Loyalsock’s team huddles moments after the starter were introduced before taking on Milton in the final of two league meetings.
Loyalsock’s Bam Brima jumps for the opening tip during a league game against Milton. Brima finished with a steal, three rebounds, a block, and two points as Loyalsock knocked off Milton, 72-54.
Loyalsock’s Bam Brima goes in for a dunk after intercepting a ball near the middle of the court. Brima was fouled on the attempt.
Loyalsock’s Anthony Pastore goes in for a driving layup during a league game against Milton. Pastore scored ten points and hit both attempts from the foul line to help give Loyalsock a 72-54 win.
Loyalsock’s Collin Graver stands near the foul line during a league game against Milton. Graver helped the Lancers opened strong, nailing three treys in the first quarter.
Loyalsock’s Brandon Bauman goes in for a drive during a game against Milton. Bauman stepped up in a big way for the Lancers, who were without leading scoring Gerald Ross.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
For the Loyalsock Lancers
WILLIAMSPORT—It’s that time of year when sickness and questionable health situations arise to strike the masses.
Loyalsock basketball, despite being filled with young athletes in peak physical shape, couldn’t avoid the unsee illnesses lurking throughout the world as leading scorer Gerald Ross missed Wednesday’s game due to sickness.
Ross, who should be back for the Saturday’s game against Williamsport, was missed, but it gave other players a chance to step up and fill the void. Mitchell Klingerman lead all scores with 23 points, Collin Graver added nine points on three treys, and Connor Watkins was his steady self with 14 points.
It all added up to a 72-54 win for the Lancers over Milton. It also guaranteed Loyalsock a spot in the District 4 playoffs. Every player who saw time for the Lancers scored at least two points.
“We had a good practice yesterday coming into this game,” Graver said. “We had good ball movement going in the beginning of the game. It was in the flow of the offense. It just happened it was me.”
No player embodied the opportunities more than Graver and Brandon Bauman. Graver, who finished with nine points off three treys, opened the game with the first six points to get Loyalsock up early.
“That was a great start,” Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said of Graver’s triples. “You don’t know what you’re going to get every time, but he’s got great range for us.”
Graver helped Loyalsock close the first out with an 11-point lead. He finished the opening quarter with nine points, a steal, and two rebounds.
As Graver got Loyalsock off to a fast start Bauman helped maintain that lead through out the night. He saw the most minutes of any game of the season and made the most of the chance, scoring eight points, pulling down three boards, and blocking a shot.
“He can play any position and I have confidence in him,” Insinger said. “Hopefully, when he gets both his legs under him he’ll be even better.”
What won’t show up on the stat sheet is Bauman bringing the ball up the court and running the offense. Bauman was crucial to the Lancers success over the final two quarters. In the third, he scored six points and added a rebound as the Lancers scored 25 points over the stretch.
“It was a lot more rotation, getting guys in the rhythm of the game was a key part,” Bauman said. “I just always try to play my role no matter what. It was an important win to take us into the Williamsport game. We moved the ball around well. Stuff like that usually gives you the easy buckets.”
Loyalsock was outstanding at the start of each half. Of the Lancers 72 points, 50 came in the first and third quarters combined. They also out-rebounded the opposition once again as Klingerman and Webb led the way. Klingerman led all scorers with 23 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds, six of which came in the third quarter.
Klingerman appeared to be on right from the get go, scoring seven points in the opening quarter off a trey and two 2s.
Loyalsock 72, Milton 54
Milton (54)
Eric Council 1 0-0 3; Tony Manzano 9 3-5 24; Qamar Bradley 2 2-4 7; Quaylin Rice 2 0-0 4; Alex Garcia 5 2-4 14; Brandon Feltman 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 7-13 54.
Loyalsock (72)
Brandon Bauman 3 2-2 8; Collin Graver 3 0-0 9; Anthony Pastore 4 2-2 10; Connor Watkins 5 3-4 14; Mitchell Klingerman 9 4-6 23; Bam Brima 1 0-4 2; Hunter Webb 1 1-3 3; Aiden Gair 0 3-4 3. Totals 26 15-25 72.
MIL 14 13 14 13–54
SOCK 25 9 25 13–72
3–Point Goals: Milton 7 (Council, Manzano 3, Bradley, Garcia 2). Loyalsock 5 (Graver 3, Klingerman, Watkins).
Records: Milton 2-11 (0-6). Loyalsock 11-3 (5-1)
Next Lewisburg at Milton, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Loyalsock vs. Williamsport at Loycoming College, Saturday, 3 p.m.
JV Score: 81-55 Loyalsock.
High Scores: Milton:Allen, 22. Loyalsock: Herwig, 21.