Tigers have problems holding on to a lead
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

The Amherst Central boys basketball team learned a valuable lesson last week which they can use next week in the Section VI playoffs - hold on to a lead when you have one.

The Tigers blew a 20-point lead in the second half at Pioneer last Tuesday and lost 70-65 in overtime and almost lost a 19-point lead at Springville last Friday but held on for a 66-59 victory.

"If we're going to be successful in the playoffs, we need consistency, not for two or three quarters," said Amherst coach Mike Chatelle.

Amherst led Pioneer, 12-8, after the first quarter, 25-21, at halftime, and 46-30, after three quarters. Chatelle said his team went up by 20 in the third quarter before Pioneer outscored them, 30-14, in the fourth quarter.

"To give up 30 in one quarter was disappointing," said Chatelle. "It's not what we strive for, especially on a night when we score 65."

Three-pointers brought Pioneer back into the game. Between the fourth quarter and overtime, the Panthers hit seven of its eight threes.

Lucas Haskill connected on five of them (four in fourth, one in overtime) to help increase his point total from six at halftime to 36 after overtime. Teammate Mike Malicki connected on a three in the fourth and in overtime. He scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half and overtime.

"We had hands in their face contesting their threes," said Chatelle. "They hit a bunch from 24 to 25 feet away."

Amherst had a chance to win the game in regulation. With 7.7 seconds remaining and the score tied at 60-60, the Tigers missed a layup, got the rebound and missed the put back.

Nico McLean led Amherst with 24 points. Geoff Gallson added 12 off the bench. Viron Hale chipped in eight points. Kurt Ebsary had seven.

Against Springville, the Tigers shot 63 percent (17 for 27) from the floor in the first half and used pressure defense to generate turnovers to jump start them to a 19-6 lead after the first quarter and 38-19 advantage by halftime.

In the second half, Amherst shot 24 percent (9 for 37) and got outscored 20-9 in the third quarter. The closest Springville came to taking the lead was 50-48 early in the fourth quarter.

"We didn't play defense like we did in the first half," said Chatelle. "On offense, we had decent shots but they scored more on their early opportunities."

Ebsary led Amherst with 16 points and five steals. McLean added 15 points and five steals. Stephone Brown poured in career highs with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Hale added four points and eight rebounds.

Amherst (7-9, 6-6) played at Starpoint on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at Maryvale at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and host Clarence at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

"This week is going to be important for us to get focused on the playoffs," said Chatelle.