FPS staff report
February 1, 2010
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| Carrollton's Tyler Sheets guards a West Branch player during first half action of Friday's game at West Branch. Carrollton defeated West Branch 55-38. |
It was a battle of Warriors last Friday night at the West Branch Field House.
Carrollton trailed 4-0 early in the game, but took control in the middle of the first period and rolled to a 55-38 win to sweep the season series against their Northeastern Buckeye Conference rival.
The win improved the Warriors to 8-5 for the year and 6-4 in the NBC, while the green and white Warriors fell to 4-9 for the year and 1-9 in the league.
In the first quarter, West Branch took an early lead on baskets by Jake Gonci and Tylor Rockwell.
But Carrollton went on a 13-4 run to go up 13-8 before West Branch scored six quick points to tie the game at 13-13.
Carrollton closed out the first quarter with a 6-0 run to lead 19-13.
In the second quarter, West Branch cut the Carrollton lead down to four points at 22-18, but they would get no closer.
Carrollton turned up its pressure defense and forced a number of turnovers and took a 28-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The visiting Warriors took control of the game in the third quarter and held a 43-31 advantage into the final quarter.
Carrollton got good balanced scoring as senior Luke Starre led seven players with 14 points, while juniors Robbie Smith and Chris Ericksen each added 10.
Carrollton’s pressure defense forced 18 West Branch turnovers, while the visitors only committed 11 turnovers.
Despite the size advantage held by West Branch in the paint, Carrollton held a 31-21 edge on the boards. Senior A. J. Dalton led Carrollton with six. Senior Jake Gonci led West Branch with five.
West Branch was led in scoring by Mike Smith and Rockwell with 11 points each.
In the jayvee game, Andrew Collins canned a three-pointer with less than 30-seconds left to give Carrollton a 43-40 victory.
Collins led Carrollton with 14 points and Mirko Dobrijevic followed with nine points.
Carrollton led 13-10 after one, 22-13 at halftime and 29-22 after three quarters of play.
Troy James led West Branch with 13 points and Drake Lohnes added 10.
The Warriors were to host Minerva Tuesday, travel to Northwest Friday and Cambridge Saturday night.
Carrollton 55, West Branch 38
CARROLLTON: Johnny Lowdermilk 3 0-0 6, Tyler Sheets 0 1-2 1, Kristian Cross 4 0-2 8, Luke Starre 6 1-1 14, Robbie Smith 3 3-3 10, Chris Erickson 4 0-0 10, Stephen Erickson 2 2-2 6. Totals 22 7-10 55.
WEST BRANCH: Luke Butcher 1 1-2 3, Jake Gonci 2 2-2 6, Mike Smith 4 0-0 11, Tylor Rockwell 4 3-4 11, Brandon Ferguson 2 0-1 4, Troy James 1 0-0 2, Scott Muckleroy 0 1-2 1. Totals 14 7-11 38.
CARROLLTON: 19 9 15 12 - 55
WEST BRANCH: 13 5 13 7 - 38
Three-point goals - Robbie Smith 3, Chris Erickson 2, Luke Starre, Mike Smith. Fouls - Carrollton 12-8. Fouled out - none. Rebounds - Carrollton 31, West Branch 21. Reserve game: Carrollton 43, West Branch 40. Records: Carrollton 8-5, 6-4; West Branch 4-9. |
