Pirates use second half to clamp down on Heights
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By Rick Weaver
For The Mirror
PATTON -- Williamsburg basketball coach Jeff Detwiler told his team to disregard the record Cambria Heights sported entering a basketball game in the Cambria Heights Christmas Tournament on Wednesday night.
"I told the guys coming in that we need to show up tonight," Detwiler said after the Blue Pirates subdued Cambria Heights after a lackluster first quarter and went on to secure a 66-56 victory.
Logan Brantner led the Blue Pirates (6-1) with 22 points and nine rebounds. Rowan Gorsuch added 18 points and ripped down a game-best 12 rebounds.
Williamsburg dominated the boards. It amassed a 43-28 edge under the glass.
"We had some other guys step up tonight," Detwiler said. "I was very pleased with how they played defensively."
Cambria Heights (1-8) held an 18-17 lead entering the second period.
"Early on they made some 3-pointers. But defensively we really stepped up, especially in the second half," Detwiler said.
Brantner and Gorsuch took over from that point, however. They combined for 10 of the Blue Pirates 17 points as they assumed a 34-32 lead at the break.
Gorsuch continued his stellar play despite playing much of the game in foul trouble. He disqualified with 3:05 left and Williamsburg ahead 60-51.
"We turned it over too much," Cambria Heights coach Eric Nagel said. "There were two spurts that it happened: right out of the third quarter and then when we got it to one (50-49 with 5:37 left) in the fourth. And then we committed three or four turnovers again. When that happens it kind of spirals from there."
Detwiler appreciated how the rest of his team stepped up when they were needed the most.
"We had some other guys that kind of picked it up when he was out of the game," Detwiler said. "He was in foul trouble early on. And throughout the game we were concerned about his foul trouble."
Sam Parks took his turn contributing during the third period. He hit both of his 3-point field goals in the pivotal quarter, and the Blue Pirates took a 48-41 lead into the final period.
Williamsburg used only two substitutes throughout the night. Detwiler voiced confidence in the players who come off the bench, however.
"Honestly, the guys we bring in off the bench, we're confident (in them)," Detwiler said. "Evan Zehner hit a shot at the buzzer during the junior varsity game to win it. Ethan Reffner is a freshman that we're confident in. So, we feel comfortable bringing those guys in."
Isaac Weiland led the Highlanders with 16 points. Parker Farabaugh chipped in 14 points.
"That's a good ball team," Detwiler said. "Their record might not really reflect how good they are. But that is a good basketball team."
Nagel believes there is something more to his team than just its record so far this season.
"Being 1-8 doesn't mean anything because we've played a lot of good basketball teams," Nagel said. "If you look at it, minus the first two games we played -- and we just got our football players back -- I think the average difference is eight points."
Williamsburg will play Glendale tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the next round of tourney play. Heights is off until Friday when it hosts Glendale at 7:30 p.m.
WILLIAMSBURG (66): Gorsuch 6 6-8 18, Brumbaugh 3 0-1 7, Brantner 6 8-10 22, Parks 5 2-4 12, Isenberg 0 0-0 0, Zehner 0 0-0 0, Reffner 2 1-2 5. Totals 22 17-25 66.
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS (56): Garrison 3 0-2 9, Farabaugh 6 0-0 14, Nelen 3 1-3 7, Weiland 6 3-6 16, Yeckley 1 0-0 3, Abrams 1 1-2 3, Nagel 2 0-0 4. Totals 22 5-13 56.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Williamsburg 17 17 14 18 -- 66
Cambria Heighs 18 14 9 15 -- 56
3-point field goals: Williamsburg 5 (Brantner 2, Parks 2, Brumbaugh), Cambria Heights 7 (Garrison 3, Farabaugh 2, Weiland, Yeckley).
Officials: Matt Gueguen, Darren Elvey, Curtis Miller.
Team records: Williamsburg (6-1), Cambria Heights (1-8).
JV: Williamsburg, 36-35.