Gators open with 51-37 victory over Mapletown
Geibel Catholic's James Ewing goes up for two against Mapletown's Tanner Griffin during Friday's tip-off tournament game at Geibel Catholic High School.
Mapletown's Jake Visokey pulls down a rebound from Geibel Catholic's Bailey Miller during Friday's tip-off tournament game at Geibel Catholic High School.
Christine Pocratsky
Geibel Catholic’s Eric Plisko drives toward the hoop as Mapletown’s Matt Hein attempts to steal the ball away during Friday’s tip-off tournament game at Geibel Catholic High School.
Mapletown's Ben Boone loses control of his dribble as he collides with Geibel Catholic's Brent Plisko during Friday's tip-off tournament game at Geibel Catholic High School.
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — The Geibel Catholic Gators opened their basketball season Friday night with a 51-37 win over Mapletown in the first game of the Gators Tip-Off Tournament. The win snapped a four game losing streak to the Maples.
The Gators (1-0) used a balanced scoring attack for the win with three players finishing in double figures. Bailey Miller led the Gators with 14 points and 11 rebounds. James Ewing followed with 12 points and Brent Plisko tossed in 11.
Ben Boone provided the offense for the Maples (0-1), scoring a game-high 26 points that included three from 3-point range.
“The three losses to them last year were by a total of 12 points and we lost by one to them the year before. If we won one of those games last year we make the playoffs,” Geibel’s Bill Hughes said. “The guys were motivated tonight and the effort at the beginning of the game showed that.”
The play of Ewing pushed the Gators to the early lead. He scored Geibel’s first five points and then scored the last four points to help Geibel to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Gators took control of the game in the second period, outscoring the Maples, 18-8. Plisko had strong second period scoring seven points with Miller adding four.
Boone provided the only offense for the Maples in the second quarter, scoring all eight points as the Gators took a 33-15 lead at the half.
“Ben is a senior and our team captain and a four-year starter. He’s a tough kid. The team looks up to him,” Maples first-year coach Wes Loring said. “This is a young group with a lot of first time basketball players. I’m proud of the way they came out and fought back in the second half.”
The Boone started the third quarter scoring the Maples’ first five points, forcing the Gators to call a timeout.
Kyle Toth hit one of two free throws. Matt Mammarella and Plisko scored consecutive baskets giving the Gators a 38-20 lead. Boone came back with two free throws, then Miller countered with a basket for Geibel. Matt Hein hit his second three of the game for Mapletown as the Gators took a 40-25 lead into the fourth period.
“I felt the intensity wasn’t there for us in the second half,” Hughes said. “We started forcing too many passes. We were able to get the ball in to Miller the second half who gave us a little advantage with his size.”
In that fourth quarter the Gators put Miller to work as he scored eight of Geibel’s 11 points before turning the game over to the reserves. The Gators move on to the championship game against California. The Trojans defeated Beth-Center, 68-28.
Geibel Catholic Tipoff Tournament
Mapletown 7-8-10-12 –37
Geibel Catholic 15-18-7-11 –51
Mapletown: Ben Boone 26. Geibel Catholic: Bailey Miller 14, James Ewing 12, Brent Plisko 11. Records: Mapletown 0-1, Geibel Catholic (1-0).