Jan 25, 2007 By Jim Downey 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Frazier wasn’t able to close in Tuesday’s overtime loss to Carmichaels because the Commodores couldn’t hang onto a 6-point lead in the waning moments of the non-section game. This time the Commodores kept their heads about them while Geibel Catholic lost its composure at the wrong time as Frazier, on the strength of Greg Johnson’s game-high 33 points, returned home Wednesday with a hard-fought 74-68 non-section road victory.

“This was a great high school basketball game,” praised Frazier coach Larry Mikesell. “Fans should have packed the gym. You didn’t have to be a fan of one of the two teams, just a basketball fan to enjoy this game.”

The game followed a tight pattern for most of the first 24 minutes. Frazier built a cushion, Geibel rallied, Frazier pulled away again, Geibel rallied, etc.

Johnson’s second 3-pointer in the first quarter gave Frazier a 12-7 lead, but near-perfect free throw shooting (8-of-10) and a Josh Herman 3-pointer eventually gave the Gators a 16-13 lead. Frazier responded with an 8-4 run over the final two minutes for a 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Johnson took over the second quarter for the Commodores, scoring 12 points to help Frazier take a 39-30 lead with about three minutes to go in the half. The Commodores were able match the Gators’ output for a 44-36 halftime lead.

Geibel coach Ken Misiak changed the defense, going to a box-and-1 to cool down Johnson, and the strategy worked as the long-range shooter was held to a single 3-pointer midway through the quarter.

Not only did the Geibel defense stifle Johnson, but it also did an effective job on the entire Frazier offense by allowing only seven points in the third quarter.

After Frank Bartolomucci’s short jumper early in the quarter gave the Commodores a 10-point cushion, Geibel’s offense, bolstered by its improved defensive effort, starting making some shots behind the stellar play of Robert Orange.

Orange scored 11 of his 17 points in the quarter, including the final two, as Geibel rallied to take a 56-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“Robert Orange did a tremendous job on the boards for us again,” lauded Misiak. Orange grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds to finish with a double-double.

Frazier started the final quarter on a 6-0 run for a 57-56 lead, but Geibel pulled back into the lead, 64-61, with four minutes behind momentum provided by full-court defensive pressure.

The Gators had a pair of free throws for the chance to go ahead by five, but the shots were missed and Johnson then became a one-man wrecking crew, scoring the next 10 points for Frazier to give the Commodores command of the game at 71-64 with about a minute remaining.

Frazier’s Jimmy Traynor added five points in the quarter to finish with 14, while grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds. Tim Holt pulled down 11.

“We lost our composure,” said Misiak. “We missed two free throws and then turned the ball over. The kids gave a good effort. It’s just mentally; they go through a spell.

“We better have learned something. I saw some good things. We hustled on defense, but we have to find another guy for an offensive threat.”

Herman scored 17 for the Gators before fouling out, and Tyler Erdely was also in double figures with 15. Mark Gira went 5-of-5 from the foul line to finish with nine points, adding six assists and four steals.

“We needed something like that,” said Mikesell. “I’m really proud of my kids. We have great team awareness. We seldom see a box-and-1 (on Johnson) and they responded.

“It was a magnificent performance. Kenny’s a legend. They have a nice team. It’s just nice to win here.”

Frazier (9-9) begins the second half of Section 3-A play Friday at Trinity Christian while the Gators (7-7) host Jefferson-Morgan on Senior Night.