“Any time you play Elk County, you’ve got to expect pressure,” said Sheffield head coach Jordan Copley. “Defensive pressure and discipline and they did a good job at putting the pressure on us offensively tonight and doing things we wanted to do.”

Sheffield trailed by three going into the second quarter, but the Crusaders’ Jordan Wasko was able to hit two 3-pointers and go 2 of 2 at the free-throw line to extend the Elk County lead to 15. Sheffield’s lone basket in the second came off an Allen Eaton free throw.

“Tonight, we played defense and I know the score doesn’t reflect that,” said Copley. “The usual looks that that team gets when you’re doing certain things weren’t necessarily there tonight. Skipped passes getting jumped, a lot of that is our fault with offensive staleness. But the kids did a great job running the 3-2 (zone) tonight. Extending and taking away the paint. They did the things they had to do to be in the game in the first quarter. We kind of let it get away from us in the second quarter.”

The Crusaders opened up in the third quarter, dropping 17, including another nine from Wasko who led Elk County with 18 points from beyond the arc, and 26 total.

Times Observer photo by Cody Elms Sheffield’s Allen Eaton drives past a Crusaders defender during Friday night’s 55-21 loss in Sheffield.

“They’re fundamentally sound,” said Copley of Elk County. “They don’t ever get out of position. They play their spots well. That’s why they’re so successful. Unfortunately, tonight they just kept us from the hoop.”

Leihden Wotorson hit a 3-pointer with five minutes remaining in the quarter, to score Sheffield’s first points since midway through the second quarter. Wotorson totaled 6 points and Eaton pulled down five rebounds.

Sheffield seniors Dylan Hardwick and Alex Richards were praised in their final home game of their high school careers by Copley, who has coached the pair since his first season as head coach.

“They’ll be successful in anything they do. They work hard. They come in here every night and work hard. If they put forth that effort in anything they do, they’ll be fine.” said Copley. “Alex and Dylan have been great for the program. They’ve been here for four years and they’ve helped me build the program from day one.”