Herald Staff reports
Wrestlers from all over the region walked away winners Saturday at Grove City High’s 27th annual Fred Bell Memorial Tournament, but the 2 all-Mercer County finals at 152 and 160 pounds were worth the price of admission.
The championship bout at 160 pitted GC’s Wes Phipps versus Hickory’s Tyler Gargano — two of Pennsylvania’s top wrestlers in the weight class at No. 3 and 9, respectively.
Phipps took an early 2-1 lead, but Gargano pulled ahead toward the end of the opening period with a 5-2 edge.
Neither scored a point in the 2nd period, but as Phipps tried to take control early in the 3rd, Gargano was forced off the mat and appeared shaken up, favoring his right ankle. After the tilt resumed, Phipps tried to take Gargano down by gaining control of his right thigh, but Gargano out-muscled his adversary for 2 points on the takedown and a 7-2 lead.
Later in the match when it looked like Gargano had momentum over Phipps, the state finalist from last year turned the tides for another 2 points on a takedown.
Gargano increased his lead 8-6 with 39 seconds remaining and scored the upset win by a final tally of 12-8.
In the match at 152 pounds, Mercer’s Kyle Mariacher kept pace with Commodore Perry’s Brandon Collins as both wrestlers looked to take control in the 1st period.
Collins had Mariacher on his stomach most of the 2nd period, but Mariacher notched a takedown with just seconds remaining to take the 2-0 lead.
Collins added a point early in the 3rd period, but Mariacher manufactured a 2-1 decision in the final seconds.
At 112 pounds, CP’s Nate Dias took Gen. McLane’s Tim Wheeling down early for the takedown and the 2-0 edge. With 1:40 left in the 2nd period, Dias almost had Wheeling pinned, but the Lancer escaped. Dias took the match and the title with a 13-0 decision.
At 189 pounds, CP’s Stephen Ceremuga handily battled past Northwestern’s Jared Merritt for the 11-4 decision and title, while fellow Panther Brian Hooks dominated Holley’s Sean Baker in a 13-0 decision at 215.
Other titlists were Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy’s Nathan Tomasello (103) and Brandon Sommers (145); Erie Catherdral Prep’s John Agnello (119) and Tyler Parsons (140); Holley’s Quinton Murphy (125); McDowell’s Steve Spearman (130); Redbank Valley’s Trevor McCauley (135) and Alex Utley (171); and McLane’s Caleb Baker (275). — By Patrick Connelly, Allied News sports editor.
Sharon Duals
Coach Dave Ciafre’s Sharon High squad went a perfect 5-0 on Saturday at Tiger Gymnasium and Jordan Moss became Sharon’s all-time winningest wrestler.
Sharon beat Valley (62-16), Fox Chapel (38-21), Elizabeth Forward (46-22), Shaler (76-6) and Belle Vernon (53-24).
Moss went 5-0 with 3 falls at 145 pounds. He now has 151 career wins, surpassing Kellen Harris (147).
Lewendo Teague was 5-0 at 171 with 2 pins and a technical fall.
Jarray Norris (112), Michael Bonner (119), Tyler Zoccole (135), Marc Martell (189), Justin Yuran (215) and Geoff Wilson (285) all went 4-1. Martell had 3 falls while Wilson pinned 2 opponents.
Cody Buchanan (103), Matt Kelley (125), Xavier Ross (130), Cody Cameron (140) and Jason Ondic (160) posted 3-2 ledgers. Buchanan and Cameron had 3 falls each while Ondic recorded 3 major decision victories.
Also, Carl Tucker went 2-3 at 152 pounds.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
ä Lakeview 35, Reynolds 34 — At Stoneboro, the Lady Sailors (1-7, 1-15) picked up their first win of the season thanks to 2 clutch free throws in the game’s final minute by senior Laura Sturgin.
Lakeview led after the opening frame 10-8, but the Lady Raiders (1-7, 4-11) held the Lady Sailors to just 4 second-quarter points to take the 18-14 halftime edge.
The Lady Raiders then rallied for an 8-point lead early in the 3rd quarter, but back-to-back buckets from Fawn Miller cut the deficit to 4 with 3:30 left.
Later in the quarter, the Lady Sailors tied the game at 24 on a steal by Cassandra Legal and basket by Jazmyne Sasse. Lakeview then took its first lead since late in the 2nd quarter on a field goal by Miller.
Reynolds knotted the game again, this time at 30-30, with 3 minutes left to play in the 4th quarter on a basket by Emily Moroco, but the two successful free throws from Sturgin and another from Miller shut the door on the Lady Raiders.
“We fought back,” Lakeview head coach Steve Aden said. “I was glad that they were able to (finally) sustain a lead and we did it tonight.”
Miller led Lakeview with 18 points. Double-digit scorers for Reynolds included Kristen McDonald with 10 and Emily Moroco who finished with 13 — 8 of which came in the 4th. — By Patrick Connelly, Allied News sports editor.
ä Farrell 45, Beaver Falls 39 — At Farrell, D’Asia Chambers rifled in 20 points as the Lady Steelers (10-3) defeated Beaver Falls.
Also for Farrell, Marissa Carry bucketed 16.
Minerd led the way for the Lady Tigers with 12 points.
ä Wilmington 51, West Middlesex 35 — At New Wilmington, Ashley Gardner scored 16 points as the Lady ’Hounds (4-3, 9-6) topped WM (3-5, 6-10) in a Region 2-AA encounter.
Also for Wilmington, Julie Burns bucketed a dozen and Stephanie Kish added 11 markers.
For the Ms. Reds, Maddie Williams scored 14.
ä Campbell Memorial 44, Brookfield 35 — At Campbell, the Lady Warriors (1-5, 5-11) were held scoreless in the 1st quarter en route to the All-American Conference Blue Tier Division setback.
Jayaira Grhim rifled in 23 points for Campbell while Tashira Uceta added 10 markers.
Paige Wallace recorded a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead Brookfield. Also, Ashley Swezey bucketed 11 and grabbed 8 boards.
BOYS BASKETBALL
ä Strong Vincent 73, George Junior Republic 62 — At Gannon University’s Hammermill Center in Erie, the Tigers (0-3, 7-9) held a slim 30-28 lead at halftime but were outscored 45-32 in the 2nd half of the Region 7-AAAA battle.
Robert Tomoney led GJR with 16 points. Also, Marquise Lawrence bucketed 12 and Delacruz and Lee Bullock had 11 each.
Courtney Harden-Pullium fired in 22 to pace Strong Vincent while Ashton Pullium-Jones registered 21.
ä Cochranton 53, Commodore Perry 41 — At Cochranton, the Cardinals (4-12) earned the non-region win over the winless Panthers (0-16).
Culbertson (15), J. Oertly (11) and Fulmer (10) scored in double digits for the Cards.
Billy Cattron led the way for CP with 15 points.
ä Mercer 61, Cambridge Springs 60 — At Mercer, the Mustangs (4-11) won a thriller in a non-region clash.
Justin Glass led the way for Mercer with 15 points. Also scoring in double digits for the Mustangs was Andrew Erdos (12), Rawlins Huntley (11) and Josh Verigood (10) and Damian Burns (10).
S. Kargol scored a game-high 16 for the Blue Devils.
CORRECTION
Hickory’s Matt Durisko had 16 points in Friday’s overtime loss at Farrell. Nick DiBartolomeo had 12 and Garret Trosch bucketed 10.
Durisko is only 33 points away from 1,000.
WRESTLING
27th Annual Fred Bell Tourney
Team standings — 1. Cathedral Prep 2. Commodore Perry 3. McDowell 4. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 5. Mercer 6. Redbank Valley 7. General McLane 8. Hickory 9. Clarion 10. Warren.
Individual Results
Championship Finals
103 — Nathan Tomasello (Cuyahoga Valley) d. Paul Deitz (McDowll).
112 — Nate Dias (Commodore Perry) d. Tim Wheeling (Gen. McLane).
119 — John Agnello (Erie Cathedral Prep) d. Trevor Graham (Franklin).
125 — Quinton Murphy (Holley) d. Derek Brothers (Curwensville).
130 — Steve Spearman (McDowell) d. Mike McBryde (Erie Cathedral Prep).
135 — Trevor McCauley (Redbank Valley) d. Dylan Reinsel (Clarion).
140 — Tyler Parsons (Erie Cathedral Prep) d. Jake Rendulic (Conneaut Lake).
145 — Brandon Sommers (Cuyahoga Valley) d. Khlique Harris (McDowell).
152 — Kyle Mariacher (Mercer) d. Brandon Collins (Commodore Perry).
160 — Tyler Gargano (Hickory) d. Wes Phipps (Grove City).
171 — Alex Utley (Redbank Valley) d. Jermaine Easter (Erie Cathedral Prep).
189 — Stephen Ceremuga (Commodore Perry) d. Jared Merritt (Northwestern).
215 — Brian Hooks (Commodore Perry) d. Sean Baylor (Holley).
285 — Caleb Baker (Gen. McLane) d. Kacee Sauer (Holley).
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3rd Place
103 — Jonas Reaugh (Jamestown).
112 — Nick Gibson (McDowell).
119 — Jake Kellar (Curwensville).
125 — Matt Bryer (Cochranton).
130 — Tyler McCauley (Redbank Valley).
135 — Zak Vargo (Cuyahoga Valley).
140 — Ian Chiesa (Northwestern).
145 — Mikel Boughner (Cochranton).
152 — Dave Heynoski (Cathedral Prep).
160 — Matt Meadows (Cuyahoga Valley).
171 — Dennis Diodati (Conneaut Lake).
189 — Tyler Lewis (Lakeview).
215 — Mike Wessinger (McDowell).
285 — Ryan Benson (West Middlesex).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REYNOLDS 8 10 8 8 34
LAKEVIEW 10 4 10 11 35
REYNOLDS — Moroco 6-1-4-13, Siege 1-2-2-5, McDonald 5-0-0-10, Stegkamper 1-0-0-2, Parker 1-0-0-2, Schaff 0-0-0-0, Baker 0-0-0-0, Yahner 1-0-0-2. 3-point goal: Siege 1. Totals: 15-3-6-34.
LAKEVIEW — Sasse 2-0-0-4, Legal 2-0-2-4, K. Stringer 2-0-0-5, Sturgin 1-2-3-4, Miller 8-1-1-18, C. Stringer 0-0-0-0, King 0-0-0-0. 3-point goals: K. Stringer 1, Miller 1. Totals: 15-3-6-35.
JV: No game.
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BEAVER FALLS 11 10 11 7 39
FARRELL 4 8 12 21 45
BEAVER FALLS — Ward 1-0-0-2, Medarac 1-0-0-2, S. Vaughn 3-0-0-6, Slappy 1-2-2-4, Minerd 5-0-0-12, A. Vaughn 1-6-10-8, Lake 0-5-8-5. 3-pt. goals: Minerd 2. Totals: 10-2-13-20-39.
FARRELL — Scott 2-0-0-4, Carry 4-8-8-16, Archie 1-2-3-4, Williams 0-1-4-1, Chambers 8-4-9-20. Totals: 15-15-24-45.
JV: Beaver Falls, 42-38. Jalisa Archie 12 for Farrell.
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W. MIDDLESEX 10 9 6 10 35
WILMINGTON 12 18 7 14 51
WEST MIDDLESEX — Bittler 1-0-0-2, C. Stitt 1-0-2-2, Williams 6-0-1-14, Shacklock 1-0-2-2, Novosel 1-1-2-3, M. Stitt 3-3-7-9, Murray 1-1-5-3. 3-pt. goals: Williams 2. Totals: 14-5-19-35.
WILMINGTON — M. Burns 1-4-4-6, Kish 3-5-8-11, Gardner 6-4-7-16, Gealy 0-0-0-0, Hiers 0-2-6-2, J. Burns 6-0-0-12, Foltz 0-4-4-4, Christofferson 0-0-0-0, Slonaker 0-0-0-0. Totals: 16-19-29-51.
JV: No game.
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BROOKFIELD 0 9 12 14 35
CAMPBELL MEM. 9 17 11 7 44
BROOKFIELD — Wallace 6-4-5-16, Pearson 0-0-0-0, Swezey 4-1-4-11, Snow 2-0-0-4, Necastro 0-0-0-0, Hopf 0-0-0-0, Boyer 2-0-2-4. 3-pt. goals: Swezey 2. Totals: 14-5-11-35.
CAMPBELL MEMORIAL — Uceta 3-4-7-10, Moses 2-1-2-5, Graves 0-3-8-3, Ellington 1-1-3-3, Grhim 9-4-6-23. 3-pt. goal: Grhim 1. Totals: 15-13-26-44.
JV: Brookfield, 31-21.
BOYS BASKETBALL
GEORGE JUNIOR 16 14 14 18 62
STRONG VINCENT 13 15 22 23 73
GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC — Harper 0-1-2-1, Bumpess 3-0-1-6, Delacruz 4-2-2-11, Johnson 2-1-2-5, Tomoney 8-0-0-16, Bullock 5-0-0-11, Lawrence 3-6-10-12. 3-pt. goals: Delacruz 1, Bullock 1. Totals: 25-10-17-62.
STRONG VINCENT — Pullium-Jones 8-2-5-21, Harden-Pullium 5-11-16-22, Henderson 2-0-0-4, Benjamin 6-2-4-14, Ratliff 2-0-2-4, Eimers 3-2-2-8. 3-pt. goals: Pullium-Jones 3, Harden-Pullium 1. Totals: 26-17-29-73.
JV: GJR, 60-54. Shamir Harper 18, Marlon Richardson 13 for GJR.
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COMM. PERRY 9 15 11 6 41
COCHRANTON 12 14 18 9 53
COMMODORE PERRY — Simons 1-1-2-3, Whiteside 1-0-0-2, Vaughn 2-4-4-8, Huffman 2-1-5-5, Cattron 4-7-10-15, Snyder 1-0-0-2, Robinson 2-2-2-6. Totals: 13-15-24-41.
COCHRANTON — Culbertson 6-2-2-15, Fulmer 3-2-4-10, E. Oertly 2-0-0-6, Shetler 0-0-0-0, Vanderhoof 0-0-0-0, Peterson 2-1-3-5, Rynd 1-4-4-6, J. Oertly 5-1-3-11, Woodworth 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Fulmer 2, E. Oertly 2, Culbertson 1. Totals: 19-10-16-53.
JV: CP, 46-40.
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CAMB. SPRINGS 11 11 15 23 60
MERCER 16 9 21 15 61
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Kargol 7-1-4-16, Kondzielski 3-0-2-8, Louis 4-1-1-11, Einink 5-1-1-11, Van Winkle 2-3-5-7, Shearer 3-0-0-7. 3-pt. goals: Kondzielski 2, Louis 2, Kargol 1, Shearer 1. Totals: 23-6-13-60.
MERCER — Verigood 5-0-1-10, Erdos 6-0-2-12, Huntley 4-2-3-11, McElrath 1-1-2-3, Glass 5-3-11-15, Burns 3-3-6-10. 3-pt. goals: Glass 2, Huntley 1, Burns 1. Totals: 24-10-22-61.
JV: Mercer, 44-32. Austin McElrath 16 for Mercer.
