Saturday - February 13: Except for a brief lull in the third quarter it was a thing of beauty in men's high school basketball. Saturday evening the Tigers hosted the Toronto Red Knights. Spotting a look of shear despair a couple of times on a few of the Toronto player's faces we think the Red Knights were glad the thrashing was over when the buzzer sounded out to signal the game was over. To paraphrase Reporter Aaron Petchal they knew it was coming. They just couldn't stop it.
From Jalen DeSarro skying the open tip-off to that final buzzer the Tigers took off running for most of the night. Toronto got within five points in the third but it was for a short duration. The guys in the orange & white uniforms took off again. For us it was exciting watching DeSarro rebounding the ball under the opponents basket, turning and while standing inside Toronto's key, pass that ball practically the length of the floor to lead a fast break for two more points. The accuracy of those passes made us wonder what he could do with a football. DeSarro had a triple double on the night.
The Tigers improve to 15 - 2 on the season with Saturday's win. The final score was Wellsville 89 - 62. They ran, they controlled the boards and scored. The newspaper reported they had 47 rebounds in the match. Michael Johnston lead the Wellsville scoring with 19 points followed closely by DeSarro & Jeremey Carter with 18 apiece and DeShon Pullie with 16. Carter also recorded a double-double. The Tigers rang up seven 3-pointers led by Johnston with four and Jordan Dalrymple, Nunzio Lombardozzi and Pullie netting one each. This team has speed that is unbeatable when they take off. They can jumped like they are all at least 6' 6" tall and they rack up those assists with some unbelievable passing. It's not difficult to figure out why they are the best team in the area. They are a balanced team that's unstoppable when they are hot.
With a 26 point lead Coach Thompson cleared the bench with 2:05 left in the game. Those fellows off the bench didn't let up on the Red Knights. We almost felt sorry for the boys in red.
The Reserves also won the J.V. game. Sean Hudson led the Tigers with 19 points followed by Mike Miller with 15 in that game. Final score was Wellsville 45 - 39. They got some good up and coming talent on that team.
The Tiger men return to action this coming Friday at home vs. United. They may wrap up the regular season a week from tomorrow, Feburary 23, at home in a make-up game against Sebring. We're told it is unknown yet whether the cancelled Southern Local game will be made up.
The Tigers drew a #3 seed yesterday in the ITCL Lower Tier following #1 undefeated McDonald and 16 & 1 Youngstown Christian. Wellsville will play Heartland Christian to open their district play Tuesday, March 2, 6 o'clock at the Struthers Field House. Winner of that game will return to Struthers March 5 to take on the winner of the Canton Heritage Christian - Lake Center Christian game. That's another 6 P.M. game. Winners of that game go back Monday, March 8. The District Championship is scheduled for Friday, March 12, at Struthers. The district champs move on to the Regionals at the Canton Fieldhouse.
With what we've seen all season there is no doubt that the Tigers can't do it. We believe. We're also praying they get another shot at McDonald on their way to Canton. We know it's one game at a time but...
Incidentally, nice press coverage on Saturday's game in yesterday's newspapers. Thanks. Figured when we saw Wayne Maris with extra batteries it was going to be better than what happened the day before.
Go Tigers!
ole nib
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