By Joe Sager
New Castle News

Balance is a bonus.

That’s what the Shenango High boys basketball team found out last night. Nearly all five Wildcats starters reached double figures in scoring as they posted a 59-42 win over Laurel to open the Union Athletic Boosters Holiday Tournament at Mike Covelli Field House.

Ryan Smith, Sam Sibeto and Ryley Ferrari all scored 14 points to help snap Shenango’s four-game losing skid. The ’Cats (2-5) meet Union at 7:30 p.m. today in the championship game. The Spartans (2-5) meet Wilmington in the 4:30 p.m. consolation battle.

“I think we needed (momentum) more than anything else. I thought we played hard,” Shenango coach Bob McQuiston said. “We’re a different team when we play hard and play together. A lot of guys stepped up at different times. Sam Sibeto had a great first half. He kind of carried us.”

Sibeto scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half. He had eight of them in a crucial second quarter. His buckets helped Shenango increase its lead from 11-6 after the first to 28-20 at halftime.

The ’Cats gained more separation in the third quarter. They opened with a 7-2 run before Laurel called a timeout. Shenango kept it going after the whistle with Ferrari’s 3-pointer and two free throws to post a 40-22 advantage with 2:10 remaining in the quarter.

“That’s a key. You have to have a good start. In the second half, that first three minutes, we tell the kids is really important. We want to come right out off the bat and have a quick start,” McQuiston said. “I thought the kids played well. When you’re shooting the ball well, that helps. We made some shots and that makes a difference.”

While the ’Cats’ shooters were hot in the third, Laurel’s were not. After Noah Wertz converted a bucket, the Spartans were shut out for the next 4:11 until Jacob Wilson found the bottom of net.

“When you shoot the ball the way we shot it, you’re not going to win too many games, let alone be in them. It’s upsetting, but it is what it is. There are not too many ways to explain it,” Laurel coach Ken Locke said. “We didn’t play real well, but I thought, at times, when we did get a chance to get back in it, we had some good looks and layups that we didn’t finish.

“We never thought we were where we couldn’t come back when their lead was in double digits. We just couldn’t get that one or two strung together to get it under 10 and give ourselves a chance.”

Shenango’s lead grew to 20 points, 51-31, halfway through the fourth, but the Spartans appeared to gain a little momentum. They trimmed the deficit to 15 points, 53-38, with 3:04 to go. However, Laurel could not continue that push.

“Laurel is a tough team. Nothing is secure, because Laurel doesn’t quit and their kids are tough,” McQuiston said. “I know Coach Locke does a good job with those guys and they are going to battle, no matter what the score is.”

Brenton Booher had nine points for the ’Cats, while James Micco added eight.

Wilson led Laurel with 11 points. Josh Dando had nine and Mason Mraz had eight.

The two teams meet again Jan. 7 at Laurel in a WPIAL Section 2-AA battle.

“It’ll be tough. We’ll go there and I know they’ll want to avenge this loss, so to speak,” McQuiston said. “I know they’ll play well on their home floor and they’ll get after it and it’ll be a physical game.”

The teams meet Jan. 31 at Shenango as well.

“If there was a ‘good’ one to lose to them, this was the good one to lose, but you don’t like to say that,” Locke said. “We’ll just have to regroup. We get them in the section twice coming up. Hopefully, we’ll be ready for that.”