Hornet bench big in win over Warrior Run

By: Ed Weaver  /  February 20, 2016

The Wellsboro Boys Basketball team got 17 points from its bench to beat Warrior Run 49-39 in the first round of District IV playoffs on Friday, February 19.

Warrior Run started hot right from the start and got the Hornets down 8-0 early in the first quarter, but two huge three-pointers from sophomore Nic Ingerick, and a combined 9 of 14 points from the bench gave Wellsboro a 14-13 lead after the first quarter and the Hornets never looked back.

"I was a little nervous there for a while when they got up 8-0," said head coach Todd Outman. "We missed a ton of chip shots and went 0-for-5 from the foul line and I thought this is going to be a struggle."

Wellsboro increased their lead in the second quarter, but the No. 7 seed Defenders kept the score close as the No 2. seed Hornets led 25-20 at halftime. Both teams were even in the third quarter with 11 points, then Wellsboro put the game away in the fourth behind 7 points from sophomore Quinn Henry.

"We played much better in the second half and we played really good defense," continued Outman. "Warrior Run is a very physical team and the officials let the kids play much more than we're used to in league play, but the kids answered the bell and got the job done."

Henry led Wellsboro with 12 points and Ingerick finished right behind him with 10. Junior Jacob Singer and sophomore Dalton Prough each scored 9 points, sophomore Collin Pietropola finished with 5 points, and junior Brandon Lamphier and senior Dawson Prough each scored 2 points.

Pietropola grabbed 9 rebounds (6 offensive), Dalton Prough had 5 assists, and Lamphier had 6 rebounds.

Next up for the Hornets is Central Columbia, who rallied to beat Wyalusing 48-46, in the semi-finals at a date and location to be determined.

"It feels great to advance and besides Brandon and Dawson none of the kids have been in this setting," continued Outman. "To get this one under our belt and move on to the next round gives our kids more experience, get the nerves out of our system, and hopefully good things will happen."