DOWN THE LANE – Weir High’s Anthony Jeffers goes up for a shot attempt past Oak Glen’s Eliya Nisley, Noah Wille and Will Weeley during Friday night’s game. – Andrew Grimm
Weirton – There’s still a lot of basketball left, but Friday night’s rivalry game against Oak Glen was a very important game for Weir High.
Participating in a three-game skid and with their lowest offensive output of the season in the last two of these games, the Red Riders have a team meeting and know the Golden Bears will have to respond. It took me some time to regroup before I knew it.
They sure did.
After scoring just 23 Wednesday night at Indian Creek, the Red Riders are firing on all cylinders as they break the 70-point mark for only the third time this season, earn a rematch at the Golden Bears and avenge their opening night loss. It looked like you were clicking. 71-44 victory.
“We had a really good practice (Thursday), the guys bought out and had a team meeting. We did a little bit in the seven range. We taught them.” , Weir High head coach Anthony Santangelo said. “It was a gut check night for us, and the guys answered. We had to be locked in and ready, and the guys really stepped up.”
The Red Riders (4-9) nearly beat their total from Wednesday in the first quarter, scoring 20 points in the opening eight minutes.
Nine different players contributed to the score sheet, and all 12 could see at least a bucket, rebound, assist, or steal on the floor.
Damir Moder led the Charge with 18 points and 6 boards, and Anthony Jeffers had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 triples with 3 rebounds and 3 assists for 13 points. I did.
“It’s a contribution from everyone and that’s what we really emphasized to them,” Santangelo said. “We have to root for each other. We want to fill that scoreboard. That’s what it takes to win. A lot of people are contributing and doing their part. I’m finding a way.”
After leading 20-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Red Riders pushed their advantage to 14 at the break at 35-21 and really took control with a 10-0 run to start the third quarter. 27 in the second half before both teams sank.
For the Golden Bears (4-10), it was the ninth loss after a 4-1 start to the season.
“It’s been a few nights now,” Oak Glen head coach Jerry Everly said. “We’re just in a funk right now and we can’t seem to get out of it. It starts with me.
“We lost confidence. We are a young team and it doesn’t take long for a young team to lose confidence. When you lose it, it’s hard to get it back. We is looking for a spark, but hasn’t found it yet.
Oak Glen was led by 10 points from Noah Willey, and Gavin Geis tallied nine points, six rebounds and five assists.
next
Oak Glen: Another tough challenge on Tuesday as they welcome 11-3 Toronto to The Bears Den.
Weir High: Will look to build on their momentum when East Liverpool comes to Weirton on Tuesday night.
Weir High 71, Oak Glen 44
OG 13-8-12-11 – 44
WH 20-15-19-17 – 71
Oak Glen (4-10): Kell 1 1-2 3; Weekly 1 1-3 3; Willie 5 0-1 10; Geisse 3 3-4 9; Evans 1 0-0 2; Knisely 3 0-0 6; hissam 2 0-0 4; Dawson 1 0-0 2; ATES 1 0-0 3; Hartung 1 0-02. Totals: 19, 5-10; 44.
Weir High (4-9): Mowder 8 2-5 18; Glyptis 1 0-1 2; Jeffers 6 1-1 14; Horstman 3 0-0 6; Lyon 5 0-0 13; J. Kaczmarek 2 1-2 6;Stevenson 3 0-0 6;Douglas 0 0-0 0;E. Kaczmarek 0 0-0 0; McNeely 1 0-0 2; Rush 2 0-0 4; Haust 0 0-00. Totals: 31, 4-9; 71.
3-pointers: Oak Glen 1 (ATES); Weir High 5 (Lyons 3, Jeffers, J. Kaczmarek). Assists: Oak Glen 17 (Geisse 5); Weir High 23 (Jeffers 6). Rebounds: Oak Glen 19 (Geisse 6); Weir High 25 (Jeffers 7). Steals: Oak Glen 4 (1 and 4); Weir High 5 (Jeffers 3). Turnovers: Oak Glen 15; Weir High 8.
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