Falcons fall to Panthers
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville boys basketball team dropped its sixth game in a row Wednesday night, losing 77-48, to Franklin Regional. The loss drops the Falcons to 1-3 in conference play and 3-8 overall.
In what seemed to be a reoccurring bad dream for the Falcons, a slow first quarter put Connellsville into yet another early hole that would be too much for it to overcome.
“I think the kids are starting to learn what it takes to get yourself out of these situations,” said Connellsville coach Nick Bosnic. “And it’s not easy. We need to start out playing some of these teams, outworking them and just simply playing better.”
Franklin Regional used the same full-court press defense that has left the Falcons offense frustrated for most of the season. Heading into the game Connellsville was averaging less than 50 points per game while shooting under 40 percent from the field.
Last night would be no different as the Falcons were again plagued with turnovers and shots that simply would not fall.
“There is not one magic solution to it,” Bosnic said. “It’s not one change, it’s not one play and it’s not one strategy. Right now we are simply struggling in every single aspect of the game of basketball.”
Offensively, the Panthers used a balanced scoring attack as they built a commanding 37-17 lead heading into the half. They continued to pile on the points early in the third quarter as sophomores Nick Novak and Anthony Vendemia carried the play as they did for much of the first half.
The two combined for 29 points on the night, while Novak led all scorers with 15.
After another Vendemia basket at the 3:29 mark of the third quarter, Bosnic called a timeout with the Falcons trailing by 30 points in an effort to settle his young team.
Sophomore Mason Leos started his second consecutive game for Connellsville and led all Falcons scorers with nine points, including one 3-point field goal.
It was the first time in five games that someone other than John Dilworth led the Falcons’ scoring.
Dilworth was held in check for most of the night as he drew a number of double teams and was held scoreless until the 1:30 mark of the second quarter.
“That seems to be the strategy of the teams we play,” said Bosnic. “They put two guys on John and try to shut him down, we still need to try and work on some things to open him up a little bit.”
The Falcons will attempt to end their current skid on Friday night when they travel to Norwin High School to take on the first place Knights – who have now won 12 in a row – with a 7:30 tip-off.