FALCONS STIFLE PACKERS’ ATTEMPT AT AN UPSET
Smithfield’s 21-2 run during first half provides needed lift
YORK — Smithfield’s boys basketball team used a big run in an eight-minute span bridging the first and second quarters to hold off a dynamic York team 50-38 Wednesday night.
The Falcons gained an early edge as a Quentin Perrin steal drew a foul and two free throws. It was followed by a Isaiah Limuel steal and drive to the basket, which gave them a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes.
From there, things fell apart for York as Smithfield launched a methodical but effective 21-2 run to turn the six-point deficit into a 21-8 lead two minutes into the second quarter.
Baskets by Anthony Gray and Tory Robertson helped the visitors erase the initial lead in a minute, and Gray and Robertson scored 16 of the Packers’ 17 firstquarter points.
York forcefully tried to get back into the game, but suffered from a pair of charging calls that negated baskets.
Despite that, the Falcons’ Ryan McKnight converted a 3-pointer from the left corner that closed the lead to 21-12.
Smithfield led 28-16 at the intermission, then fell into the trap of following along with York’s run-and-gun offense.
The Falcons seemed to be devoid of set rotations and based their attack on continuous fast breaks, followed by either drives to the basket or kickout passes to a corner for a 3-point attempt.
Although most of the 3s missed, the Falcons held about even in the third quarter and trailed 41-28 entering the final period.
Packers coach Theotis Porter was concerned.
“We don’t want or guys to play down to another level,” said Porter, whose team raised its record to 10-4, 9-2 in the Bay Rivers. “We have been having that problem all season. We need to stay at the high bar that we set.”
The Packers tried set plays, but every miss was followed by a Falcons fast break, and York clawed back into the game.
A Jaylen Flood-Brown steal and layup closed the lead to 10, and a 3-pointer by Ryan McKnight closed the gap to seven.
Then in a critical sequence, Porter was called for a technical after a basket by York’s Gerald Bonds put the score at 43-36. Flood-Brown nailed both free throws, and the Falcons trailed by a mere five points with five minutes remaining.
The Falcons failed to convert, and Smithfield’s Rashad Tucker hit one of two free throws on the other end to nudge the lead back to six.
On York’s next possession, Brian Harold missed a 3-pointer from the left corner that would have cut the lead to three.
Smithfield scooped the rebound, and on the ensuing possession, Tylen McGee buried the Packers’ only 3-pointer of the game, completing a six-point swing that gave Smithfield a 47-38 lead with 3:40 to go.
Tucker followed with a putback to push the lead into double digits, and a series of York 3-pointers missed their mark to finish the game.
Robertson led the Packers with 19 points.
Porter said, “He played hard. He always plays hard and does a lot for us. I can’t ask for more from him, but we are going to work more on finishing games.”
Gray added 10 points, all in the first half.
Flood-Brown and McKnight led the Falcons (4-10, 3-8) with nine points.