Roundup: Steelers right on schedule, Stewart, Owens lead Farrell to 57-44 Region 1 win over Mercer
Jan. 12—FARRELL — This past fall afforded a fun Farrell High football season. Now that many of those same athletes are acclimating themselves to the basketball hardwood, more good times could be in store this winter.
Omar Stewart and Malachi Owens each went for double-doubles Tuesday night, as the Steelers outlasted Mercer, 57-44.
At E.J. McCluskey Gymnasium, Stewart secured a game-high 20-point, 15-rebound double-double and Owens' output amounted to 12 points and 11 caroms.
"They're startin' to come along," 1st-year Steelers' skipper Myron Lowe allowed regarding his dual-sport athletes. "Our 'bigs' are startin' to finish a little bit better ... the guards are startin' to get their legs and startin' to get more pressure on defense. So they're comin' along."
Farrell (5-1 in Region 1, 6-4 overall) forced Mercer into 24 miscues, including 7 during the decisive 4th frame. It was the Steelers' 3rd consecutive win and 4th in the last 5 games.
The teams were tied at 33 through 3 periods as Mercer's Nate Haines hit a shot in the closing seconds. But during the 4th quarter Stewart scored 7 points and Owens 6, and Lamont Samuels converted 4 consecutive free throws.
"Omar, he goes hard every game; every practice he goes hard. So I never have to worry about him not givin' me effort — he'll always do that," Lowe praised. Stewart recently was chosen as an All-State linebacker.
There were just 2 lead changers. Farrell forged a 14-10 lead after a quarter and extended its edge to 22-17 by the break. But a handful of turnovers and 4-for-17 shooting allowed that lead to dissipate.
For Mercer mentor Joe Venasco, while he praised the effort he was well aware of the shortcomings that cost his club.
"We knew comin' in we had to rebound the basketball and couldn't turn it over. And, unfortunately — particularly during the fourth quarter — we really got playin' at (the Steelers') pace," Venasco assessed. "I think it was thirty-three to thirty-three headin' into the fourth quarter, but we got into a little bit of an up-and-down game and we turned it over, and they extended their lead to four, six points and we were chasin' ...
"We simply can't simulate what Farrell does, in practice or any other avenues," Venasco admitted. "The disappointing part is we let it get to that point. We're typically pretty good with the basketball and we rebound well and things of that nature. But we let it get away from us at crucial times.
"Farrell has a tendency to wear you down. We looked at their last several games — Lakeview, West Middlesex — very similar games, close games goin' into the fourth quarter. But Farrell just seems to be able to walk away from you a little bit," Venasco added.
Farrell finished with a 42-31 edge on the glass, and though the Steelers were guilty of 14 turnovers, they did not commit a miscue during the final frame.
Mercer (3-1, 7-3) was led by Woody Nickel and Jake Mattocks, with 12 and 10 points, respectively, and Mattocks and Dom Pugh evenly divided 18 rebounds. Also, Connor Grossman and Nickel notched 4 assists apiece. The Mustangs manufactured 17-for-45 shooting from the floor (37.8%), but converted just 7 of 15 freebies.
The Steelers shot only 22 for 56 from the field (39.2%) and 13 for 27 from the line (48.1%), despite Stewart's respective 7-for-16 and 6-for-9 performance. Kylon Wilson and Samuels split 8 assists and Stewart and Allen Michael Jackson divided another half-dozen. Samuels and Jackson split an additional 16 points — 12 during the 2nd half.
"We're pleased with where we're at," Venasco summarized. "We are what we are. We still haven't had our best player yet this year — Logan Turton broke his fibula in a scrimmage against Wilmington. But he's due back in the next week or so, and we're lookin' forward to gettin' him back. But no excuses," Venasco emphasized. "Our kids play hard, and the guys have filled in very well for (Turton). He just gives us a little bit more offensive punch."
Similarly, Lowe is looking forward to the season's 2nd half — and the postseason.
"We're gettin' better. We're not quite there yet — we're about halfway. I'd say, give it about another, maybe two, three weeks and we'll be ready. The last three games they've been playin' pretty well," Lowe praised, adding, "And it's only gonna get better."
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Also Tuesday:
BOYS BASKETBALL
— Lakeview 42, Jamestown 38 — At "The Fish Tank" in Jamestown, Coach Garrett Blaschak's Sailors improved to 2-3 in Region 1 and 3-6 overall with the win over the Muskies (1-5, 3-7).
Jamestown led 15-13 at the end of the opening quarter, but Lakeview outscored the Muskies 11-2 in the 2nd quarter to take a 24-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Muskies battled back to tie the game 29-all after 3 quarters of play. The Sailors posted a 13-9 scoring advantage in the 4th quarter for the win.
Lane Smith fired in 22 points for Lakeview while Cameron Pence and Cody Fagley chipped in 6 points each.
Cameron Keyser led Jamestown with 11 points, Peyton McElhinny scored 8, and Lucas Popielarcheck added 5 markers.
— Commodore Perry 39, Reynolds 35 — At Sheakleyville, the Panthers (1-4, 2-7) won their first Region 1 game of the year with a 4-point victory over the Raiders (0-5, 3-7).
Commodore Perry led 12-4 after 8 minutes and 22-14 at halftime. The Raiders outscored the Panthers 21-17 in the 2nd half.
Kyle Stringert rifled in 21 points for CP, Karson Cropp scored 6, and Cameron Waid contributed 4 points.
Ashton Small led Reynolds with 11 points, Haden Obenrader bucketed 8, and Noah Geiwitz 5.
— Sharon 37, Wilmington 36 — At Tiger Gymnasium, Coach Zach Sarver's Tigers (1-3, 1-9) picked up their first win of the season in a Region 4 clash against the Hounds (0-4, 1-8).
Wilmington led 11-5 after 8 minutes, 23-21 at the break, and 34-24 after 3 quarters of play. Sharon outscored the Hounds 13-2 in the final frame to rally for the win.
Santino Piccirilli scored 9 points for Sharon, Joe Messina had 8, Derek Douglas 7, and Owen Schenker added 6 points.
Tuff McConahy had a game-high 10 points for Wilmington, Damien Micco bucketed 9, and Pierce Nagel and Will Bruckner contributed 8 each.
— Greenville 65, Sharpsville 60 — At Greenville, the Trojans trailed 18-6 at the end of the opening quarter, but rallied to pick up the Region 4 win.
Greenville (3-2, 6-4) outscored Sharpsville 22-7 in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-25 lead at halftime. The Trojans held a slim 37-35 scoring differential in the 2nd half to hang on for the win.
Jalen Ritzert rifled in 23 points for Greenville and Logan Lentz scored 22. Jase Herrick, Nate Stuyvesant, and Noah Philson all contributed 6 points each.
Mack Staunch led Sharpsville (0-4, 0-7) with a game-high 24 points, James Thomas scored 18, and Liam Campbell chipped in 7 points.
— Franklin 64, Slippery Rock 45 — At Slippery Rock, Franklin improved to 5-0 in Region 4 and 11-1 overall with the win over the Rockets (2-2, 4-5).
Damon Curry led the way for Franklin with 20 points, Luke Guth scored 14, Easton Fulmer bucketed 11, and Scott Walters added 8 markers.
Dylan Gordon paced Slippery Rock with 17 points, John Sabo finished with 10 and Shane Thompson and Jacob Wolak chipped in 6 points each.
— Hickory 68, Meadville 54 — At "The House of Thrills" in Meadville, Aidan Enoch drained 5 treys en route to 22 points to power the Region 4 Hornets (7-2) past the Region 6 Bulldogs (4-6.
Joe Fazzone posted a 16-point, 15-rebound, 4-steal double-double for Hickory. Tyson Djakovich and Jackson Pryts added 12 points each for the Hornets.
Pryts grabbed 7 rebounds and Djakovich collected 6 boards.
Khalon Simmons (14 points), Lucas Luteran (13), Jack Burchard (12), and Dante Miceli (9) were the leading scorers for Meadville.
The Hornets host Grove City on Thursday in a key Region 4 clash.
— Tuesday's West Middlesex at Rocky Grove Region 1 game was postponed due to COVID issues with the Orioles.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
— Neshannock 72, Greenville 44 — At Neshannock Twp., WPIAL powerhouse Neshannock (10-1) led 25-6 at the end of the opening quarter in the win over the Lady Trojans (6-3).
After the slow start, Greenville hung with Neshannock. They were only outscored 47-38 the rest of the way.
Megan Pallerino rifled in 22 points for the Lady Lancers, Mairan Haggerty bucketed 20, and Neleh Nogay scored 17.
Josie Lewis led Greenville with 18 points, Grace Cano scored 10, and Anna Harpst added 9 markers.
Cano added 7 rebounds, Reese Schaller had 6 boards, Lewis dished out 4 assists, and Harpst collected 3 steals.
Neshannock also has wins over Sharpsville and Farrell this season. The Lancers beat the Lady Blue Devils, 76-20, at Hickory's Sally Ward Holiday Classic and defeated Farrell, 80-40, on Saturday at the Sharon Showcase.
— Knoch 64, Slippery Rock 18 — At Saxonburg, Knoch improved to 10-2 with the win over the Rockets (4-5).
Nina Shaw led Knoch with 18 points, Maddie Boyer scored 11, and Karlee Buterbaugh 10.
Gianna Bedel led Slippery Rock with 9 points and Bronwyn McCoy scored 6.
— Tuesday's Jamestown at Kennedy Catholic Region 1 game was postponed due to COVID issues with the Lady Muskies.
WRESTLING
— Clarion Area 36, Mercer 16 — At Mercer, the Bobcats of District 9 picked up the win over the Mustangs.
Caleb Edmonds posted a pin at 172 pounds for Clarion Area.
For Mercer, Colin Wise (126) won by fall and Michael Berger picked up a major decision at 160 pounds.
Four matches were double forfeits. Six other matches were forfeits. Mercer forfeited 5 of them and Clarion Area 1.
GIRLS BOWLING
— Brookfield 1322, Bloomfield 1278 — At Champion Lanes in Warren, Ali Breighner rolled a 136-146—282 series to lead the Lady Warriors to victory.
Kara Svarny added a 110-121—231 series for Brookfield.
SWIMMING
The Sharon High boys and girls teams picked up recent wins at Farrell. Both Tiger teams won 110-6. Farrell did not submit results to The Herald. Sharon results:
GIRLS
200 Free: Lexie Steines, 1st place; Lily Bell, 2nd.
200 IM: Aaliyah Medvec, 1st; Julie Reda, 2nd.
50 Free: Reda, 1st; Steines 2nd.
100 Fly: Abbey Snyder, 1st; Abby Douglas, 2nd.
100 Free: Snyder, 1st; Delani Berkson, 2nd.
500 Free: Marin McLaughlin, 1st; Logan Wilson, 2nd.
100 Backstroke: Berkson, 1st.
100 Breaststroke: McLaughlin, 1st; Wilson 2nd.
200 Medley Relay: McLaughlin, Wilson, Snyder, Douglas, 1st.
200 Free Relay: Snyder, Berkson, Reda, Wilson, 1st; Medvec, Steines, Douglas, McLaughlin 2nd.
400 Free Relay: Medvec, Berkson, Steines, Reda, 1st.
BOYS
200 Free: Xander Mellotte, 1st; Nathan Adamiak, 2nd.
200 IM: Connor Flickenger, 1st; Tyler Adamiak, 2nd.
50 Free: Mark Cattron, 1st; Ben Jones, 2nd.
100 Fly: Cattron, 1st; Jones, 2nd.
100 Free: Jason Basile, 1st; Mellotte, 2nd.
500 Free: Flickenger, 1st; N.Adamiak, 2nd.
100 Backstroke: Will Beckert, 1st; Brenden Zampogna, 2nd.
100 Breaststroke: Basile, 1st; Zampogna, 2nd.
200 Medley Relay: Flickenger, Mellotte, Basile, Jones, 1st; Zampogna, Adamiak, Cattron, Beckert, 2nd.
200 Free Relay: Cattron, Zampogna, Flickenger, Adamiak, 1st; Basile, Beckert, Selby, Adamiak, 2nd.
400 Free Relay: Jones, Mellotte, N.Adamiak, T.Adamiak, 1st.
BOYS BASKETBALL
MERCER 10 7 16 11 44
FARRELL 14 8 11 24 57
MERCER — Con. Grossman 2-0-0-5, Pugh 3-1-4-7, Nickel 4-4-4-12, J.Mattocks 4-2-5-10, Lawrence 2-0-0-5, Haines 2-0-1-5, D.Mattocks 0-0-1-0, Ch. Grossman 0-0-0-0, Palmer 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Con. Grossman 1, Lawrence 1, Haines 1. Totals: 17-7-15-44.
FARRELL — Scarbrough 0-0-0-0, Samuels 2-4-5-8, Stewart 7-6-9-20, Wilson 3-0-1-6, Owens 5-2-6-12, Matthews 0-0-2-0, O'Kane 0-0-0-0, Jackson 4-0-2-8, Smith 1-1-2-3, Boatwright 0-0-0-0. Totals: 22-13-28-57.
JV: Farrell, 53-36.
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LAKEVIEW 13 11 5 13 42
JAMESTOWN 15 2 12 9 38
LAKEVIEW — Miller 2-0-0-5, Reiser 0-3-4-3, Smith 7-8-13-22, Pence 2-2-2-6, Fagley 2-0-0-6, Voorhees 0-0-0-0, Dye 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Fagley 2, Miller 1. Totals: 13-13-19-42.
JAMESTOWN — McElhinny 3-2-2-8, Ford 1-1-3-3, Popielarcheck 2-0-0-5, Keyser 4-2-4-11, Hill 0-0-0-0, Ternent 1-2-2-4, Planavsky 1-0-0-3, Smith 1-2-2-4. 3-pt. goals: Popielarcheck 1, Keyser 1, Planavsky 1. Totals: 13-9-13-38.
JV: No game.
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REYNOLDS 4 10 9 12 35
COMM. PERRY 12 10 6 11 39
REYNOLDS — Small 4-0-0-11, Obenrader 3-2-5-8, Geiwitz 2-1-2-5, Miller 1-2-4-4, Winkle 1-0-2-3, McLaughlin 1-0-0-2, McCloskey 1-0-0-2, Williams 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Small 3, Winkle 1. Totals: 13-5-13-35.
COMMODORE PERRY — Stringert 6-7-9-21, Cropp 1-4-4-6, Waid 2-0-0-4, Bell 1-0-0-3, Saxe 0-3-5-3, Dw.Yeagley 1-0-0-2, Thomas 0-0-0-0, Dr.Yeagley 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Stringert 2, Bell 1. Totals: 11-14-18-39.
JV: No score reported.
WILMINGTON 11 12 11 2 36
SHARON 5 16 3 13 37
WILMINGTON — Reed 0-0-0-0, Wilson 0-0-0-0, Hill 0-1-2-1, Bruckner 4-0-1-8, McConahy 3-1-2-10, Nagel 3-2-3-8, Micco 4-0-2-9, Kline 0-0-0-0, Taylor 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: McConahy 3, Micco 1. Totals: 14-4-10-36.
SHARON — Ham 1-0-1-2, Messina 3-0-0-8, Hoffman 1-0-0-3, Austin 1-0-0-2, Scarmack 0-0-0-0, Fromm 0-0-0-0, Dobosh 0-0-0-0, Thiel 0-0-0-0, Brodie 0-0-0-0, Porterfield 0-0-0-0, Piccirilli 3-3-4-9, Douglas 3-0-0-7, Schenker 2-0-0-6, Hacker 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Messina 2, Schenker 2, Hoffman 1, Douglas 1. Totals: 14-3-5-37.
JV: No score reported.
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SHARPSVILLE 18 7 12 23 60
GREENVILLE 6 22 14 23 65
SHARPSVILLE — Distler 2-0-0-5, Thomas 8-2-6-18, Lenzi 0-3-6-3, Campbell 3-0-0-7, Trontel 1-0-0-3, M.Staunch 8-8-10-24. 3-pt. goals: Distler 1, Campbell 1, Trontel 1. Totals: 22-13-22-60.
GREENVILLE — Kincaid 0-2-5-2, Herrick 3-0-0-6, Stuyvesant 2-0-0-6, Ritzert 9-5-6-23, Philson 2-2-2-6, Lentz 8-6-8-22, Williams 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Stuyvesant 2. Totals: 21-15-21-65.
JV: No score reported.
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FRANKLIN 20 10 16 18 64
SLIPP. ROCK 12 15 7 11 45
FRANKLIN — Curry 8-3-5-20, Guth 6-1-4-14, Fulmer 4-2-2-11, Walters 3-0-0-8, Buckley 3-1-1-7, Wood 2-0-0-4, Owens 0-0-0-0, Leccia 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Walters 2, Curry 1, Guth 1, Fulmer 1. Totals: 26-7-12-64.
SLIPPERY ROCK — Gordon 7-0-0-17, Sabo 3-3-4-10, Thompson 2-0-0-6, Wolak 3-0-0-6, Vogan 2-2-2-6, B.Prementine 0-0-2-0, Pyle 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Gordon 3, Thompson 2, Sabo 1. Totals: 17-5-8-45.
JV: No score reported.
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HICKORY 17 13 19 19 68
MEADVILLE 13 10 12 19 54
HICKORY — Enoch 7-3-5-22, C.Evangelista 1-0-0-3, Mele 1-1-2-3, Swanson 0-0-0-0, Fazzone 5-6-14-16, Djakovich 4-0-0-12, Pryts 5-2-2-12. 3-pt. goals: Enoch 5, Djakovich 4, C.Evangelista 1. Totals: 23-12-23-68.
MEADVILLE — Simmons 5-3-6-14, Burchard 5-0-0-12, McClure 0-0-0-0, Luteran 5-0-0-13, Miceli 3-0-0-9, Pope 0-2-2-2, Ball 1-2-2-4, Reichel 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Luteran 3, Miceli 3, Burchard 2, Simmons 1. Totals: 19-7-10-54.
JV: Hickory, 56-53. Devin Daniels 16, Rylan Dye 13, Dom Uberti 9 for Hickory (3-0, 5-0).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
GREENVILLE 6 17 12 9 44
NESHANNOCK 25 15 19 13 72
GREENVILLE — Mallek 1-0-0-3, Schaller 2-0-0-4, Harpst 3-1-2-9, Cano 5-0-1-10, Lewis 7-3-4-18, Philson 0-0-0-0, Chapman 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Harpst 2, Mallek 1, Lewis 1. Totals: 18-4-7-44.
NESHANNOCK — N.Nogay 7-2-2-17, Cole 0-0-0-0, Watts 4-0-0-8, DeLillo 0-0-0-0, Pallerino 6-9-9-22, Newman 2-1-2-5, Haggerty 7-2-2-20, A.Nogay 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Haggerty 4, N.Nogay 1, Pallerino 1. Totals: 26-14-18-72.
JV: Neshannock, 43-19. Avi DeLillo 11 for Neshannock.
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SLIPPERY ROCK 7 5 4 2 18
KNOCH 13 17 24 10 64
SLIPPERY ROCK — Bedel 9, Kura 3, McCoy 6. 3-pt. goals: Bedel 1, Kura 1. Totals: 8-0-2-18.
KNOCH — Hawk 6, Kosecki 8, Buterbaugh 10, H.McGraw 2, Ewing 6, M.McGraw 3, Shaw 18, Boyer 11. 3-pt. goals: Shaw 4, Kosecki 2, M.McGraw 1, Boyer 1. Totals: 27-2-6-64.
JV: No score reported.
WRESTLING
CLARION AREA 36, MERCER 16
132 — double forfeit; 138 — Mason Gourley (CA) forfeit; 145 — double forfeit; 152 — Avry Ryhal (M) forfeit; 160 — Michael Berger (M) maj. dec. Breckin Rex, 11-2; 172 — Caleb Edmonds (CA) pinned Ashton O'Linchy, 1:29; 189 — Chesney Boggess (CA) forfeit; 215 — Logan Edmonds (CA) forfeit; 285 — Josh Beal (CA) forfeit; 106 — Logan Powell (CA) forfeit; 113 — double forfeit; 120 — double forfeit; 126 — Colin Wise (M) pinned Seth Weckerly, 5:57.
