Lions trying to learn in tough times

By Kevin Petrochko

For the Mirror

The Altoona Area High School boys basketball team came into Friday's game against the State College Little Lions searching for their first win of the season, but couldn't come out on top as the Lions fell to their Mid-Penn rivals, 64-42, at the Altoona Field House.

Despite its record, the team believes the effort has been there all season.

"They come to practice every day," Mountain Lions coach Doug Pfeffer said. "We have a good group of seniors that have really held the team together. They preach the team and family concept."

Mountain Lion sophomore Roan Greaser racked up 10 points on the night, including two of two from the charity stripe to help lead the team along with senior Josh Corso, who also had 10 points.

Prior to the game, the Altoona School district honored four longtime junior high basketball coaches for their contributions to the school. They included Jim Rice, Tony Labriola, Frank Corso and Rod Baumgartner.

"It was a great atmosphere," Pfeffer said of the halftime festivities. "Those guys deserve that."

Little Lions junior point guard Ty Salazer finished with 15 points to lead his team, going six of six from the foul line.

It was close at halftime as Altoona, which fell to 0-12, trailed by only four, 25-21. However, the Little Lions outscored Altoona, 17-9, in the third quarter for a 42-30 lead. It was much of the same in the fourth quarter as Altoona was outscored, 22-12, to set the final.

"It's my second game starting," Salazer said. "I had a bit of a slow start just like the rest of the team, and as the game went on, we picked up the intensity, and I just tried my best out there."

Salazer has been a key contributor to the Little Lion's success this season as the team evened its mark at 6-6.

"I thought he's been a real leader for us," State coach Brian Scholly said. "He's established himself as a guy that wants to be up front moving us in the right direction."

With several new players on their roster, State continues to push forward through its season.

"I think we're moving in the right direction," Scholly said. "It's a real challenge that these guys are in; there is only one way to get experience when you need it; you got to go through it.

As the season continues for the Mountain Lions, Pfeffer and his staff work to keep the Mountain Lions going.

"We're still building," Pfeffer said. "We still have about 11 or 12 games left, and we want to just improve every game."

Altoona is at Central Dauphin next on Tuesday night.

STATE COLLEGE (64): Salazer 4 6-6 15, Mellare 0 1-2 1, Yartz 3 0-1 6, Nicholas 5 2-2 13, Angus 3 1-2 9, Melvin 5 0-0 14, Price 1 2-2 4, Elliott 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 12-15 64

ALTOONA (42): Walker 3 0-0 8, Polito 1 0-0 3, Greaser 3 2-2 10, Shields 1 0-0 3, Crawford 2 2-4 6, Corso 5 0-1 10, Harrington 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 4-7 42.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

State College………………….. 9 16 17 22 - 64

Altoona…………………………….8 13 9 12 - 42

3-point field goals: State College 8 (Salazer 1, Nicholas 1, Angus 2, Melvin 4), Altoona 6 (Walker 2, Polito 1, Greaser 2, Shields 1)

Records: State College (6-6), Altoona (0-12).

Officials: Rich Gergely, Mike Andrews, Bill Mussser

JV: 44-43 State College