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By JOEL RINEER
Staff writer
The Forbes Road boys basketball team hasn't made the PIAA Tournament in a decade and it hasn't won a state playoff game since 1991-92.
But don't assume the Cardinals are just happy to be in the Big Dance.
After watching perennial power Elk County Catholic play in last week's District 9 title game, Forbes Road coach Jeff Gelvin likes the way his team matches up with the Crusaders.
The teams will meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium -- for Forbes Road, it's a 150-mile trip one way -- in a PIAA Class A first-round game.
"I scouted their game on Saturday and I feel we match up very well with them," Gelvin said. "Our league was really good this year and the teams we played this summer (at Juniata and Susquehanna) have prepared us pretty good."
The Cardinals (19-6) were disappointed about their 51-40 District 5 semifinal playoff loss to Tussey Mountain. But they bounced back in time to knock off Shade and claim their first PIAA appearance since 1999-00.
"It's been a long time since Forbes Road made it this far," Gelvin said. "This was one of our goals this season and the kids are happy to be moving on. We're looking forward to the challenge."
Senior guard Jesse Newman scored 30 points in the victory over Shade and junior center Tanner Henry added 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
Those two will be pivotal against Elk County Catholic (23-5), which won a state championship
Gelvin said, "Elk County Catholic has a big tradition and won states a couple years ago. I feel if we can go up there and play well -- and I think we will -- we'll be right in the game. It will be a big disadvantage crowd-wise. They pack it in."
Defensively, the Crusaders are outstanding, allowing just 40.7 points per game. In the district final, Elk County Catholic employed a 1-2-2 zone press and a man-to-man press, something the Cardinals don't see often.
This is where Newman comes in.
Newman is not only a capable scorer (18.2 ppg), but also a very slick ballhandler. Forbes Road averages fewer than 12 turnovers per game.
The other advantage the Cardinals have is size inside -- Elk County Catholic's tallest player is 6-4 and its top three scorers are 6-0 or under.
That should be to Henry's liking and should benefit the driving ability of senior forward Trent Black (12.0 ppg).
"He's going to be very big in this game," Gelvin said of Henry. "We match up very well with them size-wise. I definitely think we can score on the inside. They're going to try and full-court press us and we need to keep our turnovers down and rebound and we should be in the game."
Elk County Catholic is led in scoring by senior forward Rob Wortman at 15.8 per game and no other Crusader averages in double figures. Their big advantage seems to be depth, as seven players score between 3.5 and 7.9 points.
Notes: Newman has 1,296 career points and needs 33 more to move into second place (he is currently fifth) on the all-time boys scoring list at Forbes Road ... Of the 2 1/2-hour trip, Gelvin said: "The kids are looking forward to it. We're leaving plenty early and we'll stop to eat on the way." ... Gelvin said defensively, ECC is comparable to Southern Fulton and Tussey, but offensively both teams are a little better.
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Joel Rineer may be reached at 262-4819 or jrineer@publicopinionnews.com.
Forbes Road Cardinals vs. (9-2) Elk County Catholic Crusaders ... Friday, 6:30 p.m. at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium ... PIAA Class A first-round game.
Teams: The Cardinals are 19-6 and beat Shade 65-54 in a District 5 third-place game ... The Crusaders are 23-5 and dropped a 49-45 decision to DuBois Central Catholic in the District 9 title game.
Starting lineups: Forbes Road -- Jesse Newman (sr., G, 6-1, 18.2 points per game); Tanner Henry (jr., C, 6-3, 14.2 ppg); Trent Black (sr., F, 5-10, 12.0 ppg); Dylan Gelvin (sr., G, 6-0, 3.8 ppg); Andrew King (sr., F, 6-0, 3.6 ppg).
Elk C.C. -- Rob Wortman (sr., F, 6-0, 15.8 ppg); Joe Jacob (sr., F, 6-0, 7.9 ppg); Kyle Detsch (sr., G, 5-10, 5.7 ppg); Tyler Healy (sr., F, 6-4, 4.5 ppg); Darren Simons (jr., F, 6-2, 4.5 ppg).
P.O. pick: Crusaders by 2.
