By SPENCER BATES
batesoleanstar@gmail.com
ALLEGANY — The Salamanca boys basketball team proved unshaken by the holiday break as its defensive identity and transition offense carried it to a big win over Bradford in the 7th annual Joe DeCerbo Holiday Showcase.
The Warriors and the Owls were just about inseparable throughout the early stages of the game, with the latter’s defense clogging up the interior and forcing the former to find different avenues of offense. However, Salamanca did manage to find its way through and once it did, the lead snowballed to an eventual 70-40 win in its first non-league game of the season.
“We’ve grown quite a bit in the last week,” Salamanca coach Adam Bennett said. “And that’s what this whole thing is about. We’re trying to be the best version of ourselves in February and March, (there’s) a long way to go there. … We got through the first part of league play 2-0 and now we have the ability to grow together. Give credit to Bradford tonight, they punched us in the mouth early. … But (our) defensive effort in the second and the third quarter was outstanding. Just another opportunity to get better today.”
The Warriors’ offense was powered by a number of its typical contributors, Avery Brown finished with 10 points, Maddox Isaac with 14 and Payton Bradley with 12. But the points provided by the team’s youth were just as pivotal.
Salamanca’s Payton Bradley (3) puts up a hook shot while defended by Bradford’s Tarren Reese (3). (Salamanca Warrior Athletics)
Sophomore Jaxon Crouse led Salamanca with a game-high 15 points and earned the player of the game award for his team on the back of his performance. Other underclassmen, Dominick Hill, Axel Drugg, Carlton Farmer and Brendon Ghani combined for 15 points for the Warriors.
And as their youth continues to be a big factor in their offense in the early goings of the campaign, Bennett knows that if the trend continues there are good things for them in the near future.
“I’m really proud of Crouse, he is an excellent basketball player,” Bennett said. “We’ve talked the last week about playing with confidence, regardless of what happens, just letting it fly, and he did that today. There was no hesitation on his part. I thought every jumper he took, he was set, he was shot ready, he was putting down his shots. He got to the rim a couple of times. He has always been an outstanding defender, so I’m really happy for him, and he knows if he continues to play with that kind of confidence, good things are going to happen.”
Bradford’s Evan Troisi (2) looks to drive against Salamanca’s Dominick Hill (5). (Salamanca Warrior Athletics)
As for Bradford, coach John Bennardi noted that it was the turnovers that really killed the momentum his team’s defense was able to generate.
The Owls only trailed by six points at halftime, but a number of turnovers, that the Warriors took advantage of, led to a 23-5 third quarter scoreline in favor of Salamanca.
“We haven’t had more than 10 turnovers in a game all season, but we got eight in the third quarter,” Bennardi said. “I mean, you can’t let them go on a 23 -5 run, bottom line. … So that’s something we have to work on to get better. I was proud of the effort the whole game. I thought the first half we did well, we did a great job on the boards. Once we got down, we kind of pressed a little bit, I think we’ve got to sort that, but that’s part of the youth. That’s part of just learning how to play varsity basketball.”
Evan Troisi was Bradford’s player of the game with a team-high 13 points to his name.
Bradford’s second, and final, game in the Showcase will be against Allegany-Limestone at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 28. Salamanca will play its final game at the Showcase at 7:45 p.m. against Wellsville on Dec. 28 as well. Both games will be played at Allegany-Limestone.
Bradford’s Tarren Reese (3) and Salamanca’s Jacob Herrick (1) were named the sportsmanship award winners for the game while Bradford’s Evan Troisi (2) and Salamanca’s Jaxon Crouse (14) were named the Players of the Game. (Salamanca Warrior Athletics)
AT ALLEGANY
Salamanca (70)
Crouse 6 0-0 15, Isaac 6 1-2 14, Bradley 5 2-2 12, Brown 4 2-4 10, Drugg 2 1-2 6, Hill 2 0-0 4, Farmer 1 0-0 3, Herrick 1 0-0 2, Holleran 1 0-0 2, Ghani 1 0-0 2. Totals: 30 6-10 70
Bradford (40)
Troisi 3 4-7 13, Reese 2 2-2 7, Simmons 3 0-0 6, Roulo 0 4-4 4, Colley 2 0-0 4, Marasco 1 1-2 3, Sherk 0 3-4 3. Totals: 11 14-19 40
Sala. 12 30 53 70
Brad. 18 24 29 40
Three-point goals: Sala. 6 (Crouse 3, Farmer, Drugg, Isaac), Brad. 4 (Troisi 3, Reese); Total fouls: Sala. 17, Brad. 11; fouled out: None.
