HANOVERTON - Overtime foul shots by Ruth Prosko and Rachel Sell were the difference as the United Local girls basketball team opened the season with a pulsating 46-44 overtime win over the visiting Cardinal Mooney Cardinals.

Prosko, who topped all scorers with 13 points despite being plagued by early foul trouble, canned the back end of a two-shot foul with 2:41 remaining in the extra stanza. Both teams had trouble finding the basket in overtime, as United missed on both of their tries and Mooney on all seven of their attempts from the floor.

Sell connected on the second of her two charity tosses with just 18 seconds remaining for a little more cushion for the Eagles under the direction of Roger Zeigler, who is in his fourth year on the Eagles' sideline.

"I am so proud of the team," said the United coach. "Win or lose, they play hard. I appreciate that and I hope the community does too. Ruth is going to be a great player for us. She posts up well and is strong with the ball."

United, which only returns two starters from last year's 22-2 district championship team, fell behind early, trailing 11-6 after the first quarter. Prosko, who provides United with an inside force, went to the bench after only one minute and eight seconds had elapsed, as she was whistled for her second foul. In her absence, Sierra Parks stepped to the forefront, scoring four points in each of the first two quarters.

Utilizing a fullc ourt press in the second quarter, United forced Mooney into 11 turnovers, outscoring their visitors by a 22-11 count to take a 27-22 halftime lead.

Hillary Hoppel, who finished with 11 points, and Prosko had six points each during the second eight minutes. Coming off the bench, Lange Carter dished out two assists and Crystal Richards hit United's only three of the afternoon. Two free throws by Chelsea Laughlin with 1:24 remaining before intermission, gave the Eagles a 25-18 lead - the biggest lead of the day for either team.

"I have no problem with going to our bench for help," said Zeigler concerning the play of Parks, Richards and Carter. "They are all able to step in and contribute."

The third quarter was low-scoring, as there were only 13 points scored; eight by Mooney and five by United.

"We went back to our man defense, instead of the zone we were in the second quarter," said Cardinal Mooney head coach Jack Bermann. "We also did a better job on offense of looking for the second cutter in the second half."

Two baskets early in the fourth quarter by Laughlin gave United a 36-35 lead with 5:06 to go in the quarter.

"Chelsea struggled early in the game from the floor, but she didn't give up," said Zeigler. "She knows that you have to keep your head and keep playing."

Laughlin and Hoppel are United's lone returning starters from last year's district championship team.

Trailing 37-36, United's Hoppel converted a three-point play with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter for a 39-37 lead. Mooney tied the game on two foul shots by Taylor Woytek, who led Mooney with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

A 14-footer by Richards, a Prosko basket off a Parks feed and Prosko foul shot, gave United a 44-39 lead with just 1:15 showing on the fourth quarter clock.

Mooney came back on a backdoor basket by Amy Vinopal and a three-pointer by Dominque Zordich with seven seconds remaining to tie the game and set up the overtime.

"She's a good three-point shooter," said Bermann of Zordich. "When she gets her feet set, she usually makes it."

This game was rescheduled from Friday night to accommodate Mooney as their football played Steubenville in the Div. III state semifinals, winning 45-7.

Mooney won the JV game by a 45-37 count with Christine Pelini pacing the young Cardinals with eight points. Josie McKinley led United with nine.

Mooney plays at Boardman Monday while United hosts Youngstown Christian the same night.