PORT ALLEGANY — In the North Tier League’s lone Friday game, the Port Allegany girls’ basketball team narrowly outlasted Smethport, 44-39, preserving their undefeated league record while stretching their win streak to three.
The Lady Gators have been on a tear this season, racking up six wins before their meeting with the Lady Hubbers and sitting at the top of the league. For Smethport, they have had less-than-fruitful results through the first month of the season, but recently found their first NTL win with a brutal victory over Oswayo Valley, a boost that seemingly carried over into Friday night.
Early on, the game was neck-and-neck as both teams traded baskets. While Port took the advantage after the first quarter, a handful of made 3-pointers from Smethport put them on top after the second.
Coming out of the break, the Lady Gators clamped down defensively, stunting the Lady Hubbers momentum. In the meantime, Kayleigha Dowell began to take over, leading a 10-3 run to put them in front with just one quarter remaining.
With their backs against a wall, the Lady Hubbers upped the intensity and physicality, which back-fired with fouls rather than defensive stops. This would be made worse as the gap on the scoreboard refused to shrink and the Lady Hubbers were forced to intentionally foul. Having nerves of steel and experience in the clutch, Dowell knocked down five of her six attempts at the free throw line to ice the game for Port.
Dowell finished with a game-high 21 points along with five rebounds and five steals. Her typical counterpart, Ella Moses, recorded eight points and six steals in the win.
For Smethport, two Lady Hubbers ended in double-digit scoring. Elizabeth Hungiville led the way with 15 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and three steals, while Jaidyn Goodman, who hit three shots from deep, had 11 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
Hungiville 7 0-0 15, Goodman 4 0-0 11, Neff 2 0-0 6, McKean 2 0-2 4, Dinch 1 0-0 2, Ness 0 1-2 1. Totals:
Port Allegany (44)Dowell 3 13-18 21, Moses 4 0-3 8, Renner 1 5-8 7, M. Errick 1 1-2 3, Evens 1 0-2 3, Savens 0 0-2 0. Totals:
Three-point goals: SMT (5) Goodman 3, Neff 2, Port (3) Dowell 2, Evens; Total fouls: SMT 22, Port 13; fouled out:
BOYSElk County Catholic 58, Punxsutawney 49
ST MARYS — Wil Wortman’s offensive explosive and 31 points carried the Crusaders to a league win over the Chucks.
While not able to get in the scorebooks through the first eight minutes, Wortman would change that from there on. In the second quarter, he recorded 14 points and followed that up with seven in the third and 10 in the fourth, pushing ECC ahead and keeping them there.
Alongside Wortman, Lance O’Neill had 11 points and Colby Nussbaum had eight points as the Crusaders improved to 6-0.
Weaver 6 1-2 15, Kengerski 5 1-2 11, Thomas 4 0-1 8, Nesbitt 2 0-0 4, Presloid 1 0-0 2, Neese 1 0-2 2, Hallman 1 0-0 2. Totals:
Elk County Catholic (58)Wortman 13 5-6 31, O’Neill 3 5-8 11, Nussbaum 4 0-0 8, Brannock 2 1-5 5, Wasko 0 1-2 1. Totals:
Three-point goals: Punxsy (5) Kengerski 2, Weaver 2, Presloid, ECC (0); Total fouls: Punxsy 1515, ECC ; fouled out:
WrestlingJohnsonburg 35, Bradford 28
Ryan Galloway (107), Kolton Miller (127), Tyson Ray (133) led the way for the Owls, all earning wins by pinfall during Bradford’s loss to the Rams.
JUNIOR HIGHBradford 60, Johnsonburg 18
The Owls started the match with Kay’von Jones pinning his opponent in :26. He was followed by Ryder Christjohn pinning his opponent in 1:07. Cole Sloan had a good match pinning his opponent in 4:11 to help our team to early points. Winning by forfeit for Bradford was Eddie Youmans, Brady Rosendahl, Malyk Harpster, Tevin Watkins, Bentley Evans, Luke Erickson and Maddux Benjamin.
“The guys that wrestled were aggressive in their matches,” said head coach Travis Faulkner. “We have to continue to work hard and improve as the season moves forward.”
