Rovers Bite Golden Tide 53-36 After Early 17-0 Run

CURWENSVILLE — Brockway took advantage of an eight-minute scoring drought by the Curwensville Area High School boys basketball team in the first half to build a double-digit lead and went on to triumph 53-36 in their Allegheny Mountain League South Division opener in Patton Hall Tuesday night.

Four points by R.J. Olson and two by Quamone Newkirk had the Golden Tide in front 6-3 midway through the first quarter.

Then, the Golden Tide went cold, and the Rovers reeled off the next 17 points, six by Corey Carr. Five of his teammates also scored before Newkirk drove for a scoop shot with 4:14 left in the half.

“Right now, we’re having trouble getting into our offense,” Curwensville coach Shane Pentz said. “We’re not setting screens inside. We’re not making quick cuts. We’re not using screens. It’s causing our point guard to kind of have to dribble and dribble and dribble. And guys are guarded on the wings.”

Another factor in Curwensville’s second loss in as many nights was turnovers, as Brockway’s man defense forced 25, the majority coming in the first three periods when the Golden Tide couldn’t reach double figures in points.

The Rovers, coming off losses to defending District 9 Class A champion Clarion-Limestone and Brookville in overtime in the Brookville Tip-Off Tournament, were up 25-12 at intermission and gradually increased the spread to 53-26 before the Golden Tide netted the last 10 points.

Quenton Jackson and Quade Lundberg had 10 points apiece while Corey Carr and Jared Rogos added nine apiece for the Rovers. Carr also had a game-high 11 rebounds.

Aside from a trio of three-pointers by Rogos, the bulk of the Rovers’ points resulted from their motion defense creating open drives or easy layins and their rebounders getting putbacks or drawing fouls.

“Defensively, we’re a long way from where we want to be,” Pentz said. “We’re not doing a good job on the ball, and our help side is always a step or two too far away. We’re giving up way too many easy baskets.”

Almost half of Brockway’s 39 rebounds were on their own missed shots.

“Defensive rebounding is just a nightmare for us,” Pentz said. “We’re not boxing guys out and trying to get good position. We’re running to the basket and then trying to out-jump guys. It’s just not working.”

Olson worked hard inside for his team-high nine points and seven rebounds, but the only other player with more than four points was Newkirk with six.

“We just have to do a better job when we’re at practice getting guys ready to play,” Pentz said. “Right now, we look a step slow. Both Clearfield and Brockway have been much, much more aggressive going for loose balls and on rebounding.

“We want somebody else to make a play right now. We’ve gotta step up and make the play rather than hope somebody else does it.”

The Golden Tide must regroup in a hurry, for one of the premier Class A teams in District 9 is up next when they visit Ridgway Friday.

Brockway also won the prelim, 59-42. Avery Francisco and Josh Terry scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Curwensville junior varsity.

BROCKWAY — 53

Quenton Jackson 5 0-0 10, Corey Carr 4 1-3 9, Jake Wineberg 0 0-0 0, Kris Potts 0 0-0 0, Jared Ross 3 0-0 9, Quade Lundberg 4 2-2 10, Hunter Miller 0 0-0 0, Zane Pahula 2 0-2 4, Jarrett Esposito 1 0-0 2, Anthony Clark 2 0-0 4, Andrew Trunzo 2 1-2 5, Timmy Brosky 0 0-0 0, Hunter Antonuccio 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 23 4-10 53.

CURWENSVILLE — 36

Quamone Newkirk 3 0-0 6, Curtis Linsenbigler 0 0-0 0, Zach Marshall 1 0-0 3, Noah Strickland 0 4-4 4, R.J. Olson 4 1-1 9, Ian Barrett 0 0-0 0, Devan Barrett 1 1-2 4, Avery Francisco 2 0-0 4, Josh Terry 0 0-0 0, Nate McKenrick 1 0-0 3. TOTALS: 13 6-7 36.

Three-Pointers – Brockway 3 (Rogos 3); Curwensville 4 (Marshall, D. Barrett, Opaliski, McKenrick).

Score by Quarters

Brockway 12 13 15 13 – 53
Curwensville 6 6 9 15 – 36

Officials – Jerry Carnicella and Craig Witherow.

Golden Tide Scoreboard: