Lack of offense costly in loss to Bellaire

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

Bellaire (10-2) got one back from Onaway (9-4) Wednesday night, using a third quarter run to build a double digit lead and then held on in the fourth quarter with solid free throw shooting. The Eagles earned the season split, 50-41. Onaway pulled out a win at Bellaire earlier in the season.

JUNIOR CORTEZ Washington (10) and senior Cody Morell (1) secure a rebound in action from Friday’s Snowcoming game. The Cards battled back from an early deficit, but sent the big crowd home with smiles on their faces. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

 

Wednesday’s game in Onaway could have gone either way. The Cards scored the first basket of the third quarter to tie the game at 20, but the Eagles went on a 9-2 run.

Onaway coach Eddy Szymoniak called time out and changed the defense from a 2-3 to a 1-3-1.

“I think that played a part,” said Szymoniak. “We were in a rhythm all night. I think it was responsible for one of their 3-pointers at the end of the third quarter. That took a lot of wind out of their sails.”

Following the timeout at the 3:22 mark of the third, Pat Dunn scored on a put back and converted a foul shot for a 3-point play to get the deficit to five, 29-24.

The Cards just could not put the ball in the basket on subsequent possessions and did not score again until 5:35 was left in the fourth when Billy Moran fired in a three.

The Eagles already had gone on a 9-0 run with a pair of 3-pointers and a 3-point play.

“Offensively, we did not get to the basket like we should have,” said Szymoniak. “We were not aggressive enough. We were trying jump shots when we should have been attacking them. They played a tight-man (defense), and I think we could have got them into foul trouble.

“I am going to take the blame on that one. I should have enforced that a little more and told them to get to the basket.”

Joe Sigsby had three fouls at the midway point of the second quarter and sat until halftime, but the Cards still kept it close. However, Sigsby could not be as aggressive on defense. He finished with nine points.

Bellaire coach Stan Sexton said, “Both teams played a good game here tonight, working hard on defense. We got a little offensive spurt in the third, got a lead, and were patient on offense.”

After Moran’s 3-pointer, Bellaire answered with another 3-point play to get the lead back to 13.

Dunn had 14, while Bellaire sophomore Gabe Meriwether had a game-high 23.

The Cards defeated Pickford last Friday in the homecoming game, 61-50. They needed an early wake up call when the Panthers jumped out to an 11-2 lead.

The boys were aggressive and getting to the free throw line in the first quarter, but they missed all eight chances. They got balanced scoring from five players in the second quarter and took an 18-17 lead at halftime.

“The last few games, we have not had the shots falling

for us,” said Szymoniak. “Some of our guys are really pressing.”

Before the game athletic director Marty Mix led the large snowcoming crowd in a moment of silence for longtime Onaway athletic supporter Mick O’Meara, who passed away Jan. 28 at the age of 91.

Mix said O’Meara had attended thousands of Onaway sporting events.

The Onaway junior varsity is on a three-game winning streak with an 11-2 record. Wednesday, they defeated Bellaire 41-39. Randy Tibbits had a team-high 15 points, while Trevor Wregglesworth put in 13.

Wregglesworth poured in 20 in a 44-30 win over Pickford.

Tibbits had 22 in a 46-42 win over Joburg.