By Rob Potter
ELDRED — February 19, 2008 — The Eldred Yellowjackets rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the visiting Roscoe Blue Devils, 67-58, in Thursday night’s Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division VI basketball game.
The Yellowjackets were behind 46-43 entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Roscoe by a 24-12 margin in the final eight minutes to earn the victory.
A steal and layup by Cody DeRosia with 4:53 remaining in the game gave the Blue Devils a 50-49 lead.
With the score tied at 50-50 less than a minute later, Eldred’s John Scully made a pair of foul shots to give his team 52-50 advantage.
The Yellowjackets then held the lead until the final buzzer.
A basket by senior forward Bobby Moriggia midway through the second quarter gave Eldred (8-9, 4-4 Division VI) a double-digit lead at 26-16.
But the Blue Devils went on a 9-0 run to cut the Yellowjackets’ lead to a single point at halftime.
Scully, Moriggia and Kojo Williams paced the Yellowjackets’ offense. Scully had a game-high 23 points, Moriggia netted 13 points and Williams added 11 points.
Four players scored in double figures for Roscoe (8-9, 1-7 Division VI).
Jayson Harris had 17 points, Cody DeRosia and John Lundeen had 15 points apiece and John Clancy recorded 13 points.
While praising his players for their performance throughout the game, Donnelly also noted their improvement throughout the season.
“We started 0-5, but since the second week of January, we have continued to improve,” Donnelly said. “These players have continued to work hard.”
“Both teams played well tonight,” Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart said.
Ahart honored prior to game
Prior to the introduction of each team’s starting lineup, Eldred Athletic Director Al Wojtaszek presented a game ball with the No. 800 written on it to Ahart. The ball recognized that the contest would be the 800th Ahart has coached since starting his career at Roscoe Central School during the 1969-1970 school year.
The entire crowd then gave Ahart a standing ovation.
The ball was signed by Ahart’s current players as well as current Assistant Coach Brian Smith and former Assistant Coaches Bill Hendrickson and Pete DeVantier.
“I dedicate this to all of my players over the years and the assistant coaches who have been with the program,” Ahart said following the game as he held onto the basketball. “And I thank my wife Becky and my family for all of their support over the years.
“I’ve coached many games against Charlie Donnelly over the the years,” Ahart added. “He’s an outstanding coach and gentleman.”
Donnelly said, “I would like to congratulate Fred on coaching his 800th game. Fred and I have coached many games like tonight – they were close and went right down to the wire. His teams give a great effort, he always has his kids ready to play.”