Loyalsock’s Sadie Wentzel sings the National Anthem before Loyalsock takes on Lewisburg.
Loyalsock’s Gerald Ross goes in for a difficult shot during a game against Lewisburg.
Loyalsock’s Bam Brima stands near the foul line during a game against Lewisburg. Brima excited all the fans when he threw down a monster dunk during the fourth quarter of the game.
Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger stands at the sideline during a game against Lewisburg.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
For the Loyalsock Lancers
WILLIAMSPORT—Before the Loyalsock’s game against Lewisburg, Lancers coach Ron “CI” Insinger challenged Gerald Ross.
At times, Ross is the most talented player on the court. He displayed those skills throughout the early portions of the season, but a recent bout with sickness forced him to miss a game. He came back with a little rust, but consider that all gone.
Ross scored 13 points in the second quarter alone to finish with a game-high 25 as Loyalsock defeated Lewisburg 67-43 to complete the season sweep and move to 13-4.
“Every time down the floor I wanted the ball,” Ross said. “My teammates are great at getting me the ball. My head coach is great at running plays for me to get me open. All the credit to them.”
Ross was electric through the second quarter. Insinger challenged him to be more aggressive with the ball and Ross showed little to no hesitation when attacking Lewisburg’s defense.
He connected on a three to open the game, but scored 12 of his 13 second quarter points inside the pant. That even included a steal and dunk. In the middle of the quarter, Anthony Pastore intercepted a ball near the foul line and gave a nifty fake to set Ross up for a layup. Ross was fouled on the attempt and canned the free throw moments later to give Loyalsock a 21-11 lead.
“We came out flat and gave up those two buckets at the end of the quarter to cut it to three,” Ross said. “I felt like we needed a little break and wanted to help get the score up. We have a tough game at Montoursville to end the week and we are going to need some rest.”
Ross only missed one shot in the second quarter, but was aided by Connor Watkins, who finished the first half with eight rebounds and a equal amount of points. Watkins helped get Loyalsock overcome a flat start, pulling down five rebounds and scoring four points. The Lancers also blocked three shots in the quarter as Brandon Bauman, Ross, and Klingerman all registered a block.
Loyalsock finished the game with 27 rebounds, six blocks, and limited Lewisburg to single digits in three of the four quarters.
“I knew everybody as a collective unit we had to crash the glass,” Watkins said. “We need to be aggressive on all facets. Offensively, we especially want a lot of second and third chances. That’s just the way we like to play. I just came out tonight with an extra edge and tried to crash a lot.”
Loyalsock scored 40 of its 67 points in the closing quarter of each half. In the opening quarters of each half it was all about the defense. The Lancers posted three blocks in both the first and third quarters of the game.
“Bam and Brandon down low have such long arms,” Watkins said. “They are awesome down low. They both just do a very good job of staying down and waiting for the shot.”
One player plenty jacked up for the game was Bam Brima, who showed off some of his offensive moves through the third and fourth quarters. In the third, Brima stole a ball at the middle of the court and quickly made his way to the basket. He displayed quickness not seen all year as he took a quick step and went for a dunk. He missed and would miss again a few moments later. In the fourth, he wouldn’t miss. Brima took a ball underneath the basket and quickly put it up for a one-handed dunk.
“Just feeling good,” Ross said of the dunks. “My legs were feeling good from practice yesterday. Bam got one to go. It was good for crowd.”
Loyalsock 67, Lewisburg 43
Lewisburg (43)
Ben Liscum 3 0-0 6; Aaron Hoover 1 0-0 3; Coleman Witherite 3 2-2 8; Nathan Dreher 0 0-0 0; Nicholas Shedleski 4 2-3 11; Peter Lantz 3 0-0 7; Andrew Ramirez 1 0-0 2; Calvin Mabry 1 0-0 2; Josh Gose 1 1-2 3. Totals 17 5-7 43.
Loyalsock (67)
Brandon Bauman 3 2-4 8; Gerald Ross 11 1-1 25; Collin Graver 1 0-0 2; Anthony Pastore 4 1-3 10; Connor Watkins 7 0-0 14; Mitchell Klingerman 0 2-4 2; Bam Brima 3 0-0 6. Totals 29 6-16 67.
LEW 9 9 5 23–43
LOY 12 21 15 19–67
3–Point Goals: Lewisburg 3 (Liscum 2, Hoover). Loyalsock 3 (Ross 2, Watkins).
Records: Lewisburg 6-12 (2-6). Loyalsock 13-4 (7-1).
Next: Lewisburg at Danville, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Loyalsock at Montoursville, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
JV Score: 74-55 Loyalsock
High scorers: Lewisburg: Charlie Blough, 11. Rees Watkins, 25.