Golden Eagles capture seventh victory in a row
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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
TYRONE -- Tyrone jumped ahead of Bellefonte early and never looked back in a 63-38 victory Friday night.
It was the Golden Eagles' seventh-straight win and moved them into the top three in the District 6 Class 3A rankings with one game to play.
"It has all started with our defense," Tyrone coach Luke Rhoades said. "We have really focused on defense and our footwork, positioning and moving. I really believe we have made that more of a focus, and they are starting to play defense the way we want it to be done. That has a lot to do with it."
That defense was on display against Bellefonte as the Red Raiders managed just 12 points in the first half.
The winning streak began with a victory over Class 6A Williamsport, but has been highlighted by a win over Class 4A top seed Johnstown on a game-winning 3-pointer by Eli Woomer.
Woomer didn't score until the fourth quarter in Friday's game, but it has been the trend for Tyrone to lean on whoever has it going each night, whether it's as the leading scorer or for a game-winning shot.
"I think these guys accepting their role and what we expect from them has made a big difference," Rhoades said. "These guys see who has the hot hand and gets that person the ball. That shows the signs of a mature team. We still have a ways to go, but for the most part we are taking steps to be where we need to be."
Fittingly on Tyrone's senior night, Friday's leading scorer was senior Dravyn Crowell, who finished with 13 points. Crowell, who started alongside fellow senior Brady Ronan, also had two steals and a couple of key early rebounds to give the Golden Eagles an early spark.
"He came in and was really focused," Rhoades said. "He took advantage of opportunities tonight when he could to get to the basket. I thought that was big for him. He had an offseason injury, and I think he's just starting to feel good about basketball and moving around better."
Sam Crilly scored 12 points with a couple NBA-range 3-pointers and had several nice assists to set up Kendall Lehner's 11-point output.
Tyrone had a much tougher time against the Red Raiders in December when it won a back-and-forth game, 62-52, on the road.
"We didn't match their intensity," Bellefonte coach Rick Hall said. "We weren't disciplined tonight compared to the game that we played at Bellefonte. Tyrone just kicked our (butt)."
Jacob Corman led Bellefonte with 15 points.
The Golden Eagles close the regular season against Clearfield as they battle for playoff position with Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic, Forest Hills and Westmont Hilltop in the upper half of the District 6 3A rankings. The Rangers defeated the Hilltoppers in a key game Friday night, 57-48.
"These guys are really getting along well," Rhoades said. "They are not playing selfish basketball. Some of them are making an extra pass to get someone wide open when they have a chance to shoot. I think this team is clicking right now. A sign of a good team is that you can click every once in a while, but a sign of a great team is that you are clicking all the time."
BELLEFONTE (38): Hamilton 2 0-0 4, Cox 1 1-4 3, McConnell 3 1-2 8, Tomasacci 1 2-2 4, Corman 5 3-4 15, Vancas 1 0-0 3, Wertz 0 0-0 0, Servant 0 0-0 0, Holterman 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 1-2 1. Totals -- 13 8-14 38.
TYRONE (63): Crilly 5 0-0 12, Ronan 0 0-0 0, Walk 4 0-1 8, Lehner 5 1-4 11, Crowell 6 0-0 13, Escala 3 0-0 7, Woomer 3 1-1 9, A. Emigh 0 0-0 0, Oakes 0 0-0 0, M. Emigh 0 0-0 0, Dasher 0 0-0 0, Harpster 1 0-0 3. Totals -- 26 2-6 63.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bellefonte 8 4 14 12 -- 38
Tyrone 20 13 14 16 -- 63
3-point goals: Bellefonte 4 (McConnell, Corman 2, Vancas); Tyrone 7 (Crilly 2, Woomer 2, Crowell, Harpster, Escala).
Records: Bellefonte (7-13); Tyrone (15-6).
Officials: Mike Andrews, Clark Adelman, Todd Parker
JV: Bellefonte, 51-45. High scorers--Mason Emigh, T, 10; John Servant, B, 21.