson 0 0-0 0; Abram 7 3-6 17; Crownover 2 0-0 4; Minniefield 0 1-2 1; Thompson 1 0-0 2; Larue 0 0-0 0; Gulan 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 26, 9-13: 63.

OAK GLEN (1-6): Giorgini 0 2-2 2; Kovalcik 1 1-4 3; Andrews 5 2-3 12; Severs 2 2-5 6; Kranis 1 1-4 3; Enochs 3 0-0 7; Orenzuk 2 0-0 5; Beaver 0 0-0 0; Jackson 4 0-1 8; Loveland 0 0-0 0; Travis 0 0-0 0; Barganski 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18, 8-19: 46.

3-POINT GOALS: Steubenville 2 (Ragusa 2); Oak Glen 2 (Enochs, Orenzuk). REBOUNDS: Steubenville 36 (Fields 13); Oak Glen 29 (Kranis 11). ASSISTS: Steubenville 19 (Brown 5); Oak Glen 8 (Giorgini 3). TURNOVERS: Steubenville 31; Oak Glen 23.

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