Fast start leads Cougars over Gators, 83-56
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — Yough got off to a blistering start in the first quarter, which provided too big a deficit for Geibel Catholic to overcome in the Cougars’ 83-56 non-section win on Wednesday night.
Yough (0-2, 2-6) plays in Section 1-AAAA, and had three players reach double figures. Jarett Bach scored a game-high 26 to lead the Cougars. He was backed by Danny Gibler (19) and Gamal Marballie (16).
“We needed to win for our confidence because we’re one of the youngest teams in the WPIAL with only one senior on the squad,” Yough coach Casey Copeman said. “I’m glad with our overall play tonight. We limited turnovers, showed some defensive intensity and shot the ball with confidence and spread the scoring around.”
The Gators (0-0, 1-3) gathered themselves after a bad first quarter to remain competitive, but the deficit was just too great. Geibel had three players in double figures. Jordan Hayes lead the Gators with 15. Cole Kendall scored 14 and Jacob Soliday came off the bench to add 10.
“Overall I think we need to be more physical and I think when we went man-to-man that helped us, but we need to be smarter and not take bad fouls,” Geibel coach Brian Henckel said.
Yough sprinted out to a 27-10 lead in the first that was powered by a 23-2 run to open the game. They got eight points apiece from Marballie and Bach while Gibler tossed in seven.
The Gators regrouped in the second, outscoring the Cougars, 16-14, with Kendall hitting for seven and Hayes scoring six, but Geibel still trailed at halftime, 41-26.
Yough went on another quick run, outscoring the Gators, 11-3, to start the period opening up a 52-29 lead, and went on to take an 18-7 advantage in the third to comfortably go into the fourth with a 59-33 lead.
The Gators’ big men continued to play hard in the fourth, giving Henckel a reason to be encouraged.
“Jordan Hayes did a good job tonight,” Henckel said. “We’re looking to get more of that kind of effort out of him. He has a chance to be a real force in this section.
“I was very pleased by the effort of Jacob Soliday coming off the bench tonight. Hopefully, this is a good sign going into conference play. I’ve just got to keep them playing smart, aggressive defense.”
The Gators enter Section 2-A play Friday night at West Greene.