Warren’s Tommy Nyquist and JT Blum get some support from teammates after forcing a jump ball during a 53-42 Region 5 win over Corry on Friday at Warren Area High School. Times Observer Photo by Jon Sitler

Warren’s boys basketball team improved to 2-0 in Region 5 with a 53-42 win over Corry on Friday at Warren Area High School.

“We needed to come out with a lot of energy and effort and I thought we did that,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine, whose Dragons are 5-3 overall. “I thought Kody (Vega) came out with a lot of energy early. Defensively, between Kody and Tommy (Nyquist)… they gave a lot of energy and effort. Our plan going in was to try to limit (Logan) Joncas’ touches the best we could, and I thought Tommy did a good job doing that… And I thought we did a good job on the glass, limiting second-chance opportunities.”

Prior to Region 5 play, Berdine was adamant the Dragons’ defensive effort improve. In the region opener, Warren held Titusville to 3 first-quarter points before allowing 47 the final three quarters.

He praised Friday’s defensive energy against Corry, especially in the 26-19 first half.

In both the half-court offense and in transition, Warren was aggressive driving to the hoop. JT Blum had 10 of the Dragons’ 14 first-quarter points. He finished with a game-high 17. Owen Becker scored 8 of his 14 points in a 12-8 second quarter, giving Warren a 7-point halftime advantage.

Nyquist was 5-of-6 at the line in the second half and finished with 11 points. He had his hands all over the ball on both ends.

The Dragons took a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter and held it, limiting Corry to 12 field goals (5 from Joncas) in the game.

Corry is 5-2 overall and 0-2 in region. The Beavers dropped their region opener 66-41 on Tuesday at Harbor Creek.

Warren had several blocks underneath in the game, including by Justin Rich as the game was winding down.

Warren also won the junior varsity game, 45-35, earlier on Friday. Braylon Barnes had 11 points and Konnor Hoffman 10 in the J.V. win.

CORRY (42)

Jackson 0 0-0 0, Petty 0 0-0 0, Higley 1 0-0 2, Joncas 5 3-3 15, Rogers 2 0-0 5, Smith 2 4-5 9, James 0 0-0 0, Brundage 2 6-6 11, Reedy 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 13-14 42.

WARREN (53)

Ordiway 2 0-0 5, Barnes 0 0-0 0, Berdine 1 0-2 2, Nyquist 3 5-6 11, Rich 0 0-0 0, Blum 7 2-6 17, Vega 0 0-0 0, Becker 6 2-2 14, Blair 1 0-0 2, Hoffman 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 9-16 53.

3-point field goals: Joncas 2, Rogers, Smith, Brundage, Ordiway, Blum.

Corry 11 8 7 16 — 42

Warren 14 12 11 16 — 53