Central York boys hold off New Oxford for win
New Oxford gave defending YAIAA Division I champ Central York all it could handle on Tuesday evening at Central York High School.
The Colonials' John Wessel scored a game-high 23 points, but two free throws from the Panthers' Tommy O'Neill sealed the deal in a 52-49 Central York win.
A wild night of YAIAA boys' basketball also saw York Suburban hand Dover its first division loss of the season, 50-47. And South Western edged Dallastown, 59-58, knotting the Wildcats with Spring Grove at two losses apiece after the Rockets fell to unbeaten Northeastern.
"(New Oxford) is a very good team," Central York coach Kevin Schieler said. "I know everybody is aware of it now, but I think I was one of the few who said it in the preseason. They are going to be a team that competes in our division this year."
New Oxford (5-4, 2-3 Division I) outscored the Panthers in the final eight minutes, including all five Jordin Brown's points in the game. But Central York (5-4, 3-2) managed to hold on and move above .500 for the first time since winning its season opener against Solanco.
"It was nice to figure out how to win one of these tight games," said Schieler, whose team has dropped a two-point decision to Lancaster Catholic and a six-point decision to Dallastown. "Hopefully, we can build on this experience."
Garrett Markey led Central York with 14 points while Courtney Batts added 12 points. Batts scored eight of his points in the opening half as Central built a four-point lead.
New Oxford trailed by six points heading into the final quarter, but fought back to within a point in the final minute. The Colonials had two possessions in that span, but Central York's defense managed to force turnovers on both occasions.