WHS Boys Basketball Start With A Win

Friday - December 4: The WHS Boy's Basketball team opened the season at home with a convincing win over the Beaver Local Beavers. It's been said that speed kills and the Tigers proved it. Just ask the Beavers.

Following the opening tip-off the Beavers jumped out to a 5 - 0 score before the Tigers put their first points on the board. After getting that first basket the Tigers took off running and it was all down hill the rest of the night for the Beavers. Shortly afterwards the Tigers maintained a double digit lead over the Beavers for the rest of the game. After one period the score was 29 -15, after two it was 42 -30 and at the end of the third quarter it was 60 -48. By the time the buzzer sounded at the end of the game the final was Wellsville 85 - 67.

The tallest Tiger is Jeremy Carter at 6'2" and I believe the next is 6'0" for a couple of other players. However, what they lack in height they make up with quickness. We saw a couple of fast breaks going to the basket before the Beavers even got to half court. With their running, tenacious defense and following the ball on offense we know we're going to see some exciting games before the end of the season.

Highest scorer in the game was Tiger Mike Johnston with 22 points followed by Carter with 18 and DeShon Pullie with 16. Both Johnston and Pullie were perfect on the night from the free throw line. The only high note on the evening for the Red & White is that the Beaver Reserves won their game by a score of 63 - 56.

The Tigers got a jump on the season defeating the Salem Quakers 75 - 69 in a benefit game last Tuseday. Although the game doesn't go into the record books it was a win against another higher division opponent. Starting this year the OHSAA allows basketball teams to play one additional game for a charitable cause. The proceeds from the Salem game went to a scholarship fund. Nunzio Lombardozzi was high man in that game with 21 points. Pullie picked up six stitches on the side of his forehead in that game but it didn't slow him down last Friday.

Wellsville goes on the road next week traveling to Leetonia on Friday, December 11. The following Tuesday, December 15, they travel to Lowellville. They'll be back home Friday, December 18, against Western Reserve. WHS Sports Station announcer Joe Surace said they won't be in Leetonia but will be broadcasting the Lowellville game on the 15th.

Good Luck Tigers. Keep running them down!

ole nib