TYRONE - Tyrone has had its fair share of success in boys basketball the past two seasons, but it hasn't been able to get over the hump of rival Bellwood-Antis.
The Blue Devils beat the Golden Eagles three times last season, including a matchup in the District 6 Class AA playoffs, and already own a win over Tyrone this year during the Eagles' holiday tournament.
Saturday night, though, belonged to Tyrone and in particular senior Richard Crabtree, who scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half of the Golden Eagles' 50-33 victory at the Tyrone Area High School gymnasium.
"Richard really came alive in that second half," Tyrone coach George Gripp said. "We ran some sets for him, and he really delivered. He's a great kid who puts a lot of time in, and we're tough to beat when Richard and Brandon [Gripp] are on like they were tonight."
It was the younger Gripp who gave the Golden Eagles the lead early with a pair of 3-pointers to start the second quarter after the teams finished a turnover-plagued first quarter tied at four. Gripp finished with 15 points.
"Tyrone came out with a lot of intensity, and we matched it in the first half," Bellwood-Antis coach Brent Gerwert said. "In the second half, I felt like we did not match their intensity like we needed to. We had 27 turnovers, and that's 27 looks that we didn't get at the hoop."
Bellwood-Antis was led by Noah Davis, who was named to the Mirror's first team squad a year ago as a sophomore. However, Davis managed just 11 points and two field goals and scored just two points in the second half.
"Our defense was outstanding," Gripp said. "That was the best defensive output we've had this year. The guys were really focused tonight, helping each other out on defense and making the proper switches. They didn't have many open shots, and that was a credit to our defense."
No Bellwood player made more than David Wolfe's three shots from the field.
The teams will meet at least one more time Feb. 16 in the regular season finale at Bellwood.
"We held a high-scoring team that scored 92 points last night to 50," Gerwert said. "We can do it defensively, we just have to work out the kinks offensively and when we need to, we need to step up and make shots."
Tyrone led by just six at halftime, but the Golden Eagles opened the second half on an 8-2 run that doubled the lead.
Bellwood-Antis got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.
"I think the sky is the limit for these guys," Gripp said. "A lot of people don't realize this, but we're a month behind everybody. A lot of these guys played in the [football] state championship, and we had a walkthrough practice and 'bam' we were into our season.
"To be honest with you, I'm a little surprised with how well we've been doing this year, but the guys have come together quick. Each day that we practice together, we keep getting better and better."
BELLWOOD-ANTIS (33): Steffen 1 0-0 2, Dionis 1 0-0 3, S. Worthing 1 0-0 3, Wolfe 3 3-5 9, Davis 2 7-8 11, K. Bartlett 0 0-0 0, C. Worthing 0 0-1 0, Sinisi 1 1-4 3, Wyland 0 0-0 0, Hollen 1 0-0 2, A. Bartlett 0 0-0 0. Totals - 10 11-18 33.
TYRONE (50): Gripp 5 3-5 15, Crabtree 6 7-10 19, Wilson-Adams 2 1-3 5, Franco 1 3-6 5, Dickson 2 0-0 4, Wagner 1 0-0 2, Fowler 0 0-0 0. Totals - 17 14-25 50.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bellwood-Antis4 12 7 10 - 33
Tyrone4 18 13 15 - 50
3-point goals: Bellwood-Antis 2 (S. Worthing, Dionis); Tyrone 2 (Gripp 2).
Records: Bellwood-Antis (12-2); Tyrone (10-2).
Officials: Jim Klausman, Keith Redfoot, Donnie Ciambotti
JV: Tyrone, 41-35. High scorers-Jordan Miller, T, 11; Cameron Worthing, BA, 9.
