Tyrone defeats Clearfield 47-42, takes control of Mountain League

By Ryan Stringer, staff writer 12|February 3, 2015

The Tyrone Golden Eagles boys’ basketball team played a crucial game versus the Mountain League leading Clearfield Bison on Friday, January 30.  According to Head Coach Geroge Gripp, the Eagles have had this game circled on their schedule for over a month.

The Bison and Eagles last met on December 19th in Clearfield when the Bison handed Tyrone their first of only two losses of the season, a 79-61 loss full of controversial officiating.

But on Friday, the Eagles got their revenge.  Playing their hearts out and beating the Bison 47-42 in game filled with electrifying defense and outstanding play calls.

The Eagles went into halftime down by four, but things started going the Eagles way after the break.

Senior forward Blake Brooks started the rally by hitting two free throws, a short jumper and a fast break  layup to give Tyrone a 27-25 lead early in the in 3rd quarter.

“Defense is like the motor of a car for our team it keeps us running,” said Tristan Lingafelt.

Tyrone was led in scoring by big man Anthony Politza. Politza hit six down low layups and went 1-2 at the foul line for 13 points total. He also played great defense down low.  He and the rest of the Eagles squad limited the Bison to six scores from inside the three point line.

“Our defense in the second half really shifted the momentum of the game,” said Politza,”Our run in the third quarter led by Blake [Brooks] was also very crucial.”

The game was intense throughout, both on and off the court. Tyrone Coach George Gripp received a technical foul early in the first half for arguing calls and was forced to sit the rest of the game. That didn’t stop him from coaching another win in the Mountain League.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that these kids pretty much control their destiny in the Mountain League,” said Gripp.

The Eagles now have full control of the Mountain League with a record of 15-2 overall and a 10-1 in the league.

The Eagles are on a four game win streak and look to improve to five after their game against Bellefonte on Tuesday February 3rd at home, Tip-off is at 7:00pm.

BOX SCORE

CLEARFIELD (42): Sellers 2 1-2 5, Spaid 1 1-2 3, Myers 4 9-13 21, Hazel 3 0-1 7, McKenzie 0 0-0 0, Strouse 0 0-0 0, Brown 2 0-0 6. Totals – 12 11-18 42.

TYRONE (47): Brooks 2 3-4 7, Geis 0 0-1 0, N. Soellner 4 0-1 10, Lingafelt 3 4-7 11, Politza 6 1-2 13, Preston Mitchell 3 0-2 6, Parker Mitchell 0 0-0 0. Totals – 18 8-17 47.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Clearfield: 10 15 17 10 – 42

Tyrone: 5 16 16 10 – 47

3-point goals: Clearfield 7 (Myers 4, Brown 2, Hazel); Tyrone 4 (N. Soellner 2, Lingafelt, Politza).

Records: Clearfield (16-2 overall, 9-2 in the Mountain League); Tyrone (15-2 overall, 10-1 in the Mountain League).