Roundup: Brooks' breakout game gives GC Region 4 road win at Sharon, 48-39
Feb. 26—SHARON — When the late North Carolina State University men's basketball coach Jim Valvano coined the term "Survive and advance," little did anyone realize that axiom would be apropos for PIAA players in 2021. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent 3-week PIAA pause, scholastic basketball teams are playing 3 or more games in a week, sometimes on back-to-back nights.
"That is the making of a great region," assessed Grove City High boys' Head Coach Chris Kwolek, following his Eagles' escape from Sharon, 48-39.
"On any given night, it doesn't matter. That's the making of a very good region, top to bottom," Kwolek continued. "There's no off nights in this region (4), and anybody can get clipped. Sharon seems like they have their full roster right now, and they're ready to play and you saw it (Thursday) night."
Michael Brooks' game-best 25-point, 11-rebound double-double eased the Eagles' path to victory. The teams were tied at 19 at intermission, then Brooks' 7 straight points helped give Grove City a 29-21 lead with 3:48 remaining in the 3rd quarter, and it never trailed. Dylan Stull stuck a trey with 3:20 left in the quarter as the Eagles extended their edge to 32-21.
"He makes you look like you know what you're doin' when you're coachin'" Kwolek quipped. "But really, that's just an individual player makin' plays. I will say we put him in some situations to let him create in spots like that. Our offense runs through him, yet we have a lot of guys that have to make sure they're doin' their part, makin' sure they're screenin' right, runnin' him off screens comin' back when he's feeling pressured.
"He got pounded inside, and I give (Sharon Head Coach Zach) Sarver credit for makin' sure (Brooks) didn't get anything easy. But Michael's a 'game-time' player and he's a definitely a collegiate basketball player at seventeen-years-old."
"Our coaches always talk about us takin' it hard to the basket. ... I just flipped the switch, and just turned it on and went," began Brooks, who got to the glass for Grove City seemingly at will. But Brooks, besides his game, believes, "My best attribute is leadership, gettin' the guys together, helpin' them out and just talkin' about everything."
The 1st half featured a half-dozen deadlocks and 7 lead changes, but Brooks broke out for 18 second-half points, including 5 of 6 free-throw opportunities in the game's last 24.9 seconds.
Shawn Hill hit a right-wing, banked triple, trimming the Tigers' deficit to 39-35 with 2:49 remaining, but that was as close as Sharon got to Grove City.
With the win the Eagles enjoyed their 4th in the last 5 games, and Grove City (8-4, 8-6) is "trending up, and that's where you want to be at this time, especially goin' into the playoffs," Brooks said.
Sharon (5-9, 6-12) — 24 hours removed from an upset at Sharpsville — was led by Brett Salsgiver's 16 points and 5 rebounds; Connor Porterfield, who snared a team-high 7 rebounds, and Brayden Coxson's 5-point, 4-rebound, 3-assist line, while Hill dished out 3 dimes.
Led by Brooks' 9-for-14 performance the Eagles ended 18 for 39 from the floor (46.1%) and his 7-for-9 free-throw marksmanship gave Grove City a 10-for-16 finish.
When asked where Brooks is bound to continue his basketball career, the coy Kwolek demurred, though Thiel College Head Coach Tim Loomis was in attendance.
"(Brooks has made a decision), but it's not going to be disclosed yet," Kwolek said. "Tim and I have become very good friends since Michael Brooks has been one of my basketball players," added Kwolek, who played collegiately at Thiel.
"I love to play basketball. This is what I love to do, just bein' around the guys and bein' around the sport," Brooks beamed.
Notes: Sharon shot 16 for 41 from the field (39%) and converted 6 of 11 freebies. ... Brooks' board-work gave Grove City a 33-22 edge. Isaac Criss collected 7 caroms, also. ... the Tigers turned it over 12 times, while the Eagles ended with 16 miscues.
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In other action:
BOYS BASKETBALL
— Hickory 52, Franklin 49 — At "The Castle" in Franklin, the Hornets (12-0, 16-2) won their 37th straight region game and clinched a share of the region title for the 3rd straight year with the win over the Knights (11-2, 15-5).
Hickory jumped out to a 14-7 lead at the end of the opening quarter and led 31-16 at halftime. The Hornets held on as they were outscored 33-21 in the 2nd half.
Peyton Mele rifled in 21 points to lead Hickory, Jackson Pryts scored 12, Matthew Cannone contributed 7 points, and Joe Fazzone 6.
Easton Fulmer (19 points), Luke Guth (11), Hayden Adams (7), and Zak Smith (5) were Franklin's leading point-getters.
— Slippery Rock 59, Wilmington 53 — It was a shootout in Hounds Town, with visiting Slippery Rock recording the Region 4 road win.
Slippery Rock rolled to leads of 1714, 24-21 and 40-30, respectively, at the conclusion each of the first 3 quarters before the Greyhounds garnered 23 fourth-period points.
John Sabo scored a team-high 18 points and Ethan Plesakov produced 17, while Sam Schwartz scored in double digits by lending 11 for Slippery Rock (2-11, 5-12). Plesakov pumped in a trio of triples.
Wilmington (0-14, 1-19) was led by brothers Anthony and Mason Reed, who rifled in 13 and 12 points, respectively, and Braxton Shimrack, who scored 11. Anthony Reed, Shimrack and Ethan Susen each tossed in 2 treys. Playing better down the regular season's stretch, Wilmington was coming off 75-70 home loss to Union Twp. Wednesday.
Slippery Rock shot 14 for 24 from the sin stripe, while Wilmington went 6 for 12.
— Kennedy Catholic 68, Mercer 60 — In the county seat, the visiting Golden Eagles escaped with the Region 1 road win.
Mercer mustered an 18-14 margin after 8 minutes before KC claimed a 33-26 halftime lead. The host 'Steads outscored Kennedy Catholic, 21-19 during the 3rd period to close within 52-47 entering the final frame.
Elijah Harden hammered home a career-high 25 points — including a handful from beyond the 3-point arc — to key Kennedy Catholic (14-0, 18-2), while Sky'Ler Thomas tallied 15 points and Malik Lampkins-Rudolph recorded 11 and Gio Magestro tossed in a trio of treys.
Mercer (9-6, 11-8) was led by Jake Mattocks' 20 markers, while Logan Turton tallied 17 and Woody Nickel notched another 9.
KC converted 9 of 16 free-throw attempts; Mercer made 5 of only 9 tries. The Golden Eagles ended with 9 treys, compared with 7 for Mercer.
— Rocky Grove 50, Commodore Perry 23 — At Franklin, Rocky Grove only led 3-1 after 8 minutes and 20-14 at halftime, but outscored the Panthers 30-9 in the 2nd half to earn the Region 1 win.
Alex Zinz drained 4 treys en route to 15 points for Rocky Grove (3-11, 3-11), Caden Toscano scored 12, and Isaac Clayton contributed 11 points.
Jacob Castona led Commodore Perry (1-14, 1-18) with 12 points and Karson Cropp chipped in 5.
— Reynolds 53, Jamestown 45 — At Transfer, Coach Dan Kilgore's Raiders (5-6, 5-6) picked up the Region 1 win over the Muskies (2-12, 6-13).
The game was tied 30-all at halftime and the Raiders outscored the Muskies 12-10 in the 3rd quarter and 11-5 in the 4th.
Dietrich Williams led Reynolds with 18 points while Ashton Small and Haydin McLaughlin scored 8 each.
Peyton McElhinny had a game-high 19 points for Jamestown, Cameron Keyser bucketed 11, and Sean McElhinny 6.
— Farrell 50, West Middlesex 34 — At West Middlesex, the Steelers (10-4, 10-7) led 31-19 at halftime en route to the Region 1 victory.
Trian Holden had 11 points for Farrell, which has won 7 straight games, Omar Stewart and Jaiman Holden bucketed 10 each, and Christian Hartley and Lamont Samuels added 8 points apiece.
Richie Preston bucketed 11 points to lead West Middlesex (9-6, 9-9), Luke Atterholt contributed 8, and Hunter Smith and Dominic Hummell both scored 6 points.
GIRLS HOOPS
— Farrell 54, Reynolds 42 — At Farrell, the Lady Steelers (10-3, 14-4) followed up Wednesday's impressive 48-40 win over Region 4 Lakeview with a Region 1 victory over the Raiders (4-6, 6-7).
Reynolds led 22-18 at halftime. Farrell outscored the Lady Raiders 16-4 in the final 5 minutes of the game. On Wednesday, the Steelers outscored Lakeview 21-0 in the 4th quarter.
Sanaa Brodie and Deryah Stewart led Farrell with 15 points each and Gabby King bucketed 11.
Halle Murcko had 16 points for Reynolds, which was coming off a 37-29 loss to Mercer on Wednesday, and Mackenzie Herman chipped in 8.
— Jamestown 25, Rocky Grove 24 — On Senior Night at "The Fish Tank in Jamestown, Coach Jen McElhinny's Lady Muskies (2-9, 2-11) rebounded from Wednesday's 35-30 triple-overtime loss at Rocky Grove to beat the Orioles (1-10, 1-10) in the Region 1 clash.
Rocky Grove led 10-2 at the end of the opening quarter and 15-6 at the break. Jamestown outscored RG 19-9 in the 2nd half to pick up the win.
Staci Weimert and Savannah Thurber led Jamestown with 8 points each and Taylor Keener contributed 7 points.
Abby Williams scored a game-high 13 points for Rocky Grove and Rylee Reed added 7 markers.
— Kennedy Catholic 72, Commodore Perry 14 — At Hermitage, Coach Justin Magestro's Lady Golden Eagles (11-0, 14-0) remained unbeaten with the Region 1 win over the Panthers (1-8, 1-8).
Paris Gilmore rifled in 20 points for KC, Bellah DiNardo scored 16, Isabella Bianco bucketed 12, Hayden Keith contributed a dozen points, and Keegan McConahy chipped in 9 markers.
Mackenzie Hause paced Commodore Perry with 6 points and Grace Jones chipped in 4.
— Greenville 49, Sharpsville 33 — At Greenville, the Lady Trojans (9-1, 13-2) picked up the Region 4 win and snapped Sharpsville's 3-game winning streak.
Sharpsville held a slim 5-4 lead at the end of the opening quarter, but Greenville outscored the Devils 15-7 in the 2nd frame to take a 19-12 halftime lead. The Trojans held a 30-21 scoring edge in the 2nd half.
Jaidah Rosario rifled in 22 points for Greenville, Amy Batt bucketed 12, and Grace Cano contributed 6 points.
Alli Davis led Sharpsville (6-3, 7-6) with 10 points, Breanna Hanley scored 8, and Chasie Fry chipped in 7 points.
— Grove City 52, Hickory 19 — At Grove City, Coach Chris Burtch's defending District 10 Class 5A Lady Eagles improved to 10-2 in Region 5 and 13-2 overall with the win over the Hornets (7-4, 8-10).
Becca Santom led GC with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals, Piper Como scored a season-high 12 points, and Alli Lewis added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Also, Clara Hannon contributed 6 points and dished out 7 assists and Emma Santom added 6 points and 5 boards.
McKenzie Gustas led Hickory with 8 points and Aniyah Anderson contributed 6.
BOYS BASKETBALL
GROVE CITY 10 9 15 14 48
SHARON 10 9 4 16 39
GROVE CITY — Stull 1-0-0-3, Hostetler 2-0-0-5, Knouse 1-1-4-3, Brooks 9-7-9-25, Norris 2-0-0-4, Criss 1-2-3-4, Lutz 2-0-0-4, Haggart 0-0-0-0, Pereira 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Stull 1, Hostetler 1. Totals: 18-10-16-48.
SHARON — Coxson 2-1-2-5, Hill 2-0-1-5, Porterfield 2-2-2-6, Driver 2-3-3-7, Salsgiver 8-0-1-16, Nixon 0-0-2-0, Wilder 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goal: Hill 1. Totals: 16-6-11-39.
JV: Grove City, 54-36. Josh Dreves 17 points, Langdon Ferguson 9 for Grove City; Labron Wilder 14 for Sharon.
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HICKORY 14 17 9 12 52
FRANKLIN 7 9 14 19 49
HICKORY — P. Mele 6-7-7-21, Cannone 3-0-2-7, T. Mele 0-0-0-0, Hudson 0-0-0-0, Boal 1-0-0-3, Fazzone 1-4-4-6, Pryts 5-2-4-12, Evans 1-1-3-3. 3-pt. goals: P. Mele 2, Cannone 1, Boal 1. Totals: 17-14-20-52.
FRANKLIN — C. Adams 1-0-0-3, Smith 2-0-0-5, Fulmer 6-5-6-19, Guth 4-3-6-11, H. Adams 3-0-1-7, Leccia 0-0-0-0, Curry 2-0-0-4. 3-pt. goals: Fulmer 2, C. Adams 1, Smith 1, H. Adams 1. Totals: 18-8-13-49.
JV: No score reported.
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SLIPPERY ROCK 17 7 16 19 59
WILMINGTON 14 7 9 23 53
SLIPPERY ROCK — Prementine 0-2-2-2, Sabo 7-2-6-18, Plesakov 6-2-2-17, Wolak 1-3-4-5, Gordon 1-1-2-4, Vogan 0-1-2-1, Schwartz 4-3-6-12. 3-pt. goals: Plesakov 3, Sabo 2, Gordon 1, Schwartz 1. Totals: 19-14-24-59.
WILMINGTON — A.Reed 5-1-2-13, Edwards 1-0-0-2, Susen 3-0-0-8, Shimrack 3-3-5-11, Hess 0-0-0-0, M.Reed 5-1-1-12, Phanco 3-1-4-7. 3-pt. goals: A.Reed 2, Susen 2, Shimrack 2, M.Reed 1. Totals: 20-6-12-53.
JV: No score reported.
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KENNEDY 14 19 19 16 68
MERCER 18 8 21 13 60
KENNEDY CATHOLIC — Harden 9-2-4-25, Magestro 3-0-0-9, Owens 0-2-4-2, Lampkins-Rudolph 5-1-2-11, Young 3-0-0-6, Thomas 5-4-6-15. 3-pt. goals: Harden 5, Magestro 3, Thomas 1. Totals: 25-9-16-68.
MERCER — Turton 7-2-2-17, Nickel 3-1-2-9, Co. Grossman 1-0-0-3, Mattocks 9-0-2-20, Haines 0-2-2-2, Pugh 3-0-0-6, Ellison 1-0-1-3. 3-pt. goals: Nickel 2, J. Mattocks 2, Turton 1, Grossman 1, Ellison 1. Totals: 24-5-9-60.
JV: No score reported.
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COMM. PERRY 1 13 7 2 23
ROCKY GROVE 3 17 16 14 50
COMMODORE PERRY — Thomas 0-0-0-0, Dr. Yeagley 0-0-0-0, Cropp 1-3-4-5, Saxe 0-0-0-0, Stringert 1-2-4-4, Ja. Castona 4-3-4-12, Jo. Castona 1-0-0-2, Jones 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goal: Ja. Castona 1. Totals: 7-8-12-23.
ROCKY GROVE — Toscano 6-0-1-12, Stevenson 0-0-0-0, Whitman 2-0-0-4, Clayton 4-1-1-11, McMullen 1-2-2-4, Wolfgong 0-0-0-0, Henderson 0-2-2-2, Zinz 5-1-2-15, Bell 0-1-2-1, Ritchey 0-0-0-0, Gregory 0-1-4-1, Baker 0-0-0-0, Whitling 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Zinz 4, Clayton 2. Totals: 18-8-14-50.
JV: No game.
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JAMESTOWN 16 14 10 5 45
REYNOLDS 13 17 12 11 53
JAMESTOWN — Parks 2-0-1-4, Hill 1-0-2-2, S. McElhinny 2-0-0-6, P. McElhinny 8-1-2-19, Keyser 5-0-0-11, Popielarcheck 1-0-0-3. 3-pt. goals: S. McElhinny 2, P. McElhinny 2, Keyser 1, Popielarcheck 1. Totals: 19-1-5-45.
REYNOLDS — McLaughlin 3-0-0-8, Walker 1-4-4-6, Small 4-0-0-8, D. Williams 9-0-0-18, Mull 3-1-2-7, Loposky 3-0-0-6. 3-pt. goals: McLaughlin 2. Totals: 23-5-6-53.
JV: No score reported.
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FARRELL 14 17 13 6 50
W.MIDDLESEX 10 9 7 8 34
FARRELL — Butler 0-1-2-1, Hartley 4-0-1-8, T. Holden 4-2-7-11, Stewart 3-4-4-10, J. Holden 5-0-0-10, O'Kane 0-0-0-0, Wilson 1-0-0-2, Samuels 3-1-2-8, Strickland 0-0-0-0, Scarbrough 0-0-0-0, Richardson 0-0-0-0, Satterwhite 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: T. Holden 1, Samuels 1. Totals: 20-8-16-50.
WEST MIDDLESEX — H. Smith 3-0-2-6, Shrawder 0-0-0-0, Rococi 0-1-2-1, Hummell 2-0-0-6, Shick 0-2-2-2, Rea 0-0-0-0, Greenburg 0-0-1-0, Preston 4-1-4-11, Atterholt 3-2-5-8. 3-pt. goals: Hummell 2, Preston 2. Totals: 12-6-16-34.
JV: Farrell, 52-36. Kylon Wilson 21 points, Nasir O'Kane 11 for Farrell. Gio Rococi 12 for West Middlesex.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REYNOLDS 14 8 10 10 42
FARRELL 6 12 18 18 54
REYNOLDS — Murcko 8-0-0-16, Herman 3-2-4-8, McLaughlin 2-0-0-6, L. Miller 1-0-2-2, Zachrich 1-0-0-2, Mull 1-0-0-2, A. Miller 3-0-0-6. 3-pt. goals: McLaughlin 2. Totals: 19-2-6-42.
FARRELL — Burns 1-1-2-3, Stewart 6-1-2-15, Brodie 6-2-4-15, King 5-1-3-11, Scott 1-0-0-2, Green 4-0-0-8. 3-pt. goals: Stewart 2, Brodie 1. Totals: 24-5-11-54.
JV: No game.
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ROCKY GROVE 10 5 4 5 24
JAMESTOWN 2 4 10 9 25
ROCKY GROVE — Cresswell 0-2-2-2, Williams 3-7-10-13, Montgomery 0-0-0-0, Rice 0-0-0-0, Kee 1-0-0-2, Reed 2-3-6-7. Totals: 6-12-18-24.
JAMESTOWN — S. Weimert 3-1-4-8, L. Keener 0-0-1-0, T. Keener 3-0-0-7, Varano 0-0-0-0, Thurber 3-2-4-8, A. Weimert 0-1-2-1, Stevenson 0-1-2-1. 3-pt. goals: S. Weimert 1, T. Keener 1. Totals: 9-5-13-25.
JV: No game.
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COMM. PERRY 2 4 4 4 14
KENNEDY 30 28 9 5 72
COMMODORE PERRY — Jones 2-0-0-4, Hause 3-0-0-6, Riley 1-0-0-2, Eber 1-0-0-2, Boozer 0-0-0-0. Totals: 7-0-0-14.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC — DiNardo 7-1-2-16, Bianco 5-0-0-12, Keith 4-0-0-11, Gilmore 9-1-1-20, Jones 0-1-2-1, Lombardi 1-0-0-3, McConahy 3-3-4-9. 3-pt. goals: Keith 3, Bianco 2, DiNardo 1, Gilmore 1, Lombardi 1. Totals: 29-6-9-72.
JV: No game.
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SHARPSVILLE 5 7 11 10 33
GREENVILLE 4 15 16 14 49
SHARPSVILLE — Kratko 1-0-0-3, Fry 3-0-0-7, Kimpan 0-2-2-2, Messett 0-0-0-0, Davis 3-2-2-10, Hanley 4-0-4-8, Grandy 1-0-0-3. 3-pt. goals: Davis 2, Kratko 1, Fry 1, Grandy 1. Totals: 12-4-8-33.
GREENVILLE — Mallek 1-0-2-3, Schaller 0-0-0-0, Batt 5-0-4-12, Harpst 0-0-0-0, Rosario 11-0-0-22, Cano 3-0-0-6, Kelley 1-0-0-2, Lewis 2-0-0-4. 3-pt. goals: Batt 2, Mallek 1. Totals: 23-0-6-49.
JV: No score reported.
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HICKORY 0 4 6 9 19
GROVE CITY 16 13 12 11 52
HICKORY — Beach 0-0-0-0, Gustas 4-0-2-8, Jones 1-1-2-3, Anderson 1-4-6-6, Duncan 0-0-0-0, Fustos 0-0-2-0, Swanson 0-1-2-1, Koerth 0-1-2-1. Totals: 6-7-16-19.
GROVE CITY — Hannon 3-0-0-6, Como 5-0-0-12, Lewis 4-0-0-8, Hammel 1-0-0-2, Perample 0-0-0-0, B. Santom 7-0-0-14, E. Santom 3-0-2-6, White 0-0-0-0, Reiber 2-0-0-4, Severson 0-0-0-0, Collins 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Como 2. Totals: 25-0-2-52.
JV: No score reported.
