BROCKWAY - After two straight "big" games against Kane and Elk County Catholic, Sheffield boys coach Todd Fitch worried about a possible "trap" game Wednesday at Brockway.
His worries were well founded.
Sheffield "came out flat" and didn't put its best performance forward during a 44-42 upset loss at Brockway Area High School.
"We are twice the team that (Brockway) is," said Fitch. "We just didn't get up for the game. After two big wins over Kane and Elk County Catholic, we had a major letdown tonight."
To make matters worse, the Wolverines were missing three of their key bench players, leaving the team with a marked lack of depth against a scrappy Rovers team.
Despite the depth troubles, the Wolverines found themselves clinging to a 42-41 lead as the game's final 20 seconds ticked away. At that point, Brockway's Fabio Fortunato was able to knock down a deep 3-pointer - his fourth of the game -to put Brockway up by two.
The Wolverines (11-7) were able to work for a final shot and got a good shot, according to Fitch. However, the attempt rattled out and the Wolverines headed home with a disappointing loss.
Ike Nearing led three Wolverines in double figures with 13 points. Nick Bonavita scored 12 points and Kalil Slaughter finished with 10. George Fitch controlled the boards with a game-high 12 rebounds.
The Wolverines were just 7-of-20 at the free throw line in a 40-35 junior varsity loss to Brockway. Kwante Johnson scored 16 points to lead Sheffield.
Things don't get any easier for Sheffield from here. The Wolverines will visit undefeated Ridgway on Friday.
SHEFFIELD (42): Ike Nearing 5 2-2 13, Mark Sprandle 1 0-0 3, Kalil Slaughter 4 2-5 10, Nick Bonavita 5 0-0 12, George Fitch 2 0-0 4, Dylan McNeal 0 0-2 0, Totals: 17 4-9 42
BROCKWAY (44): Braun 3 2-2 8, Fortunato 7 0-0 18, Anderson 1 0-0 2, Rogos 6 0-0 14, Serafini 1 0-1 2, Totals: 18 2-3 44
Sheffield 9 14 9 10 - 42
Brockway 9 17 9 9 - 44
3-pointers: S- Nearing, Sprandle, Bonavita 2; B- Fortunato 4, Rogos 2
Junior varsity game
SHEFFIELD (35): Luke McCracken 0 0-0 0, Kwante Johnson 6 0-0 16, Noah Heeter 3 0-0 6, Dylan McNeal 0 4-9 4, Dylan Reynolds 1 2-2 4, Brandon Kipp 0 0-5 0, Travis Peterson 0 1-2 1, Nic Confer 2 0-2 4, Totals: 12 7-20 35
BROCKWAY (40): Morris 1 0-0 2, Bish 1 0-0 3, Crawford 4 0-0 9, Jose 4 0-0 9, Perrin 1 0-1 2, Carr 1 1-1 3, Titler 4 2-3 10, Puhala 0 0-1 0, Loss 1 0-0 2, Totals: 17 3-6 40
Sheffield 7 8 3 17 - 35
Brockway 8 14 12 6 - 40
3-pointers: S- Johnson 4; B- Bish, Crawford, Jose