By Joe Simon
New Castle News

John Sansone was having a career night — and it was only the first quarter.

But he wasn’t alone.

Sansone buried seven 3-pointers — five in the first quarter — but it wasn’t enough for Neshannock in a 66-61 Section 2-AA loss to Summit Academy.

Sansone scored a game-high 27 points and his seven 3-pointers were a personal best for the smooth-shooting senior guard. But the size of the Knights (two players who are 6-feet-8 and four others 6-4 or bigger), and an equally hot shooter, eventually got the best of the Lancers, who lost their tallest player, 6-4 Joe Iorio, in the first half to a dislocated elbow.

“He was a nice neutralizer to their size,” Neshannock coach John Corey said. “We lost him for the rest of the game, and for him to have six points and eight rebounds in not even a full half of basketball ... not having him finish greatly affected us.”

It didn’t alter Sansone’s touch. The senior, who also grabbed seven rebounds, made five steals and three assists, continued to pour it on after a 15-point first quarter in which he hit five 3s, keeping Neshannock (1-1, 2-3) within striking distance. But 6-8 Elijah Minnie was feeling it as well, making four 3-pointers and scoring 14 of his 22 in the first quarter.

Still, John Conglose hit two free throws with a minute remaining to pull the Lancers within one, but Omar Johnson (13 points) of Summit Academy corralled an offensive rebound and put it back in to extend the lead. The Lancers couldn’t inch any closer.

Ernie Burkes provided 17 points and five steals for Neshannock.