Bobcat Weekly
Updates
Bobcat Weekly
Updates
The Bobcats participated in the Wingate Inn Tip-Off Classic at Messiah College (Grantham, Pa.) on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18. The Bobcats dropped their first game but came back in the consolation game to take third place in the tournament.
Despite a 20-point, 11 rebound and four assist effort from freshman guard Ann Sral (Bishop Guilfoyle H.S.), the Bobcats dropped their opening contest to the eventual tournament champion and nationally ranked, Messiah Falcons, 71-56. Messiah returns four starters from a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the Bobcats gave them all they could handle. Sophomore forward Erin Arnold (Kiski Area H.S.) also added 14 points and six rebounds. The Bobcats shot 46 percent from the field on 22 of 48 shooting in the game. The Bobcats also connected on 11 of 19 free-throw attempts, good for 58 percent.
In their second game, the Bobcats’ rebounded to defeat the Eastern Mennonite Royals, 82-71 to claim third place in the tournament. Led by Arnold’s 21 points, four Bobcats scored in double figures. Freshmen forwards Cassie Ross (Albert Gallatin H.S.) and Nicole Kushner (Canon McMilla H.S.) recorded 16 points and 13 points, respectively. Freshman guard Torey Auld (Seneca Valley H.S.) chipped in with 10 points in the victory. The Bobcats shot a solid 54 percent from the field on 34 of 63 shooting.
Arnold had a strong rebounding game, bringing down 10 rebounds while freshman guard Krystal Shirk (Thomas Jefferson H.S.) played a solid floor game, leading the Bobcats with seven assists and three steals. Sral recorded eight rebounds to go with her eight points in the victory and was named to the All-Tournament team.
The Bobcats home opener is Tuesday, Nov. 21 against Carlow at 6pm.
The Men’s Basketball Team was also active in a weekend tournament as they traveled to Winchester, Va. for the Shenandoah Tournament. The Bobcats opened the tourney against Newport News The Apprentice School. In the game, senior guard Josh Sapotichne (Greensburg Salem H.S.) hit two early three-pointers to give the Bobcats a 6-2 lead. But things slipped away from there as the Bobcats quickly fell behind and trailed 49-28 at halftime.
The second half was very similar to the first half as the Bobcats again started off strong, scoring the first 12 points of the half. UPG was able to cut the lead to as low as 9 points with seven minutes remaining before Apprentice again took control and cruised to a 94-67 victory. Despite the loss, the Bobcats had solid individual performances from Sapotichne and fellow senior Rick Leahew (Keystone Oaks H.S.). Sapotichne scored 26 points on 9 of 18 shooting, including 6 of 14 from behind the three-point line. Leahew added 16 points and a team high five rebounds in the loss. Junior guard Jeff Fisher (Bethel Park H.S.) played a solid floor game, dishing out seven assists. For the game, the Bobcats shot just under 42 percent from the field, on 25 of 60 shooting. The Bobcats were 12 of 36 from three-point territory and 5 of 10 from the free-throw line.
The tournament was not over for the Bobcats as they were scheduled to face Christendom College in their second tournament game. Sapotichne again lead the team in scoring, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists to go with his 17 points while sophomore forward Anthony DeCosmo (Thomas Jefferson H.S.) scored 12 points and hauled down six boards for the Bobcats. But strong individual efforts were not enough as the Bobcats dropped the game, 74-68.
For the Bobcats, Fisher added 12 points in the loss while Leahew scored 10 and dished out three assists. UPG lead by 5 points with under four minutes to go in the contest but some untimely turnovers and shots that would not fall spelled doom for the Bobcats.
For the game, the Bobcats again shot just under 42 percent from the field. UPG did knock down 6 of their 16 three-point attempts, good for 37 percent.
The Bobcats home opener is Tuesday, Nov. 21 against Juniata at 8pm.