NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: JOHNSON CITY TOPS ATHENS IN WOITACH TIP-OFF CONSOLATION GAME (24 PHOTOS) (2024-12-14)
Valley Sports ReportJOHNSON CITY — Johnson City raced out to an early lead, and gradually pulled away in a 54-40 win over Athens here Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the Mark Woitach Tip-Off Tournament.
"It was tough weekend for us," said Athens coach Jim Lister.
"It’s not our effort, the effort is there," noted Lister. "After four games, we are averaging 18 turnovers per game, and we just are not making the high-percentage shots.
"Plus we are only shooting 55 percent from the charity stripe.
"(Scoring) was my fear going into the season," added Lister. "We are getting the looks, but the ball is just not going in the basket. We have to fix these things to be successful this season."
JC built a 19-12 lead after the first eight minutes, then outscored Athens 16-12 in the second quarter to take a 35-24 lead into the halftime intermission.
Junior Nick Grazul scored six points in the opening stanza for the Wildcats, while junior Adam Kemp scored five points, including a 3-pointer, and senior Troy Rosenbloom drained a trey in the second quarter.
Senior Jase Babcock scored seven points, including a trey, and junior Eli Hobday added a 3-pointer for Athens, but JC outscored Athens 13-12 in the third quarter to extend its lead to 48-36 heading into the final eight minutes.
Kemp's 3-pointer was Athens' only field goal in the fourth quarter as JC used a 6-4 spurt to provide the final margin.
Kemp led Athens with 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, while Babcock scored nine points, Grazul added eight points, and Rosenbloom chipped in with five points.
Keon Saintilien led JC with 22 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, and Felix Morales IV scored 19 points.
Athens, now 1-3, hosts Cowanesque Valley Monday night.
——————
IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Jase Babcock. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens junior Adam Kemp. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
Print Friendly Version
