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Wolverines drop AML crossover battle with visiting Brockway

Sheffield’s Tyler Hepinger floats in a layup during a game against Brockway at Sheffield High School, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018.

Brockway’s Carter Adams wasted little time Wednesday showing Sheffield why he’s considered one of the best players in District 9.

The senior point guard scored 16 first-quarter points, 12 coming on three-pointers, to lead the Rovers to a 76-54 win over the Wolverines.

“Adams is one of the best players in D9 and he’s not afraid to let you know it,” Sheffield coach Mike Knapp mused. “They’re all fast, athletic and can shoot.”

Sheffield got out to an early 4-0 lead thanks to free throws from Tyler Hepinger and Matt Dunham, then Adams and Anthony Esposito hit threes on back-to-back possessions to put Brockway up 6-0 and get the Rovers offense running.

The Rover duo connected on six threes in the quarter and scored 22 of Brockway’s 28 points in the frame.

The Wolverines weren’t committing many errors, but a combination of cold shooting and foul trouble led to a 28-12 deficit after one.

“We were fouling too much, and we’re not accountable on defense,” Knapp said.

Eleven of the 12 Brockway players registered at least one point in the game as head coach Rick Clark used the entirety of his bench with regularity throughout the game.

The Rovers held a 51-23 lead at the half, but the Wolverines started the third quarter by creating turnovers and knocking down shots in transition.

The Rovers didn’t exactly slow down, but did just enough to maintain a comfortable lead.

Jake Vinopal got his first career varsity start and the freshman did not disappoint. Vinopal led the Wolverines with 16 points and eight rebounds.

“Jake was great tonight,” Knapp said. “He’s really turned himself around this year, on and off the court. He wants to be good and he works hard. Sometimes he’s just his own worst enemy.”

Knapp also made use of his entire bench and said he was pleased with the way the older players blended with the younger guys on the court. He also had high praise for a pair of role players.

“Nate Benson has worked very hard to get in shape and he gave us valuable minutes when our big men got in foul trouble,” he said. “Mitch McNeal had a strong game as well.”

Adams led a trio of Rovers in double figures with 22 points. Zane Puhala had 13 points and Noah Vokes had 11 in the win.

Things won’t get any easier for the Wolverines as they host another D9 powerhouse in Elk County Catholic Friday.

– – –

BROCKWAY (76)

Heckman 0-2-2-2, Puhala 5-3-4-13, Salada 1-1-2-3, Vokes 6-0-4-11, Clark 0-2-2-2, Esposito 3-0-0-9, Adams 6-6-6-22, Freeman 3-0-0-8, Wood 1-2-2-4, Ginther 1-0-1-2, Lecates 0-0-2-0

SHEFFIELD (54)

Davidson 2-0-0-5, Vinopal 8-0-0-16, Hepinger 1-5-6-7, Dunham 1-8-8-10, Albaugh 3-1-1-7, McNeal 2-0-2-4, Peirce 1-0-0-2, Laufenberger 1-0-0-2, Benson 0-1-5-1, Kyler 0-0-0-0, McGraw 0-0-0-0, Filegar 0-0-0-0, Camp 0-0-0-0

By Quarters

Brockway 28 23 12 13 – 76

Sheffield 12 9 16 17 – 54

Three-point FGs: Brockway (10) – Adams (4), Esposito (3), Freeman (2), Vokes; Sheffield (1) – Davidson

– – –

JV BROCKWAY 61, SHEFFIELD 54, OT

Sheffield came back to tie the game with five seconds left in regulation, but couldn’t keep pace through the extra frame as Brockway went on to win the junior varsity contest 61-54 in overtime.

Connor Johnson banked in a three-pointer with just over five seconds left on the clock and Brockway couldn’t get a buzzer beater to fall, sending the game into the overtime.

Walker Kyler led the Wolverines with 15 points, while Mitch McNeal added 11 in the loss.

– – –

BROCKWAY (61)

Heckman 7-5-8-20, Drall 0-0-0-0, Clark 1-8-11-10, Alec Freemr 7-4-5-18, Cramer 2-0-0-6, Bennett 1-0-0-2, Snell 2-1-2-5, Koehler 0-0-2-0, Duckett 0-0-0-0, Buttery 0-0-0-0, A. Freemer 0-0-0-0

SHEFFIELD (54)

Kyler 6-2-4-15, Vinopal 6-0-0-12, Johnson 2-1-3-6, Russo 4-0-0-8, McNeal 5-1-3-11, Benjamin 1-0-0-2, Campbell 0-0-0-0, Albaugh 0-0-0-0, Lester 0-0-0-0, Stoltz 0-0-0-0, O’Donnell 0-0-0-0

By Quarters

Brockway 8 16 11 15 11 – 61

Sheffield 9 5 17 19 4 -54

Three-point FGs: Brockway (3) – Cramer (2), Heckman; Sheffield (2) – Kyler, Johnson

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