Tyrone had a tough season this year, but managed to propel a 16-8 record in their 2004-05 season. They started out just 1-3, losing two non-conference games in the Hollidaysburg Tournament, and a conference game at Lewistown.
The Golden Eagles did struggle in their first four games, but this did not phase the Eagles as they broke off three straight wins including their first round win in the Kovacik Christmas Tournament at Blairsville against an offensive Berlin force. Tyrone lost the championship game, however, despite being ahead early in the game by 19 points.
Blairsville stood at 9-0 going into the game, and they proved that they were not a pushover in the championship as Tyrone would lose the game by eight.
The 2004 year was over, and in 05’, Kevin Hershberger would make his first appearance of the year as he was out the first eight games with a fracture in his forearm. It was his first game back as Tyrone took on a 2-8 Huntingdon Bearcat squad.
Tyrone swept past the Bearcats with ease, and Hershberger would score five points in his comeback game.
It was at this point where Tyrone would make their run at the MAC’s top seed, winning the first four conference games in the new year and improved their record to 8-4 overall, and 5-1 in the conference, splitting a spot with Bellefonte.
There was a chance for Tyrone to take control of the top spot in the MAC, but they had to play against a well-structured Bellefonte squad at Bellefonte. Tyrone shot just six foul shots and had a long night on defense, losing a big game at Bellefonte despite Wilson’s 17 points, Tyrone’s one of two players to reach double figures, Chamberlain knocked in 12.
Tyrone dropped to 8-5 and 5-2 in the conference, but would take the next three games against Clearfield, Lewistown and Bishop Guilfoyle thanks to a buzzer beater from Adam Corle.
In this game, Tad Chamberlain put on one of his best performances of his career, scoring a season high 24 points and was followed up by Hershberger with 19. Just five Tyrone players scored in the game, but four were in double figures. They successfully knocked off Lewistown and their hopes for the MAC title was in an obtainable distance.
Tyrone had an important game to play at home against Bellefonte in the following week. It was basically a shot to split a first with Bellefonte in the MAC, but Tyrone had to win for this to occur.
It wasn’t a bad game for Tyrone, playing hard the entire game, but trailed 40-26 just a minute into the third quarter. It wasn’t looking so bright for Tyrone, but they made a miraculous run that put the game within a point, 40-39. This was where the game would be for the remainder of the fourth quarter, one point or tied up.
Tyrone had opportunities to win the game, but with under a minute to go, a turnover and allowing an offensive rebound on a missed foul shot sealed the win for Bellefonte and their first place spot.
This game put Tyrone at 11-6 and 7-3 in the conference, good enough for second in the MAC.
The season still had a lot of hope for the Eagles, but after an unusual loss in Indian Valley set Tyrone back a step, where they stood at an 11-7 record and 7-4 in the conference.
With Hershberger and Wilson leading the way, Tyrone bounced back from the two games skid and took down five of their remaining 6 games to end their regular season at 16-8.
Tyrone was given the third seed in the District, where they would receive a bye and waited for the winner of Bishop Guilfoyle and Purchase Line. Being up 2-0 against Bishop Guilfoyle, it probably would be best if they played them since they had already swept them during the season. Well, Guilfoyle won their play-in game, and squared off against the third seeded Tyrone.
It was an ugly game for the Eagles, as they trailed 19-6 after the first quarter, and never really got back into the game until the start of the fourth quarter where they cut the lead to just 54-49 with 43 seconds left in the game, but this was as close as Tyrone got and ended an impressive season in the first round, 59-52 to Bishop Guilfoyle.
Tyrone finished the year at 16-9 and scored an average of 62.2 points per game this season compared to their opponents 58.4 a game. Tyrone was a powerful offensive team, but shot just 64% from the foul line as a team, which may have lost a couple of close games for them during the season.
Kevin Hershberger, Leonard Wilson, and Tad Chamberlain all scored over 200 points this season, Wilson led with 307. Adam Corle and Josh Crabtree were just shy of the 200 point mark as Crabtree finished with 192 and Corle with 196.
Hershberger recorded his season and career high game against Huntingdon at home scoring 31 points, 28 of which were in three quarters. He also broke the school record of six three point field goals in a game with seven of his own (previously breaking this writer’s single-game record). Kevin averaged 14.4 PPG, despite missing the first eight games of the season with an injury. He shot 78.4 percent from the foul line going 40-51. He had a great season to finish off his career at Tyrone.
Tad Chamberlain, another Tyrone senior, recorded his career high of 23 points against Lewistown at home this season. He averaged 11.7 PPG, and shot just 55% from the foul line going 44-80 on the year. Chamberlain dominated the paint for Tyrone, making his stand in the key by tearing down boards in each game. He finished his season at the top of his game and a major improvement throughout his career.
Leonard Wilson, a junior this season, led the Golden Eagles with 307 points and averaged 12.3 PPG. Wilson used his quickness and agility to maneuver past defenders for easy lay-ups inside. His defensive performances were always a key factor in the game as he would always have a big play on the defensive side in the game. His career high of 23 points came against Huntingdon early in the 2005 half of the season. He was 100-132 from the free throw line, good enough for a shooting percentage of 75.7% and third overall next to Jason Haney and Kevin Hershberger. Look for next years season, this kid is going to rock the gymnasium.
Tyrone, despite losing their first round, had a great season and look to improve the next season with all but three remaining starters.
