Dec 15, 2002 By Daniel Lutz For The 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Patience and a strong defensive showing in the second half helped propel Waynesburg Central to a 57-48 win over Derry Friday night. Senior P.J. Schumacher had 20 points in the victory for the Raiders. “P.J. was extremely frustrated in the first quarter,” said coach Ed Zelich. “He likes to score; in the final three quarters he was able to get 20 points in transition and through rebounding.”

In the second half, Waynesburg Central (4-2 overall, 1-1 in Section 3-AAA) went to a triangle and two defense, containing Derry’s two best shooters, senior Neal McClarren and junior Ryan DeMary. In fact, Waynesburg’s defense stopped just about all Trojans and allowed only 16 total points in the second half.

“We had sets for (the triangle and two),” said Derry coach Tom Esposito. “We didn’t execute, we stood around and that’s why we lost the basketball game.”

DeMary led Derry (1-5, 1-1) with 16 points, while McClarren added 14.

In the first quarter, Waynesburg came out strong by taking an 8-2 lead on consecutive three pointers by senior Cory Walsh and junior Robert Rohanna. Unfortunately, play got sloppy for the Raiders, and the offense committed back-to-back turnovers.

DeMary scored the next four points of the game and Dewey Schmitt’s basket tied the score at eight.

After that, McClarren and Rohanna traded three pointers. At the end of the first quarter the Raiders held a 15-13 edge.

Derry took control of the game in the second quarter gaining the lead, 23-22. The lead increased to five by halftime, 32-27. Additionally, DeMary had the shooting touch as he scored 10 of Derry’s 19 points in the quarter. Steve Wyszomierski added four and McClarren three.

Meanwhile, the Raider offense netted 12 points, eight of which came off the hand of Schumacher. Rohanna had two points, as did sophomore Nate Stoner who had a team high nine rebounds for the game.

In the locker room at halftime, Zelich and the Raiders made the adjustment to the triangle and two, and during the third quarter the defense worked perfectly as the Trojans only managed six points.

One of Derry’s baskets was a three-pointer by junior Andrew Downs. The Raider offense maintained its patience chipping away at the Derry lead. Schumacher scored eight points while Stoner and Billy Becker had two points apiece.

At the end of the third quarter Waynesburg held a one-point lead, 39-38.

Early in the fourth quarter, Schmitt reacquired the lead for Derry, 40-39, with his two-point jumper.

With 5:28 remaining in the game, Scott Cree hit a three-pointer to give Waynesburg Central a 44-40 lead; a lead they would not relinquish.

Junior Aaron Carpenter made two free throws and added a two-point basket for his only points of the game.

With a six-point lead, Waynesburg slowed down the tempo and eventually Derry started to foul.

DeMary fouled out with 27 seconds remaining, and Waynesburg coaches, players and fans celebrated their first section victory of the season.

For the game, Waynesburg converted 20-of-45 from the field, six of which Schumacher contributed.

These two teams will meet again Jan. 21 at Derry. Waynesburg Central hosts Mount Pleasant Tuesday, while Derry hosts Uniontown.