Tyrone debuted a fast-paced style of play under new head coach Lucas Rhoades that proved to be effective in taking down the Penns Valley Rams last night in the season opener for both teams.
Tyrone junior Andrew Escala put up a game-high 23 points, while fellow junior Kendall Lehner was close behind with 19. Sam Crilly also added 12 points in the 75-55 road win.
Penns Valley’s leading scorer, Spencer Althouse, added 15 points, while senior Jackson Romig and Junior Carson Webster tallied 12 and 11 points of their own.
Tyrone started the game hot, with Sam Crilly drilling two threes and Kendall Lehner adding a couple of put-back layups, but Penns Valley responded with some shots of their own, keeping the game close.
Tyrone held a 37-30 lead going into halftime.
“We played a solid first half, but we knew that we had to come out and finish it off,” said senior forward Brady Ronan.
In the third quarter, the Rams fought back and took their first lead of the night with a couple of key Jackson Romig shots.
However, the Ram’s lead didn’t last very long, as the Golden Eagles began to break down the Penns Valley zone defense and went on a run, taking a 10-point lead.
“I think that this game showed that we can fight through adversity which is a skill that will be useful throughout the season,” said new Tyrone assistant coach Joe Laukaitis.
Toward the end of the game, one of Penn Valley’s best players, Fletcher Ironside fouled out and that took a toll on the Ram’s defense.
With only half of the fourth quarter remaining the Golden Eagles went on a tear, building a 20-point lead by the final buzzer.
Although the Eagles had a solid game, it didn’t come without mistakes. Some wild passes and turnovers kept Penns Valley in the game. As the season goes on and the Golden Eagles mature they will clean up these mistakes and hopefully become a championship-caliber team.
Tyrone also won the JV game 58-38, with Tyrone’s Damon Brueggert leading all scorers with 18 points.
Tyrone’s next game will be away on Friday at Bishop Carroll High School. Tyrone will go into the game with a 1-0 record, while Bishop Carroll lost their first game against Westmont Hilltop and is 0-1.
BOX SCORE
TYRONE (72): S. Crilly 3 4-4 12, A. Escala 7 8-8 23, A. Walk 1 1-2 3, K. Lehner 7 5-9 19, D. Crowell 2 0-0 4, B.Ronan 2 0-0 4, E. Woomer 2 2-2 7, M. Emigh 0 0-0 0, O.Oakes 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 20-25 72.
PENNS VALLEY (55): F. Ironside 0 3-8 3, C. Ironside 2 0-0 6, Webster 4 0-0 11, Romig 4 3-4 12, Most 1 0-0 2, Althouse 6 2-4 15, Patel 2 1-1 7. Totals: 19 9-19 55.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Tyrone 23 14 15 20 — 72
Penns Valley 12 18 15 10 — 55
3-point goals: Tyrone 3 (Crilly, Escala, Woomer); Penns Valley 8 (Webster 3, C. Ironside 2, Romig, Althouse, Patel).
Records: Tyrone (1-0); Penns Valley (0-1).
JV: Tyrone won 53-38. High scorers – Damon Brueggert, T, 18; Fetterolf, Most, Shovey, PV, 8.
