Valley Sports ReportROME, Pa. — Senior Nick Pellicano pumped in 27 points to lead Sayre to a 58-33 win over Northeast Bradford here Friday night in NTL Small School Division boys basketball action.
ayre coach Paul Blythe said the Redskins are focused on the Small School title.
"We went to Northeast tonight with a single focus — the Small School title," he said. "We knew we needed to set that tone tonight.
"We threw a couple different presses we haven’t shown yet at them," noted Blythe. "We got into our zone, played some man, and really took care of the ball tonight.
"It was a wonderful team effort tonight. I can’t be more proud of how we played," added Blythe. "Anytime you hold a team, any team to single-digit scoring for three quarters, it’s a great defensive effort."
The Panthers got out to a good start, and led 16-15 after the first eight minutes, but the Redskin defense limited them to just 17 points for the remainder of the game.
Pellicano, who had six points in the first quarter, scored 11 points in the second quarter to fuel a 13-4 run that gave the Redskins a 28-20 lead at the half.
Senior Hudson Trump scored five points in the third quarter, and Pellicano added four points in a 14-6 spurt that pushed the lead to 42-26 entering the finale eight minutes.
Pellicano scored six more points in the fourth quarter to spark a game-closing 16-7 run to sew up the win.
Pellicano had seven rebounds and five assists to go along with his 27 points, while Trump had 11 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot.
"Nick (Pellicano) was aggressive on the offensive end and settled well on defense, forcing them into the looks we wanted them to take not what they wanted to take," said Blythe.
"Hudson (Trump) had his seventh double-double in 11 games, and between him and Ryan (Ressler), we owned the paint and the glass — something they both pride themselves on," added Blythe.
Senior Zach Senese had nine points, four assists, and three rebounds in the win, while senior Ryan Ressler added seven points, three rebounds, and two blocked shots, junior Karter Green had four rebounds, three assists, and one blocked shot, and senior Dalton Forrest chipped in with three rebounds and two blocked shots.
Sayre improves to 8-3 on the season, and 3-0 in divisional play.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF TINA MAYNARD.
