By Rob Potter
DOWNSVILLE — January 4, 2011 — After two quarters of play in last Wednesday night’s Downsville Central School Holiday Classic Tournament basketball game, The Family School Falcons held a 38-29 lead over the host Downsville Eagles.
Once the second half began, it didn’t take long for The Family School to increase its advantage. The Falcons outscored the Eagles 32 to 18 in the third quarter to take a commanding 70-47 lead into the fourth period.
In that final period, Downsville outscored The Family School, 18-15, but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons recorded an 85-65 win.
DeMarcus Williams scored six points as The Family School (4-2) jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first four minutes of the game.
But the Eagles quickly rallied to tie the game at 11-11 with 1:55 to go in the first quarter. Colin Norwood drove down the lane to score the tying basket.
The Falcons regained the lead at 13-11 on their next possession as Francis Hannon scored inside the key.
Downsville’s Joel Shaver tied the game at 13-13 with a basket just 12 seconds later.
The Family School outscored Downsville 8-2 during the rest of the quarter to take a 21-13 advantage. Williams scored the last basket of the stanza when he banked the ball off the backboard and through the net with five seconds to go.
With 2:37 remaining in the second period, Downsville’s Ethan Bass swished a pair of free throws to bring his team to within a point at 30-29.
But the Falcons answered with an 9-0 run to close out the period. Williams made a 3-point shot and Hannon scored two baskets during that run.
The Falcons then scored the first two baskets of the third quarter to push their lead to double digits at 42-29.
Five Family School players scored in double figures to lead the team to victory. Williams netted a game-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.
The other Falcons to achieve double figures in the scoring column were Stephen Eckert (17 points), Hannon (15 points), Owen Daugherty (12 points) and Kevin Gray (10 points).
“In the first half, we were playing as individuals and playing very selfishly,” Family School Coach Larry Patrisso said. “At halftime, I told the players that they needed to play together as a team. And that’s what they did in the second half. They made good passes, took good shots and played as a unit.”
Patrisso also praised his players for working hard in their second tournament of the winter recess. Prior to the Downsville tournament, The Family School participated in a tournament in Forest City, Pa. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they lost the two games they played in Forest City.
“We have played four times in the last six days, so I think we were getting a little tired,” Patrisso said. “But these guys gave a great effort tonight and played hard the whole game.”
Nick Baxter and Shaver each scored 17 points to pace Downsville (4-4), while Bass finished with seven points.
“The Family School shot the ball well and their defense was outstanding,” Downsville Coach Danny Haynes said. “They ran their half-court offense very well and were able to make shots when they needed to.
“We like to play an up-tempo running game, but tonight The Family School did a better job of playing at a fast pace,” Haynes added. “They beat us at our own game.”
Note: Because of a scheduling error, the Downsville Central School Holiday Classic Tournament was played in a round-robin format rather than the traditional four-team format. In the first tournament game last Tuesday night, Downsville defeated the Roscoe Blue Devils, 67-29.
When The Family School visits Roscoe tomorrow night for an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Division VI game, it will also count as the final contest of the Downsville tourney.