Ross highlights opening and ending quarters to lead Lancers in big win over Hughesville

BRETT R. CROSSLEY/FOR THE LOYALSOCK LANCERS

Loyalsock’s Anthony Pastore drives the basket for a quick two points against Hughesville. Pastore scored nine points in the second quarter to help the Lancer defeat Hughesville, 58-40.

 

BRETT R. CROSSLEY/FOR THE LOYALSOCK LANCERS

Loyalsock’s Bam Brima attempts a layup after making a steal and driving the length of the court. Brima played an outstanding game defensively as the Lancer limited Hughesville to just 12 first half points.

 

BRETT R. CROSSLEY/FOR THE LOYALSOCK LANCERS

Loyalsock’s Hunter Webb attempts to grab a rebound during a game against Hughesville. Webb finished with seven points and led a strong defensive effort for the Lancers.

By BRETT R. CROSSLEY

For the Loyalsock Lancers

HUGHESVILLE—It’s always a tough environment when Loyalsock hits the road and heads to the Hughesville for a basketball game.

The Hughesville fans are always fired up, but the students always seem to rise a cut above even that. Throughout the warmups the students did not disappoint, counting every missed shot the Lancers took.

The final count got to 47, but once the game started those misses were far and few between as the Lancers pulled away early. The defense took care of the rest to pull out a 58-40 win over the Spartans to move to 3-0 on the season.

“We are one of those teams that feed off that kind of stuff,” Hunter Webb said. “That’s just our attitude. It’s just our mentality. We are going to come hardnosed right at you. If your fans start to get into it and go after us we’re going to show you what we have on the court and we did that tonight.”

Loyalsock received contributions from all over the court at all different times of the game. Hunter Webb and Ban Brima were outstanding defensively as the Lancers limited Hughesville to just 12 first half points.

Webb also scored seven points, pulled down five rebounds, and added a block. Brima was more of a defensive specialist as he tried to find his groove offensively. He had a nice steal in the second half and drove the length of the court, but came up short on the layup. Even with the missed shot, Brima still proved he’s going to be a force for the Lancers.

“This is a collective group of guys who enjoy playing defense,” Webb said. “That’s what’s so special about us, because we enjoy that. It sets us up to make special plays on the offensive side of the court.”

Gerald Ross opened the game strong, scoring nine points, blocking two shots and recording a steal over the first eight minutes of the game. Dating back to last weekend’s Tip-off Tournament, Ross has been outstanding for the Lancers. In the opening game of the season he sparked a second half comeback, scoring 16 of his team-high 21 points to help the Lancers open with a win. He scored nine in the team’s tournament-clinching game, but came back to drop 19 against the Spartans.

“It’s team defense,” Loyalock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said. “They are showing enthusiasm on the floor and that turns into tenacious defense on the floor.”

The second quarter of the game belonged to Anthony Pastore as he scored nine points to lead the Lancers in a 19-point effort. His biggest moment came with less than a minute ticked off the clock in the quarter. He was fouled driving for a layup, made the bucket, and then hit a free throw to give Loyalsock a 16-3 advantage.

“We started running our offense and spreading out the court,” Pastore said. “Once we do that it’s so much simpler to get to the basket.”

The third quarter was difficult for the Lancers, who were forced to weather a storm from the home team. All told the Spartans outscored the Lancers 18-10 over the stretch as the hometown crowd came to life in support.

Ross got back to form in the fourth, scoring eight more points to lead the Lancers, who outscored the Spartans 18-10 over the run.

 

Loyalsock 58, Hughesville 40

SOCK 11 19 10 18—58

Hughesville 3 9 18 10—40

Loyalsock (58)

Brandon Bauman 0 0-0 0; Gerald Ross 8 2-3 19; Collin Graver 2 0-0 6; Anthony Pastore 3 4-5 10; Connor Watkins 3 0-0 6; Mitchell Klingerman 5 0-3 10; Bam Brima 0 0-1 0; Hunter Webb 1 5-5 7; Derek Gee 0 1-2 1; Aiden Gair 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 12-19 58.

Hughesville (40)

Stephen Sheets 0 0-4 0; Patrick Rogers 0 0-0 0; Devon Bushor 4 2-2 10; Matt Myers 2 3-4 9; Taylor Mason 5 0-0 11; Isaiah Savage 1 0-0 3; Clayton Poust 1 1-2 3; Jaret Stroup 1 0-0 2; Logan Woolcok 0 0-0 0; Steve Millheim 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 6-12 40.

3—Point Goals: Hughesville 3 (Ross, Graver 2). Loyalsock 4 (Myers 2, Mason, Savage).

Records: Hughesville 0-2. Loyalsock 3-0.

Next: Hollidaysburg at Hughesville, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Loyalsock at Milton, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

JV Score: 77-44, Loyalsock.

High scorers: Loyalsock: Tyler Hertwig, 9. Hughesville: Steve Milheim, 9.