Loyalsock’s Anthony Pastore drives to the basket during a game against Central Mountain. Pastore led all Loyalsock scorers with 24 points as it defeated Central Mountain 87-68.
Loyalsock’s Mitchell Klingerman drives to the basket after a steal against Central Mountain.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
For the Loyalsock Lancers
LOCK HAVEN—In the middle of the second quarter, Central Mountain made its move and tied Loyalsock after a strong start from the visitors.
It would be the only time Loyalsock and Central Mountain would be tied as the Lancers scored the next 10 points to take a lead it would not let go of for the rest of the night. Anthony Pastore scored 24 points, Connor Watkins added 17, and Gerald Ross stayed hot after Monday’s game to drop 17 as the Lancers defeated Central Mountain, 87-68.
The win gives Loyalsock a 15-5 record as it prepares for a Saturday afternoon tilt against Athens. For Central Mountain, which won the HAC-I, it will hit the road for a trip to Mifflinburg.
As for Friday night’s game, it was senior night for Central Mountain, but the night belonged to the Lancers, who scored 20 or more points in all but one quarter.
“I was pleasantly surprised and very pleased with the team,” Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said. “When we needed a deuce we got it one way or another. Whether it was with hustle, a forced turnover, or off a rebound. I was really pleased with Bam (Brima) coming in.”
The Lancers, who were already short handed after injuries and players leaving the team, were stretched even thinner as Brandon Bauman was out due to sickness. Bauman has been an important piece lately. He’s started a handful of games and helped with rebounding and points.
In his absence, Brima was given the nod to start and delivered for the Lancers. Brima, sporting No. 23 for the first time all season, was outstanding in the second quarter when Central Mountain attempted it’s comeback.
“He was very strong and steady inside for us,” Insinger said. “He stays in his stance and has good lateral movement. When we switch and he ends up with a mismatch I still feel comfortable.”
Brima was able to rotate on defense and contain players much smaller and quicker. Brima was great at using his wing span and length to redirect shots and steals passes. He finished the night with a steal, eight points, and six rebounds.
“I was just trying to pick the team up anyway I could,” Brima said. “It says don’t count us out. We can play with anyone.”
All of the Lancers contributed in the win. Watkins was especially good underneath. He finished with 17 points, and a steal, but was also able to pull down 10 rebounds for a double-double.
Watkins helped the Lancers close the game out with eight of his 17points in the final quarter of the game. He also added a steal and two rebounds to help cushion the lead.
“This was huge, coming down we knew they won their division,” Watkins said. “We just have to win. We knew they were a good team and we were coming down on Senior Night. They had a lot to come out and play for, but we were ready.”
Pastore was outstanding for Loyalsock. He opened game with four consecutive makes from the floor to finish with eight. He didn’t cool off at all, scoring four in the second and six in the third. He added another six in the fourth to finish with a season-high 24 points.
Since dropping a difficult league contest at Montoursville, Loyalsock has rebounded nicely to claim two consecutive wins. Today’s game will be crucial to the overall season as the possibility of heading to Danville Monday on a three-game winning streak would go a long way for the Lancers.
Loyalsock 87, Central Mountain 68
Loyalsock (87)
Gerald Ross 8 0-0 17; Collin Graver 0 0-0 0; Anthony Pastore 11 2-2 24; Connor Watkins 8 1-2 17; Mitchell Klingerman 4 0-0 10; Bam Brima 4 0-0 8; Aiden Gair 4 0-0 11; Ryan Sullivan 0 0-0 0. Totals 39 3-4 87.
Central Mountain (68)
Issiah McCann 4 0-0 9; JT Pentz 0 0-0 0; Collin Jones 11 7-8 30; Matthew Storeman 6 1-1 14; Addison Thomas 0 0-0 0; Jake Skritch 2 0-0 6; Conner Soo 2 0-0 5. Totals 26 10-11 68.
LOY 24 22 23 18–87
CMT 19 14 20 15–68
3–Point Goals: Loyalsock 4 (Ross, Gair 3). Central Mountain 6 (McCann, Jones, Storeman, Skritch 3).
Records: Loyalsock 15-5. Central Mountain 11-7.
Next: Athens at Loyalsock, Today, 2:30 p.m. Central Mountain at Mifflinburg, Today, 7:30 p.m.
JV Score: 51-39 Loyalsock
High Scorers: Loyalsock: Rees Watkins, 22. Central Mountain: Genzel, 10.