AC-S Downs Westmoreland in Slowdown Game
Senior Patriot Chase Ross (1) drives up the court and by a Westmoreland defender last week. The Patriots downed the Eagles at Westmoreland 43-31. (Photo by Don Meador)
By Don Meador,
Sports Writer
The Allen County-Scottsville Patriots snapped a three-game losing skid with a 43-31 win Tuesday, Jan.7, at Westmoreland. The Patriots prevailed despite a “strange” slowdown tactic employed by Eagle Coach Cheri Abner.
AC-S struggled against an attacking Westmoreland team in the first eight minutes. The Eagles looked to use their inside size advantage by punching the ball into the paint. As a result, Westmoreland opened a 14-9 lead with several of their seven buckets coming inside. However, adjustments by the AC-S coaching staff turned things around in the second eight minutes.
Senior Robert Robledo (14) brings the ball up the court in action at Westmoreland. Robledo averages approximately 10 points a game for AC-S. (Photo by Don Meador)
Defensively, Westmoreland was held to five points. Offensively, AC-S found their touch making five of 10 shots in the frame. Two-point buckets from Jackson Morris and Robert Robledo, plus three-pointers from Tyler Turner, Kyler Pedigo, and Robledo led to a 14-5 AC-S run in the period. The Patriots owned a 23-19 lead at intermission.
Then, the game took a surprising turn. Westmoreland’s offense went into slowdown mode–after baskets from Morris and Pedigo lifted the Patriots to an eight-point lead less than two minutes into the quarter. Perhaps the strategy involved the Eagle coach working on ball control and patience against a zone defense or maybe unsure of how to attack. For whatever reason, Westmoreland would miss each of their four shots. Their only point would be a free throw at the 2:10 mark. Meanwhile, AC-S patiently waited. Pedigo would add a couple of breakout baskets to enable AC-0S to outscore Westmoreland 9-1 in the frame and take a 32-20 lead to the final period.
Junior Tyler Turner (21) plots his next move against Westmoreland. Turner scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds in the Patriots win over the Eagles last week. (Photo by Don Meador)
The Patriots gradually extended their lead. Free throws by Tyler Turner and Pedigo and a basket by De’Ante Grainger lifted the visitors to their biggest lead of the game–16 points with 3:59 left. Westmoreland closed to within seven before AC-S sealed the win with Pedigo free throws in the final minute.
AC-S (5-8) went 14-34 from the floor and 10 of 20 at the foul line. Westmoreland (7-5) was 13-41 from the floor and two of six at the line. The Patriots owned the glass 29-26.
Pedigo led all scorers with 21 points while grabbing 12 rebounds–his first career double double. Turner added nine points, had six rebounds and recorded three steals.
The Patriots are scheduled to face the Warren East Raiders (8-6) on Thursday–a change from Friday night due to expected winter-weather on Friday.
Senior AC-S big man Jackson Morris (24) applies the pressure as a Westmoreland player attacks the rim. Meanwhile, senior teammate Robert Robledo (14) blocks the shot. Morris and Robledo combined for nine points in the Patriots’ 43-31 win. (Photo by Don Meador)
