Andria gets first win as Gator coach
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Geibel Catholic picked up its first win of the Dan Andria era in running past Mapletown, 60-45, Friday at Geibel. “Mapletown hustled to get back into the game a couple of times tonight, but the kids responded,” Andria said. “I felt we played a little smarter basketball tonight, especially toward the end of the game, when we ran some time off the clock and got to the foul line.”
The Gators jumped out to a 14-7 led in the first quarter, but the Maples came back with seven straight points. Cory Minnick started the comeback with a basket, then Marcus Cumpston, who scored 11, hit a three pointer, and Jarrett Porterfield, who had a game-high 21, scored to tie the game at 14 at the end of one.
“Jarrett is the leader of this team. When he gets going the other guys pick it up,” Mapletown coach Bo Garnek said. “Geibel is a little bigger than we are and out-rebounded us tonight. We’ll see them again and be a little better prepared.”
Ed Schweiss, who led the Gators with 15 points and 12 rebounds, scored to open the second quarter. Porterfield counter with a three to give the Maples a 17-16 lead.
The Gators responded with a 10-0 run to open up a 26-17 lead. Cumpston and Porterfield fired back with two three-pointers to cut the Gator lead to 26-23.
Pat Urosek came back with four straight points with a field goal and two free throws. Christian Henckel scored two of his 10 points to give the Gators a 32-23 lead.
Cumpston scored for the Maples, then Taylor Nowicki, who added 14, scored consecutive buckets for a 36-25 Gators lead. Porterfield hit one more before the half ended as the Gators took a 36-27 lead at halftime.
“We only played seven people and we wore down a little bit,” Garnek said. “We got ourselves in trouble allowing them to have too many second shots. We’ve just got to continue to work to build our stamina.”
In the third period, Nowicki hit two free throws making the score 38-27. The Maples responded with baskets from Minnick and Cumpston to cut the lead to 38-31. Aaron Agostini scored for the Gators making the score 40-31. The Maples came back again on a three by William Cox and two free throws from Cumpston making the score 40-36. Geibel led, 44-36, after three.
“I thought Mapletown out-hustled us at times in the first half,” Andria said. “In the second half, I felt the guys coming off the bench gave us some energy and helped turn the game in our favor.”