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

Published Sunday, March 15, 1998

PIAA PLAYOFFS
Tigers 67, Indians 52
GJR has it made in the shade
* * *
Tigers' state title quest continues
* * *
WPIAL'S ALIQUIPPA NEXT FOR GEORGE JUNIOR IN SEMIS
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer

BUTLER _ George Junior Republic and the word blowout have become synonymous recently. After all, the Tigers are outscoring their opponents by an average of 40 points a game in the postseason.

And while a 67-52 victory over Shady Side Academy Saturday in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals looks like a comfortable margin of victory on paper, GJR arguably faced its toughest test since it's lone loss back in December, a 61-60 defeat at Kennedy Christian.

For the first three quarters, the Indians (22-8) matched the powerful Tigers (29-1) shot for shot, even taking a 39-38 lead on a Maurio Medley 3-pointer at the 5:17 mark of the third.

But in the fourth quarter, the Tigers wore down Shady Side mentally, if not physically as well. George Junior outscored the Indians 21-9 in the final frame en route to the victory.

The Tigers will face Aliquippa, a 75-46 winner over Windber, Wednesday in the PIAA Western Finals at a site and time to be determined.

Without the benefit of playing a close game in recent weeks, George Junior coach Bob McConnell was quite pleased with the way his charges responded when faced with adversity.

``It's not that you look forward to close games, I wish they were all blowouts,'' McConnell said. ``But it's sort of nice to be in a heated game. I was sitting over there in the fourth quarter thinking, `Maybe this isn't so bad that we had somebody come after us.' Our kids showed some character. It's going to help us.

``It's nothing different than what I thought going in. I thought this would be our toughest matchup even as I looked to the Western Finals. I'm not saying that we'll beat Aliquippa, but as I looked at the matchups, I just thought this team would really matchup well with us.''

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers held Shady Side to just three field goals in 16 attempts. The Indians went four minutes without a field goal during one stretch, allowing the Tigers to improve a 54-46 lead to a 64-48 advantage. The Indians were also just 3 of 9 from the foul line in the quarter and finished 9 of 21 for the game.

Shady Side coach Will Saunders saw the game as a learning experience for his young team. The Indians' roster is top-heavy with juniors and for several stretches in the game, Saunders had two freshman and three juniors on the court.

``It comes down to free throw shooting and execution,'' Saunders said. ``For three quarters it seemed like our game plan worked pretty well. Unfortunately, in these situations, we've got to start executing better. I hope that these guys learn from it.''

George Junior, a veteran squad, made 25 of its 34 foul shots, including 9 of 13 down the stretch.

The high number of attempted foul shots was indicative of the physical style both teams employed throughout the game.

``I thought that we could bang,'' Saunders said. ``What I was concerned about was seeing some guys leak out of there. I said, `Look, these guys are challenging your manhood.' We've got big kids. We felt okay with the physical part.''

It was a style the Tigers love to play and 6-5 forward Jamal Benjamin was the beneficiary, scoring a game-high 21 points, 9 of which came in the fourth quarter.

Benjamin opened the fourth with a layup to make it 48-43 and closed a 6-0 run by the Tigers with a steal and layup to give GJR a nine-point advantage. Moments later he emerged from nowhere to swat a Adam Frederick 3-point attempt into the stands.

Benjamin also played a solid first half, sending the two teams into the locker room after a floating scoop shot from behind the backboard hit nothing but net. The basket gave George Junior a 34-28 lead at the halftime buzzer.

``Benjamin stepped up more than anybody,'' McConnell said. ``He played a great game.''

B.J. Grove also had a big first half, scoring 11 of his 12 points. He hit consecutive baskets to give GJR a 12-7 lead in the first quarter and the Tigers went on to hold an 18-13 advantage after one. Grove also pulled down 7 rebounds for the game.

The Indians opened the second quarter with a 9-2 run, aided by the last of three 3-pointers by 6-4 freshman Mark Lovett, which tied the game at 20. Jarius Acie, who burnt the Tigers early with several open layups, scored on a breakaway to give Shady Side its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 22-20, at the 5:40 mark. Acie led the Indians with 12 points, but had just two in the second half.

``He broke out on us,'' McConnell said. ``Obviously they did their homework and scouted us and saw that (Jarrod) Graham gets in there a little tight (on rebounds). They ran out on us and got four easy ones. Take away the four easy ones they got and we're up 15 (at the half).''

Shady Side opened the third quarter much like it did in the second, starting with an 8-2 run that tied the game at 36. After a pair of free throws by Shane Keen, Medley hit another trey to give Shady Side what would be its final lead, 39-38.

The shot seemed to wake up the Tigers, although they couldn't shake the Indians. That is, until the fourth quarter. Along with holding Shady Side to poor shooting during the final quarter, George Junior forced eight turnovers. Shady Side finished with 19 miscues.

``I thought it was a really good game,'' Saunders said. ``For three quarters it was an outstanding high school game. I thought the emotion and intensity were there for both teams. Unfortunately, they were mentally tough. We have guys throwing balls at other guys' feet. I don't think were were worn out, I think mentally we were fatigued.''

Graham added 11 points for the Tigers, 9 of which came in the second half. Gerome Ruff came off the bench to hit 7 of his 11 points in the final two quarters. Keen led the Tigers on the boards with 10 rebounds.

Notes: George Junior advanced to the Final Four for the fifth time in the six years. ... In 1994, Aliquippa defeated the Tigers, 73-65, in the state semifinals. ... George Junior shot 45 percent (21 of 47) from the field. ... The Tigers turned the ball over 18 times. ... Benjamin had 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. ... Shady Side shot 37 percent (19 of 52) from the field. ... Quincy Curry had 10 points and 9 rebounds. Lovett added 11 points.

PIAA Class AA Quarterfinals

 GEORGE JUNIOR _ Grove 4-4-5-12, Graham 3-5-7-11, Benjamin 7-7-10-21, Kelly 1-4-4-6, Ruff 5-1-2-11, Ford 0-0-0-0. Totals: 21-25-34-67.

 SHADY SIDE ACADEMY _ Acie 4-4-4-12, Medley 2-1-2-7, Curry 4-2-7-10, Alexander 1-0-1-2, Frederick 2-1-4-5, Lovett 4-0-0-11, Booker 2-0-1-4, Friedman 0-1-2-1. 3-point goals: Lovett 3, Medley 2. Totals: 19-9-21-52.
GEORGE JUNIOR...  18  34  46  67
SHADY SIDE......  13  28  43  52

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Updated March 16, 1998
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