Saegertown 50 Cambridge Springs 32

These rival teams met last in a double overtime win by Cambridge at home. I of course had to travel out to Saegertown tonight to this exciting backyard rival rematch. The 18 point spread does not do this game justice as it was a much closer game than the final score would indicate.

Those crazy Saegertown student body fans were again out in full force. I do believe they seem to be growing in numbers as the season progresses. It is amazing the things you can see at a basketball game.

Saegertown went with their regular crew, Wetsell, Z. Beatty, Campbell, K. Beatty and Mondi to start. Cambridge however started a very young team with junior, Spaid; two sophomores - Dunton and Kargol and two freshmen - Kondzielski and Lewis. I found Cambridge's starting line up interesting.

Saegertown's #3 Ben Wetsell was honored prior to the start of tonights game by his teamates(the all important assist men) as they presented him a plaque for scoring his 1,000th point on Dec. 28th. Congratulations Ben!

The opening tip went to the home town Panthers who missed a long outside shot which was rebounded by the Devils. The Devils turned the ball over on their first possession, leaving Saegertown to strike first on a fast break. The Panthers then committed three back to back fouls on the floor. Cambridge turned the ball over again which was finished off by an attempted dunk from the Panthers #4 Beatty. The Devils added their own points from a drive by #10 Young. Saegertown added their next points from the line as the Devils #24 Sinclair picked up his first foul. Cambridge committed another turnover on their next possession, however Saegertown was called with another foul on the floor and then turned the ball over with 3:50 remaining in the opening quarter. The Devils called time with 3:27 left to play, score 9-6. Cambridge would manage to turn the ball over 4 more times and add another foul before the quarter would come to an end. Saegertown held the ball with for over a minute for the last shot, but turned it over and committed a foul with 5.8 seconds remaining. Cambridge was lucky considering all their turnovers off of bad passes that typically Saegertown converts to points on the break to still be within four with the score 12-8 to end the first.

Cambridge started the 2nd quarter with a three from Young. Saegertown answered quickly with 2 of their own in the paint. Cambridge managed to turn the ball over again. The Devils called time at the 5:09 mark, score 19-15. Cambridge played a nice diamond and one defense (at least that is what Big told me it was called) and shut down the inside play of Saegertown, however Saegertown has several guys who can shoot the long ball too. Cambridge only turned the ball over twice in the second quarter which Saegertown managed to convert into 2 points. The half ended with Saegertown being up by one, 25 -24. This had the makings of another nail bitter.

The 3rd quarter saw Cambridge in possession. They turned the ball over at the 7 minute mark which #22 Beatty converted to 2 points off the break. The Panthers outscored the Devils by 7 points in the 3rd quarter. This period saw very little action as just over the 3 minute mark with a 34 - 26 lead Seagertown decided to hold the ball for the last shot???? After holding the ball over 2 minutes they passed it around the perimeter until they took a shot and missed with 20 seconds left. Cambridge's #15 Lewis came up with the board. Score at the end of three 34-26.

Cambridge turned the ball over on their first two possessions of the 4th quarter. The Panthers and Devils both had their share of turnovers and fouls in the final frame. The Devils never recovered from their 3rd quarter deficit and the Panthers went on to win this one 50 - 32.

Saegertown's #22 Z. Beatty was on tonight. He led their scoring with 17 points. He was able to hit a couple three pointers when their was nothing open inside. #3 Wetsell added 10 and #1 Amy added 8 more. #4 K. Beatty also added some nice clean blocks in the paint tonight.

Senior #10 Young led the Devils tonight with 15 points. He took the ball to the hoop tonight as did senior#23 Green who added 7. #22 Spaid also added 4 and several nice rebounds. Freshman #15 Lewis continues to add a spark to the team when he is on the court.

This wasn't the backyard rival rematch I had anticipated, but Saegertown has a nice looking team and Cambridge has a good team to build on.

Big was there with the camera, be sure to check out the Saegertown Super Fans! Pictures here:

http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/SaegCamb.htm

Next big rematch, Meadville and McLane at Meadville, February 4th. See you there!