It took a while, but Tidioute Charter put a full game together in the Bulldogs' first win of the season, 42-26, on Thursday over Warren County Christian School.
Trailing by three after one quarter, 1-14 Tidioute Charter outscored host WCCS 15-2 in the second quarter, and later 9-3 in the fourth quarter.
"(The hard work) finally paid off for them," said TCCS coach Dave Manning. "This is the first time all season we've had three (scorers) in double figures."
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Times Observer photo by Allen Seybert
Who wants it more?
Warren County Christian School’s Carson Moore is sandwiched by Tidioute Charter’s Shaun Sitterley, right, and Calvin Marsh (21) during the first half of a varsity boys basketball game Thursday at WCCS. Tidioute earned its first victory of the season during the game.
Manning said the Bulldogs could have had five in double figures, but the team was missing easy shots in the first quarter.
"They (WCCS) have a beat-up team right now," said Manning. "I came in thinking it was a game we could win no matter who they had on the court. (But) we were missing shot after shot and that was the story of the first quarter. The second quarter we came out and outscored them 15-2 and that was the difference in the game."
Manning said it was Tidioute's best quarter of the season, and he was glad to see his three seniors get a win after the charter school's winningest season last year.
"They've been through a lot," said Manning.
Senior Matt Brown had a game-high 16 points, senior Shaun Sitterley 10 points, Kendrick Morrison 10 points, and senior Ben Craft contributed a basket in the lone win of the season.
"We're down people, yes, but tonight, with the players on the floor, they simply outplayed us and outshot us," said WCCS coach Steve Zwald. The Lions were 0-for-10 at the free-throw line.
WCCS is without two players - key contributors - for the rest of the season due to injury. Both underclassmen, the Lions' leader in scoring and rebounding, Andrew Hammersley, and point guard and leader in steals, Ricky Zortman, are both out. The Lions (7-9 overall) open in the New Penn Christian Conference playoffs as the No. 5 seed on Tuesday against No. 4 Girard Alliance Christian at Christian Life Academy in Seneca.
The Lady Lions open Monday against CLA at CLA.
Andrew Laird led WCCS with 14 points, Carson Moore had 10 rebounds and five assists, and Tim Hungerford eight rebounds and four assists.
Tidioute Charter hosts Senior Night Friday against Erie First Christian.
TCCS (42): Ben Craft 1 0-0 2, Pat Haney 1 0-0 2, Kendrick Morrison 5 0-1 10, Shaun Sitterley 4 1-1 10, Matt Brown 5 6-15 16, Calvin Marsh 0 2-4 2. Totals 16 9-21 42.
WCCS (26) Josiah Poindexter 0 0-0 0, Tyler Keller 0 0-0 0, Andrew Laird 6 0-2 14, Carson Moore 3 0-0 6, Josh Wagonseller 1 0-0 2, Chris Root 0 0-0 0, Jamie Petrush 2 0-2 4, Tim Hungerford 0 0-4 0. Totals 12 0-10 26.
TCCS 7 15 11 9 - 42
WCCS 10 2 11 3 - 26
3-pointers: T-Sitterley; W-Laird 2.
Junior varsity game
TCCS(16): Jordan Yeager 1 0-0 2, Pat Haney 0 0-0 0, Chance Klos 1 0-0 2, Matt Niles 1 0-0 2, Cody Mohrey 1 2-2 4, Cody Masters 0 0-0 0, Calvin Marsh 3 0-0 6, Totals: 7 2-2 16
WCCS (14): Josiah Poindexter 1 0-0 2, Tyler Keller 1 0-0 2, Josh Wagonseller 0 0-0 0, Jamie Petrush 5 0-5 10, Chris Root 0 0-0 0, Totals: 7 0-5 14
TCCS 4 4 4 4 - 16
WCCS 2 2 2 8 - 14
3-pointers: None
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Brockway 59, Sheffield 57
BROCKWAY - Heartbreak.
Brockway hit a half-court buzzer-beater in overtime to claim a narrow 59-57 victory over Sheffield Thursday at Brockway High School in a District 9 make-up game.
The Wolverines had hit one of two free throws with just four seconds remaining in overtime to grab a 57-56 lead, but the Rovers were able to get just past the midcourt line before throwing up a desperation shot that hit nothing but net to secure the win.
"I know it's a cliche, but I couldn't be more proud of the way these kids played tonight," said Sheffield coach Todd Fitch.
Sheffield held a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, and took a 35-22 lead into the half. Brockway came out on fire in the third quarter, outscoring Sheffield 17-9, to pull within five points at 44-39 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Rovers pulled even in the fourth quarter and sent the game into overtime, mainly on the strength of their perimeter shooting. Brockway hit seven 3-pointers in the game.
Sheffield (7-13) was able to keep pace despite going 4-22 from beyond the arc, but the 9-21 performance from the free throw line ultimately cost the Wolverines.
"We missed four free throws in overtime," Fitch said. "Again it's a cliche, but this game is won at the line and lost at the line."
Kalil Slaughter and George Fitch both had a double-double, Slaughter with 18 points and 14 rebounds while Fitch added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
"These kids played for pride tonight," coach Fitch said. "They knew they didn't have a shot at the playoffs and still brought their 'A' game."
Brockway also claimed victory in the junior varsity game, 45-35. Brendan Winslow led the Wolverines with nine points.
SHEFFIELD (57): Mark Sprandle 3 1-4 8, Brendan Winslow 1 0-0 2, Kalil Slaughter 8 2-7 18, Nick Bonavita 3 0-0 7, Ike Nearing 4 1-4 11, George Fitch 3 5-6 11, Totals 22 9-21 57
BROCKWAY (59): Braun 2 0-0 6, Rogos 2 0-0 6, N. Anderson 5 1-3 12, Fortunato 5 0-4 11, Miller 3 0-0 8, Serafini 3 0-0 6, C. Anderson 4 0-0 8, Hatfield 1 0-0 2, Totals 25 1-7 59
Sheffield 16 19 9 6 7 - 57
Brockway 10 12 17 11 9 - 59
3-pointers: B-Braun 2, Rogos 2, Miller 2, N. Anderson; S-Nearing 2, Bonavita, Sprandle
Junior varsity game
SHEFFIELD (35): Kipp 1 0-0 2, Reynolds 2 3-4 8, Burt 1 2-3 4, Winslow 3 3-3 9, Petersen 1 2-2 4, McNeil 1 2-2 4, Fitzgerald 2 0-0 4, Totals 13 12-14 35
BROCKWAY (45): Spirk 0 2-2 2, Anderson 5 1-2 12, Perrin 2 0-0 6, Titler 2 4-6 8, Puhala 0 2-4 2, Powers 1 0-0 2, Olivio 4 1-2 10, Hrinya 1 0-0 3, Totatls 15 10-16 45
Sheffield 13 6 2 14 - 35
Brockway 15 0 15 15 - 45
3-pointers: B-Anderson, Perrin 2, Olivio, Hrinya; S-Reynolds