Junior-high Chucks split with St. Marys

January 20, 2011

Punxsy seventh-grader Braxton Giavedoni lays in two points during the fourth quarter of the Chucks' 43-31 victory over St. Marys Tuesday. (Photo by Dan Walk/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Double digit scoring performances by John Matthews and Braxton Giavedoni carried the Punxsy seventh-grade boys' basketball team toward a 43-31 triumph over St. Marys Tuesday in Punxsutawney.

Punxsy (6-2) outscored St. Marys 10-9 during the first and second quarters and 11-9 during the final frame, making the Chucks' 14-6 second quarter the separating factor between a tight victory and a double-digit win.

Matthews scored a team-best 16 points, and Giavedoni wasn't too far behind, tallying 12 points.

"Braxton has been consistent and constantly hustles," Punxsy coach Darren Sherry said. "Both John and Braxton showed leadership."

Punxsy struggled from the free-throw line — it made 5-of-16 foul shots — and Sherry said his team needs to improve its rebounding.

The seventh-grade Chucks will have a chance at doing better at the charity stripe and on the boards at 4 p.m. Friday in Bradford.

St. Marys 48, eighth-grade boys 13

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsy eighth-grade boys' basketball team was unable to keep up with St. Marys' speed during a 48-13 loss Tuesday at home.

The Chucks (5-3) couldn't score more than five points during any quarter, as they trailed 24-6 at halftime. The second half didn't get much better, with the Dutch scoring 24 points to Punxsy's seven.

"St. Marys has a quick team, and they took advantage of that. We made some poor decisions, and that really cost us," Punxsy coach Glenn Good said. "Every game and every practice is a learning opportunity. Our challenge will be what we will do with what we learned."

Adam Ferko led Punxsy with five points, Ryan Sloniger added four, and both Brandon Blose and Dakota Thomas totaled two.

The Chucks visit the Bradford Owls for a 5 p.m. start Friday.