The Herald, Sharon, Pa: Winter sports '97-'98

Published Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998

DISTRICT 10 AAA PLAYOFFS
Tigers 50, Warriors 49
Tigers win in OT
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Sharon pulls out victory at the buzzer
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Roberson hoop sets up another >Franklin meeting
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer

EDINBORO _ Oftentimes luck is an integral ingredient to a team's advancement through each level of the playoffs. Sharon coach Gary Revale hopes his Tigers didn't use their quota Tuesday night.

Bobby Roberson connected on a layup at the buzzer to give Sharon an exciting 50-49 overtime victory over Erie East in the District 10 Class AAA semifinals at General McLane High School.

After John Woodward gave East (19-7) a 49-48 lead with five seconds left by making the second of two foul shots, Sharon (20-5) got the ball into Marty Barnett's hands on the inbounds play. Barnett drove the length of the floor, past a pair of Warrior defenders and found Roberson wide open under the basket. Roberson connected as the buzzer sounded.

``Maybe you need one of these kind of (games) in the tournament,'' Revale said. ``You need a little bit of luck. Tonight was our luck so we can't count on luck anymore.''

The Tigers will play Franklin, a 77-44 victory over Harbor Creek Tuesday, in the District 10 Finals at a site and time to be determined. The victory also ensured Sharon a berth in the state playoffs.

The game with Franklin will be the third between Sharon and the Knights this year. Sharon owns 51-45 and 62-51 victories over the Knights.

``It's the third one, but this one is for the District 10 championship,'' Revale said. ``That was one of the goals when we got in the playoffs. We qualified for states tonight. This is a 20-win season for us and we're going to the District 10 championship game with that finish. I mean, unbelievable.''

Only a year ago, the Tigers finished 7-17.

East will play Harbor Creek in the D-10 consolation game and must win to continue on in the playoffs.

``They're extremely disappointed,'' East coach Bill Gausman said of his team. ``It's tough to accept a loss like that when you have it in the palm of your hand. But you have to, you have no choice.''

The Tigers established momentum early, racing to a 14-6 lead on a Bear Shimrack basket at the 1:44 mark. Sharon led 14-11 at the end of the first quarter, but only after a Jeff Valentino 3-pointer at the buzzer was waved off.

East then took control of the game in the second quarter after Sharon cooled off significantly from the field, making just two of 14 shots. Led by 7 of Woodward's 13 first-half points, the Warriors held a 24-19 lead at intermission.

Woodward scored a game-high 22 points, but the Warriors managed to shoot a dismal 32 percent (20 of 63). Shannon Wiley, who entered the game averaging over 16 points per game, scored 12.

Shimrack led the Tigers with 14 points and also had 10 rebounds. Roberson and Barnett both scored 12 points. Sharon, however, also shot poorly from the floor, connecting on 21 of 56 attempts (38 percent).

``We weren't sharp tonight,'' Revale said. ``I'm not taking anything away from East. They play that style _ they're fast but deliberate. They hawk the ball.''

Sharon then recaptured its first-quarter form and went on a 6-2 run to open the third quarter. Valentino gave the Tigers their first lead since they lost it at the 4:50 mark of the second. His hoop with 4:15 left in the quarter made it 27-26.

The two teams traded baskets the rest of the way and the Tigers held a 33-32 advantage heading into the fourth.

Earl Chapman hit a 3-pointer to open the quarter and the Tigers seemed to be on their way to victory. But East had different thoughts.

A Pierre Cooley trey knotted the game at 38 with 4:07 left. Shimrack countered with a hoop of his own, but East's Yasmine Omanovic re-tied it at 40. Roberson hit a short jumper with 2:20 remaining in regulation to give the Tigers another narrow lead. With just 35 seconds left, Wiley hit a runner in the lane to tie the game at 42.

Sharon got the ball and played for the last shot, but Barnett's jumper at the buzzer was blocked and the game went into overtime.

The Tigers opened the extra frame with a 6-0 run, aided by four Valentino foul shots. Woodward countered with a pair of baskets and then Cooley connected to tie the game for the sixth time. On the ensuing inbounds play, neither Barnett or Valentino, Sharon's main ballhandlers, could get open so Chapman was stuck bringing the ball up the court. Cooley's quick hands garnered a steal and he passed off to Woodward, who was fouled by Barnett with five seconds left.

Woodward missed the first shot, but made the second for a 49-48 lead. East set up in the defense it wanted, but Barnett managed to get up the floor and dish to Roberson for the game-winner.

``That's the toughest situation to defend there is,'' Revale said. ``Five seconds left, up by one, you don't want to foul. We were in the bonus. So I told the guys to charge the hoop and get it down to Roberson. I pictured if we had a chance that would be it.''

Notes: Chapman finished with the lone 3-pointer but he grabbed 8 rebounds, 7 of which were defensive. ... Barnett and Valentino both dished out 6 assists. ... Woodward attempted 23 shots, making 9. He was 3 of 10 in the second quarter.

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Updated Feb. 25, 1998
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