IAC BOYS BASKETBALL: NEWARK VALLEY ROLLS TO ANOTHER BIG WIN (2022-12-02)
Tioga County Sports Report
ODESSA — Newark Valley continued to roll during opening week, running away with a 90-54 victory over Odessa-Montour in IAC boys basketball action Friday.
The Cardinals bolted to a 27-15 lead in the first quarter and increased it to 52-28 at halftime.
“We got contributions from everyone tonight,” NV coach Scott Stratton said. “The boys came out enthusiastic, ready to play defense, and it certainly showed.”
Dan Truesdail scored half of his game-high 20 points in the opening stanza.
Tyler Malnoske prevented a Grizzlies meltdown with a trio of 3-pointers in the opening period, but scored just four points the rest of the way. Other than Malnoske’s long-range accuracy, no Grizzly score more than four points in either of the first two periods.
Six different NV players scored in the first quarter and eight Cardinals found the inside of the rim in the second period as the Cardinals nearly doubled up O-M at the break.
They did double up the Grizzlies in the third quarter, 24-12, with Joe Rombach scoring eight points, and Dan Pirger and Truesdail chipping in with six apiece.
“It was a high-speed game, and we were able to take advantage on the break,” Stratton said.
“Dan Pirger did an excellent job captaining the fast break. He was able to create for himself, and time and time again his dribble penetration allowed him to find his teammates.
“Truesdail used his speed on the perimeter and size underneath and had a very good game offensively. He’s a strong finisher at the basket.
“Joe is high-energy defense. He’s got great hands and instincts defensively, and he runs the floor offensively really well.”
Rombach and Pirger contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively, to the victory.
Ryan Rhodes and Landon Spoonhower chipped in with nine points apiece, and Will Craparo and Caleb Karp added seven points each.
Gavin Mann and Troy Middendorf added four points apiece, and Keller tacked on two more.
Daniel Lewis led O-M with 20 points, Malnoske finished with 13 and Brad Gillis had 10.
The Cardinals (2-0) head to Edison (0-1) Tuesday.
JV: Newark Valley won, 47-33.
