Sterling boys basketball splits first week
Two games into the season, the Sterling boys basketball team has already experienced a peak and a valley. After its most recent victory over Timnath on Saturday, it will look to stay up top for as long as possible.
The Tigers began the year brushing off a loss when they traveled to Strasburg, subsequently leaving with a 65-56 setback. They took charge early, putting up 32 points through the first two quarters while holding the Indians to just 18, but the tides shifted significantly in the second half.
The two teams reversed roles, with the Indians putting up 21plus points in each of the last two quarters, leaving the Tigers to play catchup. They outpaced their visitors when it mattered most, leading to Sterling’s fall.
Despite the outcome, the Tigers enjoyed strong performances from junior Ethan Thyne (15 points), junior Colin Linn (14 points) and sophomore Dayten Diorio (10 points). Linn completed a strong, allaround effort by adding eight rebounds, two assists and a steal to his totals.
Four days later, Sterling bounced back in spectacular fashion when it faced off with Timnath in a neutral-court tournament, where it only lost control for a brief moment. The Tigers came out firing on all cylinders, netting 19 points in the first quarter, but the Cubs were nipping at their heels with 16 of their own.
The Tigers snuffed out that offensive flame, holding the Cubs to eight points in the second frame, all while putting up 20 more of their own. That set of eight minutes proved pivotal during the second half, when Timnath attempted a comeback.
Sterling still controlled the pace of the game, ever so slightly, by outscoring the Cubs 16 to 14 in the third quarter, and relied on the 55-38 advantage it had built up to that point when it cooled off in the final frame.
The Cubs claimed an edge in the final eight minutes, scoring 11 points to Sterling’s six, but it didn’t matter by that point. Now, the Tigers will look to add to their winnings when they host Wellington on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.