Red Raiders return home with hard-fought 61-53 win
CONNELLSVILLE — The Uniontown Red Raiders went on the road Friday night and came away with a hard-fought 61-53 win over the Connellsville Falcons in the Fayette County Coaches Association Tournament.
The Red Raiders (2-0, 7-1) got a game-high 22 points from Chris Kezmarsky, with 15 of those coming from beyond the 3-point line. Jordan Pratt was the only other Uniontown player to reach double figures with 14.
The Falcons (0-2, 2-7) had three players reach double figures. Trent Bauer led the Falcons with 18. He was followed by Jade Maher with 16 and Caleb Pittsment with 10.
“This was a good test for our kids, as well as Connellsville,” Uniontown’s Rob Kezmarsky said. “Connellsville was coming off a tough section loss and really came after us tonight. I’m proud of the way my kids kept their composure because it’s always an emotional game when we play each other.”
Uniontown edged out to a 13-9 lead in the first quarter. Bauer scored the game’s first basket for the Falcons, but the Red Raiders came back with 10 straight points on Kezmarsky’s trey, a free throw and a basket from Birdie Winfrey, and consecutive scores from Jeremy Perkins and Joe Campbell.
Uniontown opened with an 8-2 run in the second quarter to pull out to a 21-11 lead. Kezmarsky started the run, hitting one of two technicals that was called against the Connellsville bench and a basket. Bauer scored for the Falcons, then Kezmarsky was left alone for another trey and a basket.
A technical foul was called against the Red Raiders, but the Falcons missed both free throws. Maher was later fouled and hit both free throws, and the Falcons got a basket from Pittsment to cut the Uniontown lead to 21-15. The Falcons could get no closer and trailed by seven at the half, 28-21.
“I felt we didn’t do a good job of challenging their shots and gave them too many second chances in the first half,” Connellsville’s Dan Bosnic said. “We got close a couple of times in the second half and didn’t take advantage of our opportunities.”
The Falcons opened the second half by outscoring the Red Raiders, 5-2, to cut the lead down to four, 30-26, before Campbell scored for Uniontown. The Falcons managed to pull to within three at 34-31. But, Kezmarsky hit a three followed by baskets from Xavier Ellis and Perkins to push the Uniontown lead to 41-31. The Falcons came back to cut the lead the five, trailing Uniontown 44-39 after three.
In the fourth quarter the Red Raiders spread the floor and worked the clock, outscoring the Falcons, 17-14, in the final period with Pratt controlling the offense for Uniontown scoring seven.
“I’m really impressed at the way our guards stepped up tonight because we went four corners for the last six minutes of the game,” Kezmarsky said. “I think this game will help both teams. It’s always tough to come into Connellsville and get a win, so we are very pleased to get this win.”
Boys Basketball Sum
Fayette County Coaches Tournament
at Connellsville
Uniontown 13-15-16-17 — 61
Connellsville 9-12-18-14 — 53
Uniontown: Chris Kezmarsky 22, Jordan Pratt 14. Connellsville: Trent Bauer 18, Jade Maher 16, Caleb Pittsment 10. Records: Uniontown (2-0, 7-1), Connellsville (0-2, 2-7).