Loyalsock’s Gerald Ross makes a tough layup underneath the basket during the first quarter of a game at Jersey Shore. Ross was electric throughout the game, scoring 33 points, pulling down five rebounds, and a steal and block. Loyalsock went on to record a 67-54 win over the Bulldogs.
Loyalsock’s Mitchell Klingerman does in a layup during a game against Jersey Shore. Klingerman scored nine points for the Lancers, who knocked off Jersey Shore 67-54.
Loyalsock’s Brandon Bauman goes in for a difficult shot over a Jersey Shore defender for a quick bucket. Bauman started for the Lancers and finished with four points, three rebounds, and a block as the Lancers defeated Jerseys Shore 67-54.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
For the Loyalsock Lancers
JERSEY SHORE—The quickest way to get a bad taste out of your mouth is to swiftly take a bite of something with better flavor.
For Loyalsock, the taste of Saturday’s loss to Montoursville was one that needed to be replaced quickly. Many on the team had called it a low point and it’s hard to argue.
The Lancers quickly put the loss and taste behind them with 26 points in the opening quarter against Jersey Shore. The points and production just kept coming for the Lancers, who ultimately downed Jersey Shore, 67-54.
“They were excited and enthused to come out and put that game in the archives,” Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said.
Loyalsock’s offense looked dialed in from the jump. Mitchell Klingerman hit three consecutive baskets to get the offense going, scoring seven points with just a minute ticked off the game clock.
“It was a good start, because of that start it helped us progress through the game,” Klingerman said. “It just happened I was in the right place at the right time and they got me the ball.”
Klingerman opened the game with a quick two. He then found an open spot on the three-point line. Loyalsock’s ball movement quickly found Klingerman, who converted the three. Loyalsock’s next possession ended with Klingerman scorning his seventh point. He later converted a layup in the fourth quarter to help put the game away for Loyalsock.
Klingerman opened hot, but so did Gerald Ross, who appeared to take the loss to Montoursville personally. Ross scored 13 points over the first eight minutes as Loyalsock built a 26-13 lead. Ross connected on five of his seven attempts from the floor in the opening quarter.
“We are tying to make the PHAC Championship and we know we need to win out,” Ross said. “We have to beat everyone in our conference and we need some other things to happen. We just came in strong.”
Ross and the offense slowed in the second quarter, but the defense continued to play well. It held the Bulldogs to just eight points. Junior Armstrong, who led The Bulldogs with 24 points, paced the offense in the second quarter. He finished with six points, two rebounds, and a steal.
Armstrong was nearly unstoppable in the third. He scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. He did a good job of following his shots and converting rebounds into points.
Loyalsock switched to a zone in an effort stop Armstrong, who still managed to hit two shots from the floor and get to the line twice in the fourth quarter.
Armstrong’s game was outstanding, but Ross was just a little better, topping all players with 33 points. He also blocked a shot, pulled down five rebounds, and added a steal.
“He had his composure and he was stroking it,” Insinger said. “He just put on an exhibition.”
Loyalsock 67, Jersey Shore 54
Loyalsock (67)
Brandon Bauman 2 0-0 4; Gerald Ross 3 3-5 33; Collin Graver 1 1-2 3; Anthony Pastore 2 2-4 7; Connor Watkins 2 2-2 6; Mitchell Klingerman 4 0-0 9; Bam Brima 0 0-0 0; Aiden Gair 1 2-2 5; Ryan Sullivan 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 10-15 67.
Jersey Shore (54)
Darren Stetts 0 0-0 0; Jason Dincher 3 0-0 6; Hunter Frantz 0 0-0 0; Nate Ewing 8 1-3 21; Tanner Lorson 1 0-2 2; Cody Stetts 0 1-2 1; Junior Armstrong 9 6-9 24. Totals 21 8-16 54.
LOY 26 9 16 16–67
JS 13 8 19 14–54
3–Point Goals: Loyalsock 7 (Ross 4, Pastore, Klingerman, Gair). Jersey Shore 4 (Ewing).
Records: Loyalsock 14-5. Jersey Shore 9-11.
Next: Loyalsock at Danville, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Jersey Shore at Selinsgrove, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.