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12-20-2007 By ERIC AHLQVIST Editor But in the end, Brad Ashford's 21 points off the bench, including what proved to be the game-winning lay-up with a minute left, carried the undefeated Cooperstown boys basketball team to a 51-49 victory over Sauquoit Tuesday night at Bursey gymnasium. "In the third quarter I told them I think we have as many turnovers as points," said Cooperstown boys basketball coach Dave Bertram. "We've been averaging 19 turnoversa- game and still winning. Imagine how good we would be if we chopped that number in half." With the victory, the Redskins improved to 8-0 on the season, while Sauquoit fell to 4-3 overall. "I was pleased with our effort," said Sauquoit head coach David Katz, whose team played without its leading scorer, Cory Gibson, who averages over 20 points-a-game. "I told them before the game that without Cory we need to come out with energy and intensity, and I thought we did that." The Indians hit six of their first seven shots to take a 12-6 lead, but CCS junior center Eric Jederlinic scored seven first quarter points, including a three-point play near the end of the quarter to tie the score at 15-15. Ashford scored eight of his points in the second quarter as the Redskins built a 29-25 halftime lead, which grew to five, 41-36 after three quarters. Right before the end of the third period, however, Jederlinic picked up his fourth foul and had to sit out. "I thought with him out we had an advantage inside and that helped us get back in the game," Katz said. Sauquoit center Todd Livingston scored the first six points of the fourth quarter as the Indians went ahead 42-41. Cooperstown's Luke Tirrell scored on consecutive possessions to give his team a 45-44 lead with 3:10 remaining. With two minutes remaining, Ashford hit his fourth three-point shot of the game for a 49-44 Cooperstown lead, but again Sauquoit came back. Brian Gaskell hit a threepointer, and after a Cooperstown turnover, Livingston hit a pair of free throws to tie the score at 49. On Cooperstown's next possession, Quinn Snyder hit a cutting Ashford for an easy basket for a 51-49 lead with a minute left. Sauquoit then missed two free throws, but forced two turnovers, and Livingston missed two blank shots, which would have tied the score. With five seconds remaining, Cooperstown, which went 3-12 from the free throw line, missed the front end of a oneand- one foul shot, but Sauquoit (what else) turned the ball over while going for a final shot. "We had our chances," Katz said. "That's all you can hope for when you're playing on the road against a good team without your leading scorer." Bertram said despite the turnovers, he was pleased with his team's effort. "The hustle and the intensity are there," he said. "We just have to take better care of the basketball." On Friday night, Jederlinic had 21 points and 13 rebounds in a 58-43 home victory over Canastota. The Redskins led throughout, and got 11 points and 12 rebounds from Snyder, and 12 points from Ryan Davine. Cooperstown plays at Sherburne tonight (Thursday) and then is off until hosting their annual Holiday Tournament Dec. 26 and 27. |
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