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St. Marys edges Warren for second time in a week

Warren’s Devin McMeans goes up for a layup attempt as St. Marys’ Nick Catalone challenges during the third quarter of Monday’s game. For the second time in a week, the Dutch rallied for a win over the Dragons, 42-40.

Same story, different day.

Just a week after St. Marys beat Warren, the two teams met again at Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium on Monday. And just like the first meeting, the Dutch erased a small halftime deficit, this time earning a 42-40 win as Griffin Suppa’s potential game-tying shot fell short at the buzzer.

“This is one that I thought we would win this time,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine. “I’m disappointed. When you make bad decisions at the end of quarters, it costs you.”

What the Dragon head coach was referring to is the fact that the Dutch (3-1) outscored the Dragons (2-3) 9-0 in the final 50 seconds of each quarter, including Anthony Cortina’s two free throws with 47 seconds remaining in the fourth that proved to be the deciding points in the game.

Cortina, who was making his season debut, led the Dutch, who were a perfect 12-for-12 at the free throw line, with 10 points.

Warren’s Tom Bablak gets set to fire a pass past the outstretched arms of St. Marys’ Cahil Parish during the first half of their game on Monday.

“They (St. Marys) know what shot they’re supposed to take, and if it’s not there, they make the right decision and back it out,” Berdine said.

The game was tied 37-37 until Jacob Wilson drilled a corner 3 for the Dutch with two minutes to go.

Jake Kupchella launched a 3 on Warren’s next possession that was just off, but Caleb Ei, who led Warren with a game-high 21 points, got the offensive rebound and kicked the ball back out to an open Kupchella, who buried it on his second attempt to tie the game with 1:12 to go.

After Cortina’s free throws gave St. Marys the lead, Suppa had an open look at a 3 that would have given the Dragons the lead with 15 seconds left, but it was off the mark and the loose ball went out of bounds to St. Marys.

Aidan Morrison stole the ensuing inbounds, giving the Dragons one final look to tie or win the game in regulation.

The state-qualifying Warren Area High School cheerleaders perform during a timeout in the second half of the Warren-St. Marys game on Monday.

“We’re just not doing the little things it takes to win,” Berdine said.

The Dragons started the game strong, thanks in large part to Ei, who scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half.

“Caleb really kept us in the game, especially in the first half,” Berdine said.

They led 7-0 before St. Marys was on the board, but the Dutch were patient against Warren’s 2-3 zone and stayed within striking distance.

An Ei 3 followed by a layup by Tom Bablak gave Warren its biggest lead of the game, 14-5 late in the first quarter, but Cortina scored 4 points in the final 27 seconds to stem the tide.

Warren’s Caleb Ei, who scored a game-high 21 points, battles a trio of St. Marys defenders as he gets a shot up after an offensive rebound during the first half on Monday.

Warren led 25-18 just before the half, but Luke Lasko’s 3 just before the buzzer got St. Marys within 4 at the break.

“We were in a hurry, forced the issue and took some bad shots,” noted Berdine. “Our decision-making has to be better.”

St. Marys took its first lead of the game, 32-31, on a triple from Nick Catalone late in the third, setting the stage for a dramatic final eight minutes.

Cahil Parish, who scored 29 points in the first meeting, was held to just 6, but the Dutch were still able to find a way to win.

Morrison had eight rebounds for Warren and Suppa five assists.

The Flannel Panel was decked out in their beach clothes for Monday's game against St. Marys.

Things don’t get any easier for the Dragons, as they travel to face a solid Titusville team in their Region 6 opener on Wednesday.

The JV team was a big winner, 70-33.

Payton Barnes and Bablak had 12 points each for the Dragons, while Ben Berdine, who also played quality minutes off the bench in the varsity contest, finished with 10.

– – –

ST. MARYS (42)

Lasko 1-0-0-3, Parish 1-4-4-6, Catalone 3-0-0-9, Reiter 2-2-2-8, Wilson 2-0-0-6, Cortina 3-4-4-10, Walker 0-0-0-0, Totals 12-12-12-40

WARREN (40)

Morrison 3-0-0-6, Kupchella 1-0-0-3, McMeans 1-0-0-2, Ei 8-3-4-21, Suppa 2-2-2-6, Bablak 1-0-0-2, Berdine 0-0-0-0, Grosch 0-0-0-0, Funari 0-0-0-0, Totals 16-5-6-40

By Quarters

St. Marys 9 12 11 10 – 42

Warren 14 11 6 9 – 40

Three-point FGs: St. Marys (8) – Catalone 3, Wilson 2, Reiter 2, Lasko; Warren (3) – Ei 2, Kupchella

– – –

JV

ST. MARYS (33)

Thornwart 0-0-0-0, Nunes 1-1-8-3, Housler 3-1-2-10, Lenze 3-1-1-8, Rusciolleli 3-0-0-9, Walker 3-0-0-9, Caskey 1-0-0-2, Schlimm 0-1-2-1, Totals 11-4-13-33

WARREN (70)

R. Arnold 4-0-0-9, Rafalski 2-1-2-6, Berdine 4-2-2-10, Bablak 6-0-1-12, Gustafson 1-0-0-2, B. Arnold 1-0-0-2, Hussey 2-1-2-6, Borger 1-1-1-3, Swanson 2-0-0-4, Barnes 5-1-2-12, Salapek 2-0-0-4, Totals 30-6-11-70

By Quarters

St. Marys 5 10 14 4 – 33

Warren 21 11

19 19 – 70

Three-point FGs: St. Marys (7) – Walker 3, Housler 3, Lenze; Warren (4) – R. Arnold, Rafalski, Hussey, Barnes

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