Wilmington edges Laurel in OT
Wilmington (51) Vs. Laurel (49)
Feb 13, 2012
Missed opportunities proved costly for the Laurel High boys basketball team on Saturday.
The Spartans missed three front-ends of a one-and-one in overtime and Wilmington took advantage.
The Greyhounds’ Anthony Derrick made a layup with one second left in the extra period to knock off visiting Laurel in nonsection action, 51-49.
“Anthony has been our go-to guy all year,” Wilmington coach Mike Jeckavitch said. “I was confident he would make it.
“He’s been so good at getting to the rim this year and he’s so hard to stop.”
Wilmington (9-11) was coming off a 58-45 District 10, Region 2-AA loss to Lakeview on Friday.
“It was important for us to get some momentum back,” Jeckavitch said. “We had some tired legs and it showed.
“The kids didn’t want to go out with a loss in their last home game of the year. They wanted it and they found a way to get it done.”
The Spartans turned the ball over with 25 seconds remaining and the game tied at 49, setting up Derrick’s heroics. Laurel’s shot at the buzzer fell short.
“Wilmington capitalized on their opportunity,” Laurel coach Mike Tinstman said. “It was frustrating because we played hard.
“If we had made our foul shots, that would have made things a whole lot easier for us.”
The Spartans (2-20) were 5 of 10 from the foul line for the game.
Laurel, which trailed 21-15 at halftime and 38-34 after three quarters, had a shot to win the game at the end of regulation but it was just off the mark. It was the season finale for the Spartans.
“I’m very pleased with the effort from my players,” Tinstman said. “They wanted to go out with a win; they gave it their best shot.
“It was a difficult year. We expected more. The young men played hard to the end.”
Derrick recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Greyhounds. Matt Bowen was next with 12 markers. Ryan Crawford and Vince Pitzulo registered four steals apiece for the victors.
Todd Fennick tallied 17 points, five rebounds and four assists for Laurel. Ten of Fennick’s points came in the third quarter. Ryan Hites was next with nine points.
Richard Jones contributed eight markers and five rebounds for the Spartans, while Josh Dando tossed in five points with five boards.
Wilmington (5-3 region) opens the critical final week of the regular season at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow when it travels to last-place Mercer (1-7, 5-15).
The Greyhounds, who are tied for second with Sharpsville (5-3, 12-8), closes out the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday with a road matchup against the Blue Devils. Sharpsville is coached by former Neshannock bench boss Jim Smiley.
Wilmington and Sharpsville are battling for District 10, Class AA at-large playoff berths.
“We feel like the fate lies in our hands,” Jeckavitch said. “The kids are real excited and real focused. I know how bad they want it.”
“If we can get six league wins, I think that will put us in. But we want to make sure there’s no question about it.”