Tioga County Sports ReportSOUTHPORT — Finn Schweitzer's fadeaway 15-foot jumper at the buzzer lift Notre Dame to a 50-48 win over Newark Valley here Thursday night in IAC South Large School boys basketball action.
"We defended really well for the final 22 seconds, and got beat on a prayer," said Newark Valley coach Scott Stratton.
"The boys played a great team game tonight," denoted. "We moved the ball well, got good looks, were patient, and knocked down shots.
"Defensively, we did a great job tonight," added Stratton. "I’m really proud of the boys for their effort and commitment to that part of the game plan. We just came up one possession short tonight."
After a slow first quarter that ended with the score tied at 6-6, Tim Wojtysiak scored wight points, including a 3-pointer, while Tristan Veruto and Ashton Green each knocked down 3-pointers in the Cardinals' 19-14 spurt that gave them a 25-20 lead at the half.
Wojtysiak and Green each canned 3-pointers and scored five points apiece, and Veruto added four points, but the Crusaders outscored NV, 16-14, to close the gap to 39-36 entering the final eight minutes.
Nate Hinckley knocked down a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter for the Cardinals, but the Crusaders rallied with a 14-9 spurt in the final eight minutes.
Wojtysiak led Newark Valley with 16 points, while Veruto scored 12, Green added 10 and Hinckley chipped in with five.
Rocco Sayers led Notre Dame with 17 points, and Max O'Connor added 15 points.
Newark Valley, now 8-11, returns to action Friday at Marathon.
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IN PHOTO: Newark Valley's Tom Wojtysiak.
