Tyrone\’s seventh grade Golden Eagle basketball team drug the hardware home Saturday, March 3, from the Building II seventh/eighth grade winter league.
The Eagles, who concluded their regular season campaign 19-3 overall, soundly deafeated Bishop Guilfoyle 41-12, and won the championship with a perfect record in the league.
The Eagles, led offensively by Richard Crabtree\’s game high eight points, followed by Jordan Corl, J.D. Dorminy, and Steve Franco with six points; matched an earlier feat in the season when all of the Eagles scored in the game.
Tyrone\’s Golden Eagle Junior High basketball players were busy last week competing in two March Madness tournaments. A combination of Tyrone\’s seventh and eighth grade players traveled to Philipsburg\’s Mo Valley YMCA last week. The Eagles finished third in the12-team tournament. Hollidaysburg eighth grade won the championship.
The Eagles were defeated in the first round by State College 36-45, but came back to win the next two games 40-35 over Bald Eagle Area, and 49-43 over Clearfield.
In the semi-final, against Dubois Central Catholic, the Eagles got behind by 17 points in the first half but never quit competing. After the break at halftime, Derek Emigh and Jordon Faretta got the Eagles going again by turning up the heat defensively as the Eagles clawed their way back into the game cutting the lead to five points for Dubois. However, the Eagles wouldn\’t get any closer as Dubois held on for a 35-42 victory.
Richard Stever led the scoring for Tyrone followed by Jimmy Ferguson and Richard Crabtree.
Tyrone\’s seventh grade team competed in the Summit Athletic Club\’s March Madness Tournament over the past weekend. The Eagles defeated Roosevelt 39-31 in the first round on Saturday. Nick Patton put in 10 points, followed by JD Dorminy with nine. Also, on Saturday, the Eagles defeated Philipsburg\’s Mounties 45-29.
On Sunday, the Eagles took on Hollidaysburg\’s undefeated Tigers that previously defeated them in the championship game at the Roosevelt League. With three minutes remaining, Tyrone was leading by nine points, but could not hold the Tigers down in this barn burner and eventually fell in double overtime 57-60. The Tigers put in a three pointer to tie the game with eight seconds remaining in regulation.
Seve Franco led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Richard Crabtree with 19.
Kaleb Chronister held down the Tigers Jared Shannon in a great defensive effort along with JD Dorminy and Nick Patton. “This was one of the most exciting games I have ever been involved in as a coach,” said Coach Stever. “Our players, and myself, were totally drained after this game. They left every ounce of effort on the court again. I am soo proud of these young men.”
The seventh grade Eagles play again today at 2:00 p.m. at the Summit against the winner of State College vs Keith contest.
