Brownsville pulls out 59-57 win at Frazier
Frazier's Robert Gondura (21) scores two of his game-high 20 points against Brownsville.
Brownsville's Mike Murdock (35) puts up a left-handed shot for two of his 12 points against Frazier.
Brownsville's Mike Murdock (35) gets around Frazier's Robert Gondura (21) during Friday's game at Frazier.
PERRYOPOLIS — Brownsville opened Section 4-AA boys basketball action in grand fashion by pulling out a 59-57 win at Frazier Friday night.
The Falcons (3-1 overall) won the section opener despite trailing much of the game. Brownsville’s biggest lead of the game was four points, 57-53, with 1:50 remaining and they held only four other leads until the end.
Josh Mapstone hit a 5-foot leaner with five seconds remaining to provide the winning margin. He and Tre Durkin shared the scoring lead for the Falcons with 13 points each and each player made three three-pointers. Mike Murdock poured in 12 coming off the bench.
Frazier (2-2) lost for the second time in three games this week, but this one hurt the most, since it was the section opener against a rival.
“It’s very competitive in this section, especially between us and Brownsville and California,” Frazier coach Ed Keebler said. “Whoever wins, it’s usually only by a couple of points. We’re all very evenly matched.”
On this night, Frazier won the inside match-up, as Robert Gondura led all scorers with 20 points and Charles Manack added 14.
But Brownsville had a distinct advantage outside the three-point line, as Durkin and Mapstone netted six, C.J. Gaddis nailed two and Cole Novotney added one off the bench. Rock Vargo had Frazier’s only three-pointer.
Frazier opened the game by dominating underneath and took a 21-12 lead at the first break.
“Frazier always plays us tough,” Brownsville coach Brian Brashear said. “They did a lot of screen-and-roll plays in the first quarter that gave us problems. But we made some adjustments and got our kids to bust through the screens and make plays.”
Defense and some timely three-pointers got Brownsville back int he game in the middle quarters. Durkin hit a pair in the second quarter, the second bringing the Falcons to within two points, 27-25 and Gaddis hit a couple back-to-back in the third to cut a 43-38 deficit down to 45-44.
Mapstone’s three tied the score, 47-47, to open the final quarter and the teams went back and forth until Brownsville scored six in a row, the last four from Murdock, to take a 57-53 lead with 1:50 remaining.
Frazier battled back to tie the score, but couldn’t answer Mapstone’s winning hoop.
“We had a few turnovers down the stretch and Brownsville took advantage of them,” Keebler said. “We had a layup at the end. We called a play and it worked. We just missed it.”
“This win is a tribute to the leadership C.J. Gaddis provided, especially in the second half,” Brashear said. “He kept us very composed. We were focused since we got on the bus to come here.”
“We know what we have to do,” Keebler said. They hit a lot of threes on us, which is hard to do on the road, but at least we know what to work on.”
Both teams hit the road on Tuesday, Frazier staying in section at Charleroi and Brownsville traveling to Carmichaels for a non-section game.
Section 4-A
Brownsville 59, Frazier 57
Brownsville-12-17-15-15–59
Frazier-21-10-16-10–57
Brownsville: Tre Durkin 13, Josh Mapstone 13, Mike Murdock 12. Frazier: Robert Gondura 20, Charles Manack 14. Records: Brownsville (3-1, 1-0), Frazier (2-2, 0-1). JV Score: Brownsville 49 (Cole Novotney 15), Frazier 36 (Paul Pellick 12).