“The kids fought back when they needed to fight back,” said Sheffield Head Coach Jordan Copley. “Closed that deficit in the first half and capitalized in the second.”

Several minutes into the first quarter, Copley pulled all five starters off the floor and tapped into the bench for a much-needed spark. The Wolverines were able to slow down the Hubbers’ offense just enough to catch a few breaks and set up the starters in the second quarter.

“If I can’t get the product I’m looking for from my starters, I’m going to play the kids on the bench who are willing to do what I asked them,” said Copley. “Honest to God they did exactly what they needed to do to spark the run. When my starters got back in there, they capitalized.”

Back in the game, the starters took that spark and added rocket fuel, scoring 23 points, with Connor Finch dropping an aggressive ten, and Mason Silvis, Leihden Wotorson, and Gage Mott-Macalush all hitting crucial shots from beyond the arc. Sheffield went into the half down just one point.

Sheffield’s Connor Finch makes a move on Smethport’s Carson Dunn during his team leading 13 point performance Tuesday night. Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms

Coming out of the half, Copley was adamant about keeping the foot on the gas and not letting up on defense.

“I just told them the press is working,” said Copley. “We got to stay active. You could see the defensive intensity pick up immediately the second they got back in there. Keep the pressure on them at full court. Make them make the mistakes and we’ll capitalize on those.

Sheffield would score 22 over the next two quarters, while holding the Hubbers to twelve. Finch led the Wolverines with 13 points to go with his five rebounds and four blocks.

“All year we’ve been telling him, go straight up,” said Copley of Finch’s game changing blocks in the second half. “It’s not about the showtime block, it’s about getting the block. Tonight, it seemed like he was getting to the peak, getting them at a high point, and stopping them from getting to the hoops.”

Mason Silvis drained three three-pointers, scoring 11 points, while Lucas McNeal and Wotorson both had seven a piece.

Sheffield will face Kane, who defeated Youngsville 62-41 earlier in the evening, Wednesday night for the Championship.

SHEFFIELD (45)

Finch 5 3 13, Silvis 1 0 11, McNeal 3 0 7, Wotorson 2 0 7, Mott-Macalush 1 0 5, Fiscus 1 0 2. Totals 13 3 45.

SMETHPORT (36)

Alfieri 3 0 12, Dunn 1 0 8, Leet 2 2 6, Watson 3 0 6, Cole 2 0 4. Totals 11 2 36.

3 Point Goals: Sheffield – Silvis (3), Wotorson, Mott-Macalush; Smethport – Alfieri (2), Dunn (2).

Sheffield 0 23 12 10 – 45

Smethport 12 12 10 2 – 36