Philipsburg-Osceola took an 18-13 lead after one period at Philipsburg on Tuesday night and Tyrone and the Mounties played nearly even-up over the final three quarters to give Philipsburg-Osceola the 67-60 victory.
Mike LaFuria poured in 10 points in the opening period to pace the Mounties to their five-point lead, on the way to a game-high 23 points that included five three-pointers.
“The kids played awfully hard tonight,” said Tyrone coach Mike Harris. “Injuries and foul trouble hurt us however, and we had some defensive breakdowns like those that allowed LaFuria to score five three-pointers.”
Philipsburg-Osceola picked up another point in the second quarter with a 16-15 scoring margin to lead 34-28 at the halftime intermission.
Tyrone lost junior Tadd Chamberlain to injury in the second quarter and sophomore Leonard Wilson, who has been on a hot streak, was in early foul trouble for the Golden Eagles, which limited his playing time.
The two teams fought to a 12-12 draw in the third quarter and Philipsburg outscored the Orange and Black by another points 21-20 in the fourth quarter.
“We kept coming back to close to within a point or two and then P-O would take off again. We just couldn’t get over the hump tonight.”
The 6-4 Chamberlain had scored 11 points in the first meeting between the two long-time rivals and his presence in the middle is imposing for opponents. The Mounties Jeremy Potter, got in foul trouble in the first game and was pretty much a non-factor, but was big for the P-O offense on Tuesday with 15 points
“This was their Senior Night and they took advantage of the home crowd and the atmosphere,” explained Harris. “The offense he provided in the first game, plus his defensive pressure was something we really missed when Tadd got hurt. “
Josh Crabtree and Kevin Hershberger each scored 13 points to lead the Eagles. Nick Cushion added 10 points.
“Our kids left everything on the floor,” said Harris. “There is no quit in these kids. They play harder than other teams. They work harder then other teams. They play all out every game and let the chips fall where they may.
“Kevin (Hershberger) played really well tonight. He kept hitting shot after shot, even though everybody tries to limit his scoring. They know he is an offensive threat and double and triple-team him at times. Josh Crabtree also had a big night. Josh has been struggling at the foul line, but last night he was five-of-eight from the line. Adam Hoover and Shane Gherrity and all the kids coming off the bench have done a great job for us.”
Tyrone (6-15 overall, 1-6 in the Mountain Conference) will celebrate Senior Night on Thursday, against Clearfield. The junior varsity will begin at 6 p.m., then the senior basketball players and cheerleaders will be recognized prior to the varsity contest which will start at 7:30.
Philipsburg-Osceola 67 Tyrone 60
TYRONE – Crabtree 4 5-8 13, Clark 3 0-0 7, Cushion 4 0-0 10, Wilson 0 4-5 4, Chamberlain 1 0-0 2, Hershberger 6 0-1 13, Corle 0 0-0 0, Hoover 1 2-4 4, Gherrity 2 0-0 4, Haney 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 20 11-19 60.
PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA – Bunyak 3 5-6 11, M. LaFuria 7 4-6 23, Watson 0 0-2 0, Wasilko 3 1-2 7, L. LaFuria 4 0-0 8, Potter 5 5-7 15, Scoggins 1 0-0 3. TOTALS 23 15-22 67.
Score by Quarters
Tyrone 13 15 12 20 – 60
Philipsburg-Osceola 18 16 12 21 – 67
Three point goals: Tyrone 5 (Cushion 3, Clark 1, Hershberger 1)
Philipsburg-Osceola 6 (M. LaFuria 5, Scoggins 1).
