Tyrone’s Junior High Boys Basketball team traveled last week to Philipsburg, Tuesday, and Huntingdon, Friday, and found the road a little rough last week.
The Mounties were quick to jump on the Eagles with their speed and went on an early 6-0 run and stayed in a taunting 1-3-1 half court trapping zone defense the entire game. The Mounties forced a lot of turnovers and disrupted the Eagles the entire game. Tyrone never really found a rhythm offensively but led at the break 25-24. The second half was much like the first, but the officials were quite busy in this game sending the Mounties to the line 22 times and the Eagles 27.
The Mounties converted 12 of their free throws while Tyrone could only make a miserable seven, for a lousy 25% average. “It came down to the free throws in this game,” said coach Stever. “We had a lot of chances to put them away down the stretch but just couldn’t get it done today.”
The Eagles had a slim 39-38 lead with four seconds remaining. The Mounties had to go the length of the court to score and somehow made two passes to half court, then dribbled from half court while being contested for the winning lay up to defeat Tyrone 40-39.
Jim Ferguson had his best outing of the season leading the way with 18 points followed by Jared Templeton’s solid effort with 12.
The Bearcats of Huntingdon, have proved to be the best team the Eagles have faced to date defeated Tyrone in a well played game 41-33.
“Huntingdon is well coached and have a solid team that sticks together and play year round,” said Stever. “They play really tough defense, and made it tough to score. We actually played our best offensive game of the season.”
The Eagles led 12-11 following the first period, but had some foul problems and an injury in the second period and lost that stanza 14-4. Following the break down 25-16 the Eagles would battle with the Bearcats and won the second half 17-16, but could not make up the difference from the second period.
Rich Stever led the Eagles scoring with 13 points followed by Jim Ferguson’s eight.
Tyrone’s younger squad continue to dominate opponents in style defeating P-O 49-28, and Huntingdon 30-17. Nick Patton led scoring at PO with 14 points followed by Charles Wilson with 11. Kaleb Chronister led the way against the Bearcats with eight points and solid defensive effort.
The Eagles a busy this week visiting Bald Eagle Tuesday, and hosting Bellefonte Thursday and Roosevelt Friday.
