“Sheffield is a good basketball team, there’s no doubt about it,” said Youngsville’s acting head voach for the night, Earnie Carlson. “We’re learning.”

After a close first quarter that saw the two teams trading steals and baskets, the Wolverines held a three-point lead going into the second. Tony Richards kicked off the period with a free throw to go up by four, but the Eagles pulled back within two just moments later. The stingy Sheffield defense continued as Caden Copley was able to take advantage of some loose Youngsville ball movement, turning the steal into two points.

Connor Finch and Leihden Wotorson followed up with a score each and with just under 4:30 to go, Sheffield held its largest lead of the night 22-15. The Wolverines would get ahead by eight before Keegan Mesel was able to get the Eagles within four, scoring at the 30-second mark and sinking a jumper at the buzzer to end the half.

“We just talked about executing in transition,” said Sheffield head coach Jordan Copley of the Wolverines’ halftime adjustments. “First of all, the big thing was getting the rebounds. We did a better job at getting those boards in the second half, getting into transition, and getting in the hoop.”

Youngsville’s Koby Hendrickson drives to the hoop. Times Observer photo by Cody Elms

The Eagles looked to be pulling even, climbing to within three points of Sheffield early on in the third period, but the Wolverines started running on all cylinders with under four minutes to go, scoring six unanswered, and going into the final quarter up 52-38 where Sheffield would continue its second-half dominating triple threat of Tony Richards, Connor Finch and Lucas McNeal.

“I think overall the whole team was a little more aggressive in the second half,” said Copley. “Caden did a really good job at getting to the hoop.”

Richards finished with 10 points and McNeal had 11. Both players had six rebounds apiece. McNeal had a team-leading 13 points and seven rebounds.

For Youngsville, Koby Hendrickson 14 to lead the Eagles.

“At the end of the day you’re here to have fun, and if you’re not having fun then what are we doing it for?” Copley said. “Came out in the second half, got a lead, and I think they had some fun.”

Sheffield’s Caden Copley plays tight defense on Youngsville’s Wyatt Dalrymple during Wednesday’s consolation game. Times Observer photo by Cody Elms

The Smethport Hubbers defeated the Kane Wolves to win the tournament.

SHEFFIELD (61)

Connor Finch 5 1-3 11, Tony Richards 3 1-2 10, Lucas McNeal 5 3-11 13, Mason Silvis 0 0-0 6, Gage Mott-Macalush 0 2-2 2, Caden Copley 5 4-5 14, Leihden Wotorson 2 0-0 4, Dylan Hardwick 0 0-0 0, Colby Barr 0 0-0 0, Chetty Madigan 0 0-0 0, Alex Richards 0 1-2 1, Andrew Kyler 0 0-0 0, Michael Mahlic 0 0-0 0, Totals 20 12-25 61

YOUNGSVILLE (46)

Koby Hendrickson 5 1-3 14, Alex Hill 0 0-0 3, Blake Myers 2 1-1 5, Ethan Senz 2 0-0 2, Keegan Mesel 4 0-0 8, Nathan Lucks 4 1-2 9, Lex Leamon 0 0-0 0, Kael Jesperson 0 0-0 0, Wyatt Dalrymple 0 0-0 0, Totals 17 3-6 46.

3-point goals – Sheffield, Richards, Silvis (2); Youngsville, Hendrickson, Hill.

Sheffield 16 13 23 9 — 61

Youngsville 13 12 13 8 — 46