Metea edges Waubonsie Valley
It was a battle to the finish Wednesday when the Metea Valley boys basketball team held on to beat host Waubonsie Valley 64-63 in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division opener for both teams.
But while it was a close game, the Mustangs (3-2, 1-0) grabbed control of the contest early on and fought off the surge from the Warriors (2-3, 0-1). Ron Edwards, who had not been pleased with his play going into the cross-town battle, came off the bench to sink three 3-point baskets in the second quarter that contributed to a 24-point Metea outburst and a 39-30 halftime lead. He sank one more 3 in the fourth quarter to finish with 12 points.
“I was just trying to improve. I have not played my best the past four games and wanted to come out and attack the basket,” Edwards said.
The Mustangs never trailed the rest of the game.
“Ronnie was feeling it. It was good to see,” said Metea coach Bob Vozza. “I was happy with our response. We had good middle quarters, but we have a lot to work on to finish games.”
The Mustangs also got a big night from Mark Konkle, who led Metea with 19 points and 8 rebounds.
“Coach had a great game plan, as (the Warriors) don't have the same size as they have had in the past, about getting me in the right positions,” Konkle said. “The guards did a great job of getting me in the right positions.”
Metea led 56-39 early in the fourth quarter, and one might reasonably assume that the game was on cruise control. But a big night from Jack Connolly, who scored a game-high 25 points, helpd the Warriors get back into the game. He sank two of his five 3-point baskets in the crucial final period.
Teammate Mark Rullo, who was 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in the final quarter, sank 2 of those shots with 10.5 seconds remaining to pull the Warriors to within 62-60. But a couple of seconds later, Waubonsie fouled and Matt Helwig hit 2 free throws to make the score 64-60. Connolly sank his final 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“Jack played a great game,” said Waubonsie coach Chaz Taft. “We were just trying to pressure (Metea) and went to late-game situations.
“I've liked how we've played. We share the basketball. We are always looking for the extra pass. There are some things that we need to fix tomorrow and we face a good East Aurora team on Friday.”
Metea Valley faces Neuqua Valley on Friday.
“We go from one good team to another,” Konkle said. “We're 1-0 in conference. That's what matters the most.”