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Rockets’ pressure leads to 70-50 win at Geibel

By Jim Downey 2 min read
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Jefferson-MorganĢƵ Dayten Marion shoots around the outstretched arm of the Gators’ John Hess in the third quarter of MondayĢƵ Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic. Marion scored 19 points in the Rockets’ 70-50 victory.
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The Gators’ Tommy Kolencik lays the ball off the board for a field goal late in the first quarter of MondayĢƵ Section 2-A game against Jefferson-Morgan at Geibel Catholic.
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Jefferson-MorganĢƵ Houston Guesman (5) flies through the Geibel Catholic defense for two points in the third quarter of MondayĢƵ Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
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The Gators’ Evan Jellots lays the ball in for two points in front of Jefferson-MorganĢƵ Dayten Marion in the first quarter of MondayĢƵ Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.
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Jefferson-MorganĢƵ Dayten Marion (13) and the Gators’ John Hess (41) fight for a rebound in the first quarter of MondayĢƵ Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic.

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — Jefferson-Morgan turned up the full-court pressure in the second quarter and the defense paid dividends for a 70-50 victory at Geibel Catholic Monday night in Section 2-A game.

The Gators rolled into the second quarter on the momentum of Tommy KolencikĢƵ buzzer-beating layup for a 12-9 lead.

The lead quickly evaporated in the second quarter as the Rockets pressured the home team into a number of turnovers, many of which were transformed into points for a 25-7 advantage and 34-19 halftime lead.

“The turnovers were the story of the game,” said Geibel Catholic first-year coach Gary Tarbuk.

“We did a great job the last four games with ball control. Tonight, the turnovers were self-inflicted by us.”

Tarbuk also pointed to the play underneath the basket.

“Rebounding, defensively, hurt us,” added Tarbuk.

Geibel didn’t lose ground in the third quarter, outscoring the Rockets, 13-12.

“They didn’t quit,” said Tarbuk.

Jefferson-Morgan squelched any hope of a late comeback, pounding the ball in the paint to close with a 24-18 advantage in the final eight minutes.

The Gators are still seeking their first win, slipping to 0-5 in the section and 0-15 overall. Although, the past few games Geibel was in position to win.

“We held the lead in the past four games going into the last quarter. We are starting to turn the corner,” said Tarbuk.

Tommy Kolencik scored a game-high 24 points for the Gators. Gary Tarbuk finished with 12 points and Mike Miller added 10.

Dayten Marion led the Rockets (3-2, 10-6) with 19 points, all from in the paint. John Woodward Jr. added 15 points.

The inside-outside dynamic, plus transition offense created from pressure defense, is what Jefferson-Morgan coach Brandon Lawless is trying to create.

“We show flashes at times. It varies in the quarters. At times, we have trouble finding our identity,” said Lawless. “We did a good job working to our big man. We’ve been emphasizing getting the ball inside and playing inside-out.

“We play through our bigs. I really want to get to the basket, play power basketball or get it out fast.”

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