Roundup: Stewart-led Steelers rally for 48-44 Region 1 win over Rocky Grove

Ed Farrell, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
·16 min read

Jan. 22—FARRELL — Artistically speaking it was not the best high school basketball game you'll ever see. But it may have been one of the most competitive.

And Farrell High boys' basketball Head Coach Myron Lowe was not complaining with Friday night's 48-44 Region 1 win over Rocky Grove.

"We'll take anything we can get right now," Lowe allowed, later adding in regard to his Steelers, "They dug deep."

At E.J. McCluskey Gymnasium, the Steelers were on the short end of a 41-33 deficit with 4:12 remaining.

But after coercing the next-to-last of Rocky Grove's 29 turnovers, Lamont Samuels fed Omar Stewart for a score, and Stewart stuck the subsequent free throw. The traditional 3-point play afforded Farrell a 45-43 lead with 42.5 ticks to play. Kylon Wilson added an insurance put-back bucket in the closing seconds.

Senior Steelers' standout Stewart secured a game-high 19-point, 16-rebound double-double for Farrell (6-2 region, 7-6 overall), while Samuels scored another 19, including 4 fourth-frame free throws.

"O.J.'s gonna work hard every time. I don't ever have to worry about him," Lowe said of Stewart, one of 4 Farrell footballers on the floor at game's end.

"Omar, Kylon ... they started gettin' steals, they started fightin'" Lowe praised.

There were a handful of deadlocks and 11 lead changes. The teams were tied at 11 after 8 minutes. But with Isaac Clayton collecting 6 of his game-high 20 points during the 2nd stanza, it gave the 'Grovers a 25-21 margin at intermission. Clayton offset Stewart and Samuels, who scored 5 and 4 points, respectively.

Despite incurring his 3rd and 4th personal fouls, Clayton copped 4 more points during the 3rd period while teammates Alex Zinz and Quinn Ritchey rifled in treys, giving the 'Grove a 37-33 edge entering the finale.

Rocky Grove had an opportunity to capture a region road win in spite of the myriad of miscues; however the Orioles were outscored 15-7 during the final frame. Rocky Grove converted just 3 of 9 freebies during the final 8 minutes.

Assessing his Steelers, Lowe said, "They played hard and they fought back. (Friday) night was one of the first games we were down, but fought back and got back in the game 'cause they continued to work.

"And," Lowe continued, "that's all we ask of the guys. If we continue to work hard, you'll be in a lot of games."

Farrell finished from the floor sinking just 18 of 59 attempts (30.5%) and converted only 11 of 26 free throws (42.3%) while committing 17 miscues. Wilson (3) and Stewart, Jackson Jones, Samuels and Kabron Smith (2 apiece) finished with multiple assists. Malachi Newell snared 7 rebounds, helping forge Farrell to a 46-35 edge on the glass.

For Rocky Grove Brett Stevenson served up 5 assists, D'Andre Whitman went for a 10-rebound, 6-point, 2-assist line, while Ritchey recorded 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. But the 'Grovers garnered just 14 of 34 field-goal attempts (41.1%) and 12 of 27 freebies (44.5%).

Assessing the season at the midway mark Lowe admitted, "We're not there yet. I'm in the process of turnin' it all around, and I know it's gonna take time. That's the plan, but again, we're not there yet.

"But (Friday night's win) was great. Just in case they run into that in the playoffs. They fought back and dug deep, so I like what they did," Lowe concluded.

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Also Friday:

BOYS BASKETBALL

— Mercer 39, Lakeview 38 — At Stoneboro, Coach Joe Venasco's Mustangs (5-3, 9-5) held on for the Region 1 win in a matchup of backyard rivals.

Lakeview (3-5, 4-8) had the ball at the end of the game, but Cameron Pence's shot from 14 feet bounced off the back of the rim.

Lakeview led 10-8 at the end of the 1st quarter and the game was tied 18-all at halftime. Mercer led 34-32 after 3 and the Sailors outscored the Mustangs 6-5 over the final 8 minutes.

Woody Nickel led Mercer with 9 points on 3 treys while Dom Pugh and Daemyn Mattocks contributed 7 points each.

Lane Smith scored 15 for Lakeview, Gavin Grantham had 14 (3 treys), and Pence finished with 7. — Stats submitted by Herald Sports Correspondent Ryan Briggs.

— Jamestown 61, West Middlesex 54 — At "The Fish Tank" in Jamestown, Peyton McElhinny rifled in 27 points as the Muskies (2-5, 4-7) picked up the Region 1 upset over the Big Reds (5-3, 8-6).

WM led 17-13 after 8 minutes of play, but Jamestown outscored the Reds 16-5 in the 2nd quarter to take a 29-22 lead into the locker room at halftime. The 2nd half was even as both teams scored 32 points.

Cameron Keyser added 17 points for Jamestown and Lucas Popielarcheck contributed 9 markers.

Richie Preston led the Big Reds with 24 points, Gio Rococi drained 4 treys en route to 20 points, and Luke Mild added 8.

— Kennedy Catholic 87, Reynolds 34 — At Hermitage, the Golden Eagles (8-0, 9-2) led 22-3 after 8 minutes en route to the Region 1 win.

Elijah Harden rifled in 26 points for KC, Gio Magestro scored 20, Remington Hart bucketed 13 points, Malik Lampkins-Rudolph added 12 points, and Otis Driver contributed 9 markers.

Haden Obenrader led the Raiders (0-8, 3-10) with 15 points, Nate Miller chipped in 5 points, and Haydin McLaughlin and Jake Williams contributed 4 each.

Kennedy Catholic plays Union (13-1) at 3 p.m. today at the Ron Galbreath Classic at Westminster College.

— Greenville 61, Wilmington 39 — At Greenville, Coach Scot Vannoy's Trojans (4-4, 7-7) got back to .500 with the win over the Hounds (0-7, 1-12).

Greenville led 14-4 at the end of the opening quarter, but the Hounds battled back and cut the lead to 25-20 at the break. The Trojans would then outscore the Hounds 36-19 in the 2nd half.

Jalen Ritzert rifled in 21 points to lead the way for Greenville, Noah Philson scored a season-high 18, and Brady Kincaid contributed 7 points.

Tuff McConahy paced Wilmington with 14 points and Colin Hill bucketed 11.

— Slippery Rock 61, Sharon 26 — At "The Rock Box" in Slippery Rock, Coach AJ Motta's Rockets (5-3, 7-6) captured the Region 4 win over the Tigers (1-6, 1-12).

Slippery Rock led 15-2 at the end of the opening quarter and 29-9 at the break en route to the win.

John Sabo led the way for Slippery Rock with 15 points, Shane Thompson scored 13, and Jacob Wolak added 8 markers.

Mister Ham and Garret Hoffman had 6 points each for Sharon and Lamont Austin added 5 points.

— Franklin 72, Sharpsville 38 — At Sharpsville, the visiting Knights notched another Region 4 road win for Franklin Head Coach Jason Fulmer.

It was a wire-to-wire win, though just 17-15 after 8 minutes. But a 21-point 2nd-stanza — with Damon Curry and Easton Fulmer splitting 10 tallies — forged Franklin to a 38-23 margin at intermission. Eleven of Curry's game-high 21 points occurred during the 3rd period as the Knights extended their edge to 56-27 entering the final frame.

For Franklin (8-0, 14-1), Curry (21), Fulmer (19), Luke Guth (11) and Cole Buckley (10) scored in double digits. Franklin finished with 7 treys — including Curry's trio — and flawless 7-for-7 free-throw marksmanship, led by Fulmer's 5-for-5 marksmanship.

Sharpsville (0-5, 0-8) was paced by Brock Lenzi and Mack Staunch, who scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Lenzi tossed in a trio of triples.

— Cathedral Prep 52, Grove City 41 — At Grove City, the Region 6 Ramblers (8-4) captured the win over the Region 4 Eagles (6-6).

The first half was the difference was Cathedral Prep led 22-13 at halftime. The Ramblers held a slim 30-28 scoring advantage in the 2nd half.

Nick Lydic (11 points), Reece Colvin (9), and Amaree Pickens (8) were the leading scorers for Cathedral Prep.

Landon Haggart scored a game-high 12 points for Grove City while Dylan Stull and Josh Dreves added 9 each.

Grove City plays in the Ron Galbreath Classic at Westminster College tonight. The Eagles face Neshannock (11-3) at 7:30 p.m.

— Grand River Academy 61, Hickory 38 — On Senior Night at "The Hive," the visitors from Austinburg, Ohio, picked up the win.

GRA led 13-8 after 8 minutes and 31-19 at halftime en route to the win.

Bing-Wallace (16 points), Oluieu (9), and Okeyo (8) were the leading scorers for Grand River Academy. No roster was listed on maxpreps.

For Hickory (10-3), Joey Fazzone had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Jackson Pryts bucketed 10 markers, Tyson Djakovich added 8 points and 3 boards, and Aidan Enoch had 3 rebounds.

Hickory's seniors are Fazzone, Pryts, Tyler Mele, and Christian Evangelista.

The Hornets are back in action at 4:30 p.m today against Class 5A Mars (11-1) at the Ron Galbreath Classic at Westminster College.

— Campbell Memorial 90, Brookfield 56 — At Campbell, Kevin Moore fired in 23 points and Xavion Leonard scored 20 as the Red Devils rolled in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier Division game.

Kayvon Moore and DaShawn Will both added 9 points each for Campbell Memorial.

Dononvan Pawlowski led Brookfield with 22 points and Josh Solida scored 12. Also, Isaiah Jones had 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, and TJ Laverty contributed 8 points and 3 steals.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

— Kennedy Catholic 79, Reynolds 32 — At Hermitage, Coach Justin Magestro's Lady Golden Eagles picked up their 3rd win in as many days with the Region 1 victory over the Raiders.

Bellah DiNardo, Hayden Keith (4 treys), and Layke Fields all scored 16 points for KC (4-0, 9-1). Sophia Lombardi added 9 points on a trio of 3-pointers and Isabella Bianco contributed 8 markers.

Halle Murcko had a game-high 17 points for Reynolds (2-1, 4-5) and Lawrynn Harrold chipped in 9 points.

KC beat Cambridge Springs (51-30) on Wednesday and Mercer (68-25) on Thursday. Reynolds posted wins over Commodore Perry (68-15) on Monday and Rocky Grove (50-33) on Wednesday.

— Today's Farrell at New Castle game is off. Farrell Coach Ed Turosky reported to The Herald that New Castle canceled.

BOYS BASKETBALL

R.GROVE 11 14 12 7 44

FARRELL 11 10 12 15 48

ROCKY GROVE — Clayton 6-7-11-20, Stevenson 0-2-2-2, Henderson 1-1-4-3, Whitman 2-2-7-6, Ritchey 3-0-1-8, Zinz 2-0-1-5, Baker 0-0-0-0, Wolfgong 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Ritchey 2, Clayton 1, Zinz 1. Totals: 14-12-27-44.

FARRELL — Jackson 1-0-1-2, Wilson 1-1-1-3, Stewart 8-3-10-19, Owens 0-1-2-1, Jones 1-1-2-3, Samuels 7-4-8-19, Smith 0-0-0-0, Scarbrough 0-1-2-1, Guest 0-0-0-0, Matthews 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goal: Samuels 1. Totals: 18-11-26-48.

JV: Farrell, 59-47.

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MERCER 8 10 16 5 39

LAKEVIEW 10 8 14 6 38

MERCER — Haines 1-2-2-5, Co.Grossman 1-0-0-3, Turton 1-0-0-2, Pugh 2-3-4-7, Nickel 3-0-0-9, Lawrence 0-0-0-0, D.Mattocks 2-1-1-7, J.Mattocks 2-2-3-6. 3-pt. goals: Nickel 3, D.Mattocks 2, Haines 1, Co.Grossman 1. Totals: 12-8-10-39.

LAKEVIEW — Wilkins 0-0-1-0, Miller 0-0-0-0, Olson 0-0-0-0, Pence 3-0-1-7, Smith 6-1-2-15, Fagley 0-0-0-0, Grantham 3-5-5-14, Reiser 1-0-0-2. 3-pt. goals: Grantham 3, Smith 2, Pence 1. Totals: 13-6-9-38.

JV: No score reported.

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W.MIDDLESEX 17 5 13 19 54

JAMESTOWN 13 16 18 14 61

WEST MIDDLESEX — Rococi 6-4-6-20, Mild 3-0-0-8, Shick 1-0-0-2, Bender 0-0-0-0, Preston 10-4-5-24, Shrawder 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Rococi 4, Mild 2. Totals: 20-8-11-54.

JAMESTOWN — Swezey 1-2-2-4, McElhinny 12-3-8-27, Ford 1-2-2-4, Popielarcheck 4-0-0-9, Keyser 6-5-6-17, Hill 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goal: Popielarcheck 1. Totals: 24-12-18-61.

JV: No score reported.

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REYNOLDS 3 13 11 7 34

KENNEDY 22 22 23 20 87

REYNOLDS — McLaughlin 2-0-0-4, Winkle 0-0-0-0, McCloskey 0-0-0-0, Obenrader 6-3-3-15, Small 1-0-0-3, Williams 2-0-0-4, Geiwitz 0-3-4-3, N.Miller 2-1-4-5. 3-pt. goal: Small 1. Totals: 13-7-11-34.

KENNEDY CATHOLIC — Wade 0-0-0-0, Driver 3-2-2-9, Harden 12-0-0-26, Magestro 8-2-3-20, Lampkins-Rudolph 4-3-4-12, Hailstock 0-0-0-0, Rapp 1-0-0-3, Hart 6-1-2-13, Wilbon-Venable 0-0-0-0, Gwin 0-0-0-0, Southworth 0-0-0-0, Ondo 0-0-0-0, Campbell 2-0-3-4. 3-pt. goals: Harden 2, Magestro 2, Driver 1, Lampkins-Rudolph 1, Rapp 1. Totals: 36-8-14-87.

JV: KC, 59-22. Rayvion Wilbon-Venable 19, Levi Hailstock 15, Nick Ondo 10 for KC.

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WILMINGTON 4 16 12 7 39

GREENVILLE 14 11 15 21 61

WILMINGTON — Wilson 1-0-0-2, Hill 3-3-4-11, Miller 3-0-0-6, Bruckner 1-0-0-2, McConahy 5-0-0-14, Nagel 2-0-0-4. 3-pt. goals: McConahy 4, Hill 2. Totals: 15-3-4-39.

GREENVILLE — Kincaid 2-2-2-7, Herrick 2-2-4-6, Stuyvesant 0-2-2-2, Ritzert 8-3-4-21, Philson 8-2-3-18, Williams 1-0-0-3, Vannoy 1-0-0-2, Leskovac 1-0-0-2. 3-pt. goals: Ritzert 2, Kincaid 1, Williams 1. Totals: 23-11-15-61.

JV: No game.

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SHARON 2 7 10 7 26

SLIPP. ROCK 15 14 19 13 61

SHARON — Ham 2-2-3-6, Messina 1-0-0-3, Hoffman 2-0-0-6, Austin 2-0-0-5, Scarmack 0-0-0-0, Fromm 1-0-0-2, Porterfield 2-0-0-4, Douglas 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Hoffman 2, Messina 1, Austin 1. Totals: 10-2-3-26.

SLIPPERY ROCK — B.Prementine 1-3-4-6, Sabo 4-7-9-15, Gordon 1-0-0-2, Thompson 5-0-0-13, Wolak 4-0-0-8, Vogan 2-1-2-5, Schwartz 1-0-0-2, Pyle 2-0-0-5, L.Prementine 2-1-2-5. 3-pt. goals: Thompson 3, B.Prementine 1, Pyle 1. Totals: 22-12-17-61.

JV: No score reported.

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FRANKLIN 17 21 18 16 72

SHARPSVILLE 15 8 4 11 38

FRANKLIN — Curry 9-0-0-21, Owens 3-0-0-6, Buckley 5-0-0-10, Fulmer 6-5-5-19, Guth 4-2-2-11, McCracken 0-0-0-0, Walters 1-0-0-3. 3-pt. goals: Curry 3, Fulmer 2, Guth 1, Walters 1. Totals: 29-7-7-72.

SHARPSVILLE — Tedrow 0-0-0-0, Thomas 2-1-2-5, Toth 1-0-0-3, L.Staunch 0-0-0-0, Lenzi 4-0-0-11, Campbell 1-3-4-5, Trontel 1-0-1-2, M.Staunch 5-0-2-10. 3-pt. goals: Lenzi 3, Toth 1. Totals: 15-4-9-38.

JV: No score reported.

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CATH. PREP 11 11 13 17 52

GROVE CITY 5 8 11 17 41

CATHEDRAL PREP — Lydic 5-0-0-11, Sambuchino 2-0-0-6, Spencer 1-0-0-2, Colvin 4-0-2-9, Pickens 4-0-0-8, Rahama 3-0-0-6, Lofton 0-0-0-0, Lucarotti 1-0-0-2, Barksdale 2-0-2-4, Lofton 1-0-0-2, Roberts 0-0-0-0, Spence 0-0-0-0, Han 1-0-0-2, Konne 0-0-0-0, Galla 0-0-0-0, Wallace 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Sambuchino 2, Lydic 1, Colvin 1. Totals: 24-0-4-52.

GROVE CITY — Stull 3-1-1-9, Greer 1-0-0-2, Loughry 0-0-0-0, Pereira 2-0-0-4, Haggart 3-4-4-12, Dreves 4-0-0-9, Lutz 1-3-4-5, Martin 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Stull 2, Haggart 2, Dreves 1. Totals: 14-8-9-41.

JV: Cathedral Prep, 47-28. Brett Loughry 10 for GC.

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GRAND RIVER 13 18 11 19 61

HICKORY 8 11 15 4 38

GRAND RIVER ACADEMY (OHIO) — Makoge 3-1-3-7, Beyina 2-0-0-6, Bing-Wallace 7-1-1-16, Frederickson 2-0-0-4, Gusmane 3-0-0-6, Okeyo 4-0-0-8, Oluieu 4-0-0-9, Seibou 2-0-0-5. 3-pt. goals: Beyina 2, Bing-Wallace 1, Oluieu 1, Seibou 1. Totals: 27-2-4-61.

HICKORY — Enoch 1-0-0-3, C.Evangelista 1-0-0-3, Mele 0-0-0-0, Fazzone 5-4-8-14, Djakovich 3-0-0-8, Pryts 3-4-5-10. 3-pt. goals: Djakovich 2, Enoch 1, C.Evangelista 1. Totals: 13-8-13-38.

JV: No score reported.

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BROOKFIELD 14 14 16 12 56

CAMPBELL 19 21 28 22 90

BROOKFIELD — Jones 3-2-4-8, Laverty 3-2-2-8, Do.Pawlowski 8-3-4-22, Reardon 0-0-0-0, Hoffman 2-2-4-6, Solida 4-4-4-12. 3-pt. goals: Do.Pawlowski 3. Totals: 20-13-18-56.

CAMPBELL MEMORIAL — Jackson 0-1-2-1, Ke.Moore 9-2-2-23, Ka.Moore 3-3-4-9, McCray 3-0-1-6, James 1-0-0-3, Weaver 2-0-0-6, Will 3-3-3-9, Kouros 3-1-2-7, Luciano 1-0-0-2, Leonard 9-2-4-20, Flores 2-0-0-4. 3-pt. goals: Ke.Moore 3, Weaver 2, James 1. Totals: 36-12-18-90.

JV: No score reported.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

REYNOLDS 10 8 10 4 32

KENNEDY 25 27 18 9 79

REYNOLDS — McLaughlin 1-1-3-4, Murcko 7-1-5-17, Harrold 3-0-0-9, Miller 0-0-0-0, Herman 0-0-0-0, Wade 1-0-0-2. 3-pt. goals: Harrold 3, Murcko 2, McLaughlin 1. Totals: 12-2-8-32.

KENNEDY CATHOLIC — Vincent 1-0-0-2, DiNardo 8-0-0-16, Bianco 3-0-0-8, Keith 6-0-0-16, Gilmore 2-2-2-6, Jones 2-0-0-4, Pfleger 0-0-0-0, Lombardi 3-0-0-9, Shimrack 0-0-0-0, Suhar 1-0-0-2, Pri.Ochweri 0-0-0-0, Fields 8-0-2-16. 3-pt. goals: Keith 4, Lombardi 3, Bianco 2. Totals: 34-2-4-79.

JV: No game.