Leopards, Wildcats split games

February 08, 2005|by JACK HILL III/Staff Correspondent

SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg boys basketball team found its touch from 3-point range on Monday night.

The Leopards made six of their seven 3-pointers and scored 34 points in the second half to come back from a four-point halftime deficit and post a 50-41 win over the Williamsport Wildcats in the first game of a MVAL Antietam boys and girls basketball doubleheader.

Junior guard Andrew Bentley made five of his six field goals from 3-point range and scored a game-high 17 points for Smithsburg (9-8, 6-4). Andrew Bohan added 10 points for the Leopards. Smithsburg center Clay Marquiss, who ranks second in the Tri-State area with 5.1 blocks per game, finished with six blocked shots.

The Leopards made 11 of 18 free throws, including 8 of 10 in the fourth quarter.

Smithsburg coach Eric Gerber was pleased with his team's defense.

"Our defense is what has been carrying us all year," Gerber said. "Our goal is to hold teams under 40 points a game and hope that we can score 40 points."

Corey Broadwater scored 13 points, David Warrenfeltz added 11 points and Phillip Jordan grabbed seven rebounds for Williamsport (7-9, 6-4).

"We just made some critical errors at the most important times of the game," Williamsport coach Scott Mowbray said.

In the girls game, Williamsport overcame a disappointing 13-for-44 (29.5 percent) performance from the free throw line to win, 50-45.

Adrienne Munoz scored 16 points, while Chrissy Minnick collected 12 points and 10 rebounds for Williamsport (6-12, 4-6). Freshman guard Morgan Smith had 10 points and Ashley Kunkleman made four steals for the Wildcats.

"We zoned all night," Williamsport coach Chris Malott said. "We forced Smithsburg to take outside shots and, fortunately, they didn't make too many. We handled their pressure really well and we rebounded really well."

Junior guard Teonna Jewell finished with game-high totals of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Reilly Burrus added 10 points for Smithsburg (9-8, 6-4). Sophomore point guard Cara Jordan scored eight points for the Leopards.

Smithsburg center Laura Sudec played only a few minutes because of a foot injury.

"During the first three quarters, we just didn't play with the defensive intensity that was needed," Leopards coach Bill Fowkes said.

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