Park runs away from Weir High with second-half explosion
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WHEELING -- When it comes to post players, Brett Phillips is undersized. When it comes to production, the Wheeling Park sophomore comes up quite big.
The 6-foot-2 dandy netted 14 points and pulled down a whopping 19 rebounds in leading the Patriots to a methodical 69-35 triumph over Weir High Tuesday night at The Palace on the Hill. Coach Michael Jebbia's well-drilled charges trailed 15-12 after the first quarter before ratcheting up their defense play, while also owning the backboards to win for the third time in five starts.
"I was real happy with our defensive play. We were a little passive offensively to start the game, and our defense really picked us up," Jebbia said. "Fifteen of Weir's 20 points in the first half came on 3s. They didn't make any in the second half.
"We did a tremendous job on the boards. We outrebounded them 42-19. That helped us get out and run. Brett really did a great job of rebounding. It was a good solid win for us."
Jebbia's crew displayed nice offensive balance.
Phillips' 14 counters were matched by senior guard Avery Lee. Standout senior point guard D.J. Saunders delivered 13 points, five rebounds and three steals in a strong effort. Senior Jack Lewton was a positive for the Patriots off the bench, finishing with nine tallies.
The loss dropped Weir to 2-4 on the season (0-4 on the road) for first-year coach Anthony Santangelo. The game took on a personal note for Santangelo, as he did his student teaching under Jebbia.
Junior Tyler Kelly paced the Hancock Countians with six points, while classmate Anthony Cross chipped in with five markers.
In addition to its shortcomings on the boards, Weir had a rough night handling Park's man-to-man defense. The Red Riders committed 19 turnovers.
"I was happy with how we started. We were playing with energy and making shots," Santangelo said. "But then, we started committing turnovers, and we lost that energy. We got lazy at times.
"They really hurt us on the boards. We just got to find the five guys who are going to play hard the entire game. I have a lot of respect for Michael Jebbia. He is a great coach, and he had his team ready to play."
Weir is right back into action tonight, tentatively, hosting Cameron.
Park started quickly, tallying 10 of the game's first 13 points, getting four each from Saunders and Phillips.
Weir turned the tide, albeit for an abbreviated time, running off nine straight points for a 12-10 edge, en route to a 15-12 lead after the opening chapter. Points, however, came at a premium the balance of the night for the Red Riders.
Park outscored the visitors by a 13-5 margin in the second period to take a 25-20 lead into intermission. The Patriots used eight points from Phillips and seven from Lee to break matters wide open in the third quarter, outpointing Weir, 23-9, for a commanding 48-29 upper hand after entering the final quarter.
"It is nice to get this win at home. We now play our next seven games on the road," Jebbia said.
Park begins that elongated road trek at University on Thursday.
Wheeling Park 69, Weir High 35
Weir High 15 5 9 6 -- 35
Wheeling 12 13 23 21 -- 69
WEIR HIGH: A. Cross 2, 1-1 5; Nosko 1, 1-2 4; Scopel 1, 2-2 4; Kelly 2, 0-0 6; Morgan 1, 0-0 3; C. Cross 1, 0-0 3; Smith 2, 0-0 4; Fierro 1, 2-2 4; Rice 1, 0-0 2. TOTALS: 12, 6-7: 35.
WHEELING PARK: Jackson 0, 0-0 0; Heller 2, 2-2 6; Saunders 6, 1-3 13; Lee 6, 2-3 14; Phillips 6, 2-4 14; Francis 3, 0-0 6; Lewton 3, 3-4 9; Hairston 1, 0-0 2; Richter 2, 0-0 5; Gibson 0, 0-0 0. TOTALS: 29, 10-16: 69.
3-POINT GOALS: Weir High 5 (Kelly 2, Nosko, Morgan, C. Cross); Wheeling Park 1 (Richter).