STAC BOYS BASKETBALL: WAVERLY FALLS AT OWEGO, 49-44 (22 PHOTOS) (2025-01-17)

Valley Sports Report
OWEGO — Waverly has had little luck at Owego over the years, and Friday night was no different as the River Hawks topped the Wolverines, 49-44, in STAC Central Division boys basketball action.

"We had too many missed opportunities," said Waverly coach Lou Judson. "We missed at least six free throws in the first half that could have extended our lead a little bit.

"And, down the stretch we played uncomposed and couldn't get into our offensive sets, then when the opportunities arose we didn't make game-winning plays, and (Owego) did.

"Credit them, we've struggled playing in that gym for many, many years, but I enjoy playing Owego — it feels more like a rivalry game, similar to Notre Dame and Watkins Glen over the years," added Judson.

Owego hit a trio of 3-pointers — two by Joseph Palladino and one by Kingston Brainard — and led 14-11 after the first quarter.

Senior Fletcher Good scored nine points in the second quarter to spark a 15-11 spurt for the Wolverines, who took a 26-25 lead into the halftime locker room. Waverly was 5-for-11 from the free-throw line in the stanza.

Juniors Hogan Shaw and Ronin Ault each canned 3-pointers in the third quarter, and junior Carter Davies added an old-fashion three-point play, but Jack Buchsbaum and Carter Rieg scored four points apiece for the River Hawks, who outscored Waverly, 14-10, to take a 39-36 lead into the final eight minutes.

Owego led by as many as six points in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Hogan Shaw with 4:15 remaining closed the gap to 46-44. However, the Wolverines were held scoreless the remainder of the game.

Hogan Shaw led Waverly with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Good had nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals, and junior Porter Daddona had seven points and nine rebounds.

Junior Carter Davies had six points and four rebounds for the Wolverines, while Ault had four points and four rebounds, sophomore Bryce LaForest had four points and two assists, and sophomore Carson Rockwell dished out four assists.

Palladino led a balanced Owego attack with 11 points, and Rieg added nine.

Waverly, now 7-4, returns to action Saturday afternoon at S-VE.

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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Hogan Shaw. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly's Porter Daddona. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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