By Rob Potter
LAKE HUNTINGTON — January 19, 2010 — The home teams prevailed in two non-league basketball games on Friday night at Sullivan West High School.
In the first game, the SW Lady Bulldogs defeated The Family School Lady Falcons, 69-28. In the second game of the evening, the SW Bulldogs recorded their first victory of the season by stopping The Family School Falcons, 76-43.
Bulldogs rally from early deficit
In the boys’ game, three Family School players – Jason Dabrowski, Isaac Moore and Jens Jensen Reinke – scored baskets to help their team take a 9-4 lead midway through the first quarter.
But SW’s John Masten swished a 3-pointer with 3:12 left to bring the home team to within a basket. Just 25 seconds later, R.J. Rosa scored to tie the game at 9-9.
Rosa swished a 3-pointer with 20 seconds to go in the quarter to give the Bulldogs a 14-9 advantage.
Rosa made two more shots from beyond the arc as SW (1-10) started the second period with a 9-4 run to take a 23-13 lead.
The Bulldogs held a 32-18 advantage at halftime and pushed their lead to 55-32 by the conclusion of the third quarter.
Rosa, a senior forward who only played the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter, led the SW offense with a game-high 31 points. Lucas Bauer and E.J. Franskevicz added 12 points and 11 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs.
“It was a good win,” SW Coach Cliff Kelly said. “Everybody played well and we did a lot of good things on the court.”
Moore led The Family School (2-10) with 13 points and teammate Kevin Gary had seven points.
“It just wasn’t our night,” Family School Coach Ted Towsley said. “Give credit to Sullivan West. [R.J.] Rosa had an outstanding game for them.”
Balanced scoring helps
Lady Bulldogs record a win
Five players finished in double figures to help the SW Lady Bulldogs register a victory.
Junior guard Jillian Fife scored a game-high 15 points, while Shelby Grishaber had 14 points, Gabrielle Humleker and Kim Yewchuk scored 11 points apiece and Autumn Ackermann added 10 points.
The score was close in the first quarter, but SW (5-5) surged to a 27-10 lead midway through the second quarter.
The Lady Bulldogs had a 38-12 advantage at halftime.
Nadine Nixon and Sarah Vevante each scored 10 points to lead The Family School (1-8).
Karen Soule added six points for the Lady Falcons.
Family School Coach Carlton Williams noted that the Lady Bulldogs played well.
But he also praised his players and focused on the positive aspects from the game and overall season.
“I think we have improved a lot during this season,” Williams said. “Everybody is giving it their all.”