It was a night to remember in Philipsburg-Osceola Tuesday, as Catich joined an elite club at Tyrone: The 1,000 point club. The senior needed just three points going into Tuesday’s game, and he scored 28. Congratulations to Catich and all that he has done for Tyrone basketball.
After wiping out Penn Cambria Monday, Tyrone looked to make it two in a row as they headed to Philipsburg for a bitter match-up everyone has been waiting for. Tyrone came in with a 9-3 record and left with 10 wins as the Eagles took quarters two, three and four by a margin of 19 points, 50-31.
Tyrone trailed early however, as the Mounties managed to spark a 9-2 run that would only be tarnished by an Eagle 11-5 run, giving the Mounties a 14-13 lead after the first quarter.
What looked to be Catich’s 1,000 point on his first shot from deep in the corner turned out to be a very long two-point bucket. A standing ovation occurred for Catich’s 999 point, but after a couple of adjustments, the scoreboard was back to just two points for Tyrone.
At 1:37 in the first quarter, Catich drove through the lane and finally got the monkey off his back, going into the record books for his 1,001 point. Of course, there was a second ovation, and two ovations were definitely deserved on this night – maybe even three the way Tyrone played.
With momentum on their side, the Eagles looked to break the game wide open by gaining their first lead of the game as they busted off a 10-0 run, putting them on top 23-16. Tyrone forced seven turnovers in the second quarter, consistently putting the heat on Matt Curtis and Joe Komisar in the backcourt.
Johnny Franco chipped in on the 10-0 run with four straight points of his own, along with Catich’s six straight points to end the half. With the score 25-21 at the break, Tyrone looked like they had the game where they wanted it.
JD Mason was in foul trouble early and the Curtis boys were ineffective for the Mounties in the first half.
“I told the guys not to worry about the fans and the hype of the rivalry between Tyrone and Philipsburg,” Tyrone head coach George Gripp stated. “We slowed the pace of the game down and brought their players out of the zone they set-up in, which at that point I knew it was going to be an uphill battle for them trying to contend our players while playing man defense.”
Tyrone came out blazing in the second half, pulling off a 15-4 run behind Catich, Nate Dane and Kyle Updyke. The three tallied up 13 of the 15 on the run, giving Tyrone a nice 15-point cushion, 40-25, with 2:34 left in the third quarter.
Philipsburg did not give up however, as the Mounties sparked a 9-2 run to finish the third, cutting the lead down to a manageable eight points at 42-34. Matt Curtis managed to knock down a trey and two foul shots on the run, as the senior guard was giving everything he had to get his team back in the game.
With a 42-34 lead going into the fourth quarter, Tyrone unleashed the beast on Philipsburg as Catich beat the Mountie press and scored on every touch of the basketball. Catich scored 10 of his game high 28 points in the fourth, finishing a remarkable night of basketball for his career and season.
Tyrone managed to hold off any type of Mountie comeback in the fourth as the Eagles racked up a 19-11 fourth quarter, giving them a 63-45 win at Philipsburg.
“It was a great overall team effort for us tonight. Nate Dane kept [JD] Mason out of his game. We out rebounded them, forced a lot of turnovers and made a lot of our transition baskets when we needed them the most. Matt Curtis and [Joe] Komisar were contained and overall we went in and did everything I had expected, and more. I’m proud of the effort and hope to take the next couple of days and prepare for a rematch against Huntingdon. They have a great defense and if we can soften them up, get rebounds and move the transition offense the way we know how, we should come out on top.”
Tyrone improved to 10-3 on the season with an 8-2 conference record. They still sit atop the conference with the 8-2 record, and continue to show they can hang with anyone. Catich recorded 28 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and four steals in Tuesday’s win over Philipsburg. The senior absolutely dominated the several different defenders who tried to stop him. Dane and Updyke each chipped in double figures again with 13 and 10. The three combined for 51 of the 63 scored for Tyrone, giving them the spread scoring they need to win big games such as this one.
“It is an honor to be among the elite players in Tyrone basketball history,” Catich stated. “My family, friends and teammates have motivated me to be where I am on the court.”
“Steve [Catich] is one of those players who brings out the best in all of us,” senior Johnny Franco stated after the game. “He is a phenomenal player who knows how to involve everyone on the court, and when we need him the most, he is on top of his game. I enjoy watching him play, it’s always a pleasure.”
Tyrone out rebounded the Mounties 34-23, 13 of which were offensive rebounds for Tyrone. Tyrone also won the turnover ratio 20-10. This was the downfall to the Mountie offense on the night as they just could not keep track of the basketball throughout the game.
Mason managed to score 15 points along with 10 from Matt Curtis in the loss, Tuesday night. The Mounties shot out of the gates early, but couldn’t finish off the Eagles.
Tyrone 63 Philipsburg-Osceola 45
Tyrone – Catich 11 6-8 28, Dane 6 1-3 13, Updyke 4 0-1 10, Brooks 2 0-0 4, Franco 2 0-1 4, Peterman 1 0-0 2, Gehret 1 0-0 2. Totals: 27 7-13 63.
Philipsburg – Mason 6 3-4 15, M. Curtis 2 4-4 10, Komisar 2 5-8 9, Whitman 2 1-4 5, L. Curtis 1 0-0 3, Golding 1 1-2 3, Myers 0 0-2 0. Totals 14 14-24 45.
Score by Quarters
Tyrone 13 12 17 21 – 63
P-O 14 7 13 11 – 45
Three-point goals: Tyrone – 2 (Updyke)
Philipsburg – 3 (M. Curtis-2, L. Curtis)
Levi Reihart lit up the Mounties in Jayvee win
Tyrone cruised over Philipsburg, Tuesday night, as the Eagles rode Reihart to the finish as the sophomore guard knocked down six treys in his spectacular performance. He has been sinking three-pointers all season for Tyrone and has been very consistent each game. Andy Brokenshire, Jordan Taylor and Matt Murray all joined Reihart in double-figures tonight, as the four combined for 54 of their 69 points.
Brad Rocco led the Mounties with 16 points in the losing effort.
Tyrone – Reihart 7 0-0 20, Brokenshire 5 3-4 13, Murray 4 3-6 11, Taylor 5 0-2 10, Henneman 3 2-4 8, McKeehan 3 1-2 7. Totals: 27 9-18 69.
Philipsburg – Rocco 5 4-5 16, Senior 5 0-0 13, Swansegar 2 1-2 6, Carpin 1 0-0 3, Baughman 1 0-0 2, Harris 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15 5-7 52.
Score by Quarters
Tyrone 23 14 15 17 69
P-O 9 14 5 14 52
Three-point goals: Tyrone – 6(Reihart)
P-O – 7 (Senior-3, Rocco-2, Swansegar, Carpin)
