After demolishing Clearfield Thursday, the Golden Eagles looked to earn their third straight win in their contest against the Williamsburg Blue Pirates. They did just that, jumping out to an early lead over the Pirates and never looking back.
Despite playing their second game in as many nights, Tyrone’s starters were fresh for their final home game of the season.
“That was important getting them rest,” Tyrone Head Coach Mike Harris said, as his starters only played in half of their game against Clearfield. “We practice shorter now, we have to get our guys ready for the playoffs.”
Tyler Mertiff started the game’s scoring, with teammate Brady Hoover hitting a bucket only 15 seconds later to give Tyrone the early lead. Williamsburg came right back, as Nate Cadle hit a three pointer, was fouled, and converted the free throw to tie the game up.
However, the Blue Pirates would never own a lead in the game, and the 4-4 tie would be as close as they would get. The Golden Eagles struck back with a 6-0 run, fueled by a pair of Hoover baskets. Williamsburg returned fire with a pair of free throws and a Zach Jones three, but after the Golden Eagles responded with a 7-0 run they had jumped out to a 17-9 lead.
Things got worse for the Blue Pirates in the second quarter. Hoover started the quarter with a three-point play, and after a pair of Mertiff buckets, the Golden Eagles were up 24-10. After a Pirate two pointer, Hoover and Mertiff combined for a 6-0 run. From here the Blue Pirates drained two three-pointers en route to an 8-0 spurt, but four Mertiff points down the stretch kept Tyrone firmly ahead. Mertiff tallied 10 of his 16 points in the second quarter, helping his Eagles to a 14 point halftime lead.
“It’s a great way to go out,” commented Mertiff after his Senior Night win. “The last three games (Mike) Ashcroft’s been pushing the ball, that’s a key to the game. We go as Ashcroft goes. We’re going into the playoffs on a run same as last year, on a three game win streak.”
Mertiff and his Eagles came out of the locker room on fire, pulling away from Williamsburg with a 20-5 third quarter. Hoover scored six of his game high 21 points in the first four minutes of the third, with his third bucket of the quarter putting Tyrone up 48-22. After a Pirate bucket the Golden Eagles scored eight straight, four of them coming from Dan Domenick. Another Cadle three pointer showed some life from the Blue Pirates, but after Ashcroft hit a baseline jumper his Eagles were heading into the final quarter up by 19.
“Mike Ashcroft is really picking up his game,” stated Harris on his senior point guard. “He’s really pushing the ball, and that’s helping us get easy buckets instead of killing ourselves in the half court offense.”
The Tyrone starters took a seat in the fourth quarter, making way for the junior varsity Eagles to close out the game. The jayvee Eagles displayed a well rounded, smart game during their varsity playing time, as five different players scored for Tyrone in the final quarter while they played keep away to burn time off the clock. Adam Hoover led the jayvee Eagles in the fourth, scoring four points and hauling in four rebounds.
“It’s same scenario it was last year,” said Harris. “We’ve won three straight games, we’ve got a lot of momentum going into the playoffs against coach Nevins and Central up at Hollidaysburg junior high next Thursday. Our guys are really focusing on our goals. The seniors didn’t want to come out last night, but I told them our goal wasn’t tonight, but two weeks from now at Saint Francis for the district championship. They know that, and they’re focused and ready to go.”
Hoover grabbed eight rebounds to go along with his 21 points, while Mertiff earned a double-double by hauling in 14 boards. Ashcroft played a good all-around game to support Tyrone’s offense, scoring six points, grabbing six rebounds, and handing out nine assists.
Tyrone’s junior varsity earned a win in their game against the Blue Pirates, edging out the visitors 59-52. Josh Crabtree led Tyrone with 12 points, while Shane Gherrity and Nick Cushion added ten. Cushion nailed a pair of three-pointers for the Golden Eagle jayvees, who are now 15-4.
Tyrone 68 Williamsburg 40
Individual Scoring
TYRONE-Mertiff 7 2-2 16, B. Hoover 10 1-1 21, Ashcroft 3 0-0 6, Gummo 1 0-0 2, Wilson 1 0-0 2, Domenick 4 1-2 9, A. Hoover 2 0-0 4, Hershberger 1 0-0 2, Gherrity 1 0-0 2, Chamberlain 0 0-0 0, Cushion 1 0-0 2, Crabtree 0 2-2 2. TOTALS 31 6-7 68
WILLIAMSBURG- Prough 0 0-0 0, Jones 4 2-2 12, Cadle 5 2-3 14, Cuffey 0 0-0 0, Lehman 2 0-0 5, Mattera 1 2-2 4, Kennedy 1 0-0 3. TOTALS 13 6-7 40
Score By Quarter
Tyrone 17 19 20 12 – 68
Williamsburg 9 13 5 13 – 40
Three-Point Field Goals: Williamsburg- 6 (Jones 2, Cadle 2, Lehman 1, Kennedy 1);Tyrone- 0
