GIRARD - Warren played in the game of the year thus far, but fell to 0-2 in Region 7 with a 50-49 overtime loss to Girard.
"It was a great game - no more than a five-point game either way, back and forth," said Warren coach Jeff Berdine, whose Dragons are 3-2 overall. "When you come out here, you have to be ready to play; it was a physical game. I thought our defense was solid. We had so many opportunities to take care of (their mistakes), and we missed those opportunities.
"I thought we played great defense tonight, but if you don't take care of the ball at the end, you're not going to win," he said.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg
Splitting ‘D’
Eisenhower’s Carter Farrell (5) drives between two Iroquois defenders during the second half of their boys basketball game Tuesday at Eisenhower High School. The Braves defeated the Knights 48-32. See page B-2.
Preston McMeans had 22 points to lead the Dragons, and had an opportunity - albeit a tough one - to win the game at the end of regulation on a back-door lob pass. He added four rebounds and five steals.
Hank Morrison finished with seven rebounds and Austin Jerman added four.
Warren played solid defense for two minutes to end regulation and forced a turnover with three seconds left to at least get a shot at it. Neither team scored in overtime until 20 seconds left and Girard actually led by four when Tyler Fantaskey made a half-court 3-pointer at the end of overtime to get the Dragons to within one point.
"These region games, you've got to figure out a way to win," said Berdine, "and right now, we've figured out a way to lose."
WARREN (49): Joel Stewart 1 2-2 4, Jordan Baker 0 1-2 1, Austin Jerman 1 1-2 3, Kyle Papalia 0 0-0 0, Mark Davis 0 0-0 0, Kory Thomas 3 0-0 6, Hank Morrison 1 0-0 2, Tyler Fantaskey 5 0-3 11, Preston McMeans 9 1-1 22. Totals 20 5-10 49.
GIRARD (50): Stuart 5 6-7 19, Grettler 0 0-0 0, Nicosia 1 0-0 3, Zadorozny 0 0-1 0, Byham 4 2-2 12, Lewis 3 0-0 6, Swanson 3 0-0 6, Brown 0 0-0 0, Tome 2 0-0 4, Ferrick 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 8-10 50.
Warren 12 15 10 9 3 - 49
Girard 12 15 7 12 4 - 50
3-pointers: W-McMeans 3, Fantaskey; G-Stuart 3, Byham 2, Nicosia.
Junior varsity game
WARREN (28): Daniel Maeder 0 0-0 0, Grayson Foley 0 0-0 0, Matt Sandberg 1 3-4 5, Austin Jerman 3 3-5 9, Cody McGraw 0 0-0 0, Mark Davis 2 6-8 10, Drew Lobdell 1 2-2 4. Totals 7 14-19 28
GIRARD (22): Bonnett 0 0-2 0, Dibble 1 0-2 2, Cruz 5 0-0 12, Ferrick 1 4-4 6, Kalicky 1 0-3 2. Totals 8 4-11 22.
Warren 3 7 6 12 - 28
Girard 2 2 4 14 - 22
3-pointers: W-none; G-Cruz 2.
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Erie First 63, WCCS 35
Despite the lopsided 63-35 loss showing on the scoreboard, WCCS coach Steve Zwald was all smiles after his Warren County Christian School team's game Tuesday.
"This is by far the best game we've played all season," said Zwald. "This team has a lot of small, quick guards and we played really decent defense on them the entire game. What really hurt us tonight was our shooting percentage. I'm sure we shot somewhere around 20 percent for the game and they were probably double us in that category."
Andrew Hammersley ended the contest with a double-double, contributing 13 points and 12 rebounds. Ricky Zortman, Carson Moore and Tim Hungerford all added six points apiece. Zwald was especially pleased with Moore's effort which also included six boards, three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks for the 0-3 Lions.
Erie First Christian won the junior varsity game, 26-19. Jamie Petrusch scored eight points to lead the Lions.
ERIE FIRST (63): Hanlin 4 4-5 12, Wang 5 0-0 12, L. Hess 3 2-2 10, Swonger 6 0-4 12, K. Hess 2 0-0 4, Scarlet 1 0-0 3, Wiggins 3 0-0 7, Buzzanco 1 1-3 3, Totals: 25 7-14 63
WCCS (35): Andrew Hammersley 5 2-6 13, Andrew Laird 1 0-2 2, Ricky Zortman 2 0-4 6, Carson Moore 3 0-1 6, Tim Hungerford 2 2-4 6, Chris Root 0 0-1 0, Jamie Petrusch 1 0-0 2, Josh Wagonseller 0 0-0 0, Totals: 14 4-18 35
Erie First Christian 13 14 19 17 - 63
WCCS 10 8 4 13 - 35
3-pointers: E-Wang 2, L. Hess 2, Wiggins, Scarlet; W-Hammersley, Zortman 2.
Junior varsity game
ERIE FIRST (26): Hontifieri 3 1-2 7, Gernovich 3 0-0 6, Martin 5 1-4 13, Totals: 11 2-6 26
WCCS (19): Josiah Poindexter 2 0-2 4, Tyler Keeler 0 0-0 0, Eric Sorenson 2 0-0 4, Josh Wagonseller 1 0-2 3, Jamie Petrusch 4 0-4 8, Totals: 9 0-8 19
Erie First Christian 6 1 10 9 - 26
WCCS 6 2 8 3 - 19
3-pointers: E-Martin 2; W-Wagonseller
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Conneaut Valley 67, Youngsville 41
CONNEAUTVILLE - Conneaut Valley's Casey Baker was at the top of his game Tuesday, dumping in 31 points and helping his team to a 67-41 victory over Youngsville.
"He's an outstanding basketball player," said Youngsville coach Ray Neidrick. "He broke the school record for points during the game tonight and we had a hard time keeping up with him."
The Eagles did their best, getting 13 points from Broc Horn and eight points from Jeremy Clark.
Youngsville suffered a 44-20 setback in the junior varsity game. James Frazier led the Eagles' effort with seven points.
YOUNGSVILLE (41): Nathan Smith 2 0-0 4, Jeremy Clark 3 1-2 8, A.J. Gustafson 0 0-2 0, Broc Horn 5 3-6 13, Caleb Linkerhof 2 0-0 5, Coll Dininny 0 0-0 0, D.J. Rose 1 2-4 5, Tim Snavley 1 0-0 2, Brandon Reed 1 0-0 2, Tom Chapman 1 0-0 2, Totals: 16 6-14 41
CONNEAUT VALLEY (67): Baker 12 7-14 31, C. Barre 8 3-4 20, Kardash 1 0-0 2, Twist 3 1-2 9, A. Barre 0 1-2 1, Smith 1 1-2 4, Totals: 25 13-25 67
Youngsville 4 9 10 18 - 41
Conneaut Valley 13 24 19 11 - 67
3-pointers: Y-Clark, Linkerhof, Rose; C-C. Barre, Twist 2, Smith
Junior varsity game
YOUNGSVILLE (20): John Pollow 1 0-0 2, Colin Lehnen 0 0-0 0, James Frazier 3 0-2 7, A.J. Gustafson 1 0-0 2, Josh Taydus 1 1-2 3, Coll Dininny 2 0-0 4, Tom Chapman 1 0-0 2, Cory Jones 0 0-0 0, Esteban Carehio 0 0-0 0, Totals: 9 1-4 20
CONNEAUT VALLEY (44): Smith 1 0-0 2, Cardone 2 3-4 7, Barre 3 4-9 10, McCauley 0 1-2 1, Braeden 5 3-4 13, Kimball 2 0-0 4, Lashe 3 1-2 7, Totals: 16 12-21 44
Youngsville 5 3 6 6 - 20
Conneaut Valley 13 9 11 11 - 44
3-pointers: Y-Frazier; C-None
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Iroquois 48, Eisenhower 32
Iroquois used a mix of offensive styles to throw Eisenhower off rhythm, and the visiting Braves defeated the Knights, 48-32, Tuesday at Eisenhower.
The game started off up-tempo with both teams trading baskets. Iroquois was able to grab an 8-5 lead, then switched gears on Eisenhower as the Braves tried to draw the Knights out of their 2-3 zone defense by literally standing still. Iroquois' point guard stood near mid-court, kept his dribble, but didn't move for 1:30 of the first quarter in an attempt to pull Eisenhower into a man defense.
The tactic paid off for the Braves as they were able to capitalize on some turnovers when the Knights tried to pick the pace back up, with Iroquois eventually taking a 12-7 after one period.
The teams traded 6-0 runs to start the second quarter, first Iroquois, then Eisenhower. Iroquois then went back to the "don't move" offense, and was able to take a 20-13 lead into halftime.
The Braves went into a full-court press to start the second half, and were able to turn some Knight turnovers into points. Eisenhower was able to get some good looks at the basket, but the shots just wouldn't fall, as the Knights were outscored 17-9 in the third quarter.
"I'm pleased with the score," Norris said. "(We're) a young team, (and make) a lot of young mistakes. I knew that this year was going to be like that, but we're going to come along."
Tre Frank led the Knights with nine points.
IROQUOIS (48): C. Edinger 4 8-8 17, J. Kawski 7 0-0 14, J. Lobenthal 3 1-1 7, T. Wheeler 3 0-0 6, P. Brown 1 0-0 2, J. Brozdowski 1 0-0 2, D. Dodds 0 0-0 0, Z. Cassady 0 0-0 0, J. Finke 0 0-0 0, Totals 19 9-9 48
EISENHOWER (32): Tre Frank 3 3-4 9, Austin Schwanke 2 3-3 7, Josh Deppas 2 1-2 5, Nathan O'Brien 1 1-1 3, Ryan Williams 1 1-1 3, Aaron Lundmark 2 0-0 5, Andy Onoratti 0 0-2 0, Carter Farrell 0 0-0 0, Colin Shine 0 0-0 0, Alex Johnson 0 0-0 0, Joe Rutsky 0 0-0 0, Totals 11 9-13 32
Iroquois 12 8 17 11 - 48
Eisenhower 7 6 9 10 _ 32
3-pointers: I-Edinger; E-Lundmark
Junior varsity game
IROQUOIS (29): L. Edinger 3 2-2 9, P. Brown 1 4-4 6, J. Brozdowski 3 0-0 6, Z. Cassady 0 3-4 3, J. Lobenthal 0 3-4 3, J. Cagnoli 1 0-0 2, D. Dodds 0 0-0 0, J. Finke 0 0-0 0, Totals 8 12-14 29
EISENHOWER (43): Austin Schwanke 4 2-4 10, Aaron Lundmark 3 0-0 8, Tre Frank 2 3-4 7, Colin Shine 2 2-2 6, Nathan O'Brien 3 0-2 6, Andy Onoratti 2 0-0 4, Alex Johnson 1 0-0 2, Carter Farrell 0 0-0 0, Joe Rutsky 0 0-0 0, Totals 17 7-11 43
Iroquois 10 8 11 0 - 29
Eisenhower 12 9 6 16 - 43
3-pointers: I-Edinger; E-Lundmark 2