NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: SAYRE TURNS UP THE DEFENSE IN 66-37 WIN OVER WYALUSING (2024-12-17)

Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Sayre turned up the defensive intensity early in the game, converted turnovers into fast-break points on its way to a 66-37 win over Wyalusing here Tuesday night in NTL boys basketball action.

The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Redskins, who improve to 3-2 on the season.

"We played much better tonight as a team," said Sayre coach Paul Blythe. "We didn’t play real well on defense to start, and Wyalusing was able to set some off-ball screens and get a few quick buckets.  

"We made a run and (Wyalusing) called a time out," noted Blythe. "We came out in our press and I told the guys we needed to ratchet up the pressure a bit and make them play our game. When we did that, we caused turnovers and forced them to play at our tempo.

"It was a good night all around. We still haven’t played our best ball for sure, but it was better," added Blythe. "We have a lot to clean up and focus on, drill down on and perfect, but once we do, I still like our chances against anyone in 2A, and not just District 4."

Senior Nick Pellicano pumped in 11 points in the first quarter, while senior Ryan Ressler added five points, and senior Zach Senese connected on a 3-pointer to lead Sayre to a 21-14 lead after the opening stanza.

Senior Hudson Trump had seven points, including a 3-pointer, while Ressler scored six points, Pellicano added four points, and Senese canned another 3-pointer in a 22-8 Sayre blitz that upped the lead to 43-22 at the half.

Sayre increased its lead in the third quarter as Trump scored six points and Pellicano added four points in a 12-7 spurt that gave the Redskins a 55-29 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Pellicano led Sayre with 25 points, four assists, and four steals, and Trump scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

"Nick (Pellicano) had a great night shooting ... he got into the lane often and had Hudson Trump playing as Robin to his Batman, which we lacked the last two games," said Blythe.

Ressler had 13 points and eight rebounds in the win, while Senese scored eight points, junior Karter Green grabbed five rebounds, and senior Theo Molina had three steals.

Sayre hosts Williamson Thursday night.

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IN PHOTO: Sayre's Nick Pellicano.

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