Jim Thorpe downs Panther Valley

It’s been up-and-down, in-and-out for Jim Thorpe this winter.

There’s been plenty of woes, but also plenty of heart and drive.

With the boys basketball season coming to a close, the Olympians finally struck gold Friday night.

And it couldn’t have come at a better time — Senior Night against a rival.

At times the deck seemed stacked against Jim Thorpe, as it had lost seven games by four points or less. But against Panther Valley, it found a way not to make it close.

Using the standout play of Adam Lauer, Chris Condly, David Richards, Caiden Hurley and Jared Marykwas, Thorpe slowly built a lead against the Panthers. Then like a seasoned prize fighter used a one-two combination, the Olympians floored PV with a 51-39 Schuylkill League defeat.

“It sure feels good for a change,” said Thorpe head coach Jason McElmoyle. “To beat a quality team like Panther Valley, who is so well-coached, says a lot for our kids. They just kept battling throughout the season. We’ve had our share of close losses.”

Condly fired in a game-high 18 points, while Lauer — a senior — capped off his final home appearance with 10 points and five rebounds. Marykwas came off the bench to collar nine rebounds and nine points, while Richards and Hurley caused fits for the Panthers on the defensive side.

“Our defense has always been very good this year,” McElmoyle said. “(Tonight) we hit some shots, made some free throws and took care of the ball when we had to.”

Foul shooting proved to be the demise of the Panthers, who went just 9-for-25 from the charity stripe. That was a back-breaker for PV, who slipped to 11-9 overall and 4-8 in the league, while Thorpe improved to 6-14 and 4-8.

Panther Valley’s swoon didn’t come until the second half. It rallied to within 16-14 to open the second quarter when Erick Marchorro scored two of his 11 points, but the home club would hang on for a 26-20 lead thanks to a pair of foul shots by Condly.

Then in the third quarter, Thorpe watched Panther Valley struggle from the field (1-for-9) and posted a 15-4 runoff to take a commanding 41-24 lead. Condly keyed the rally with seven points, while Marykwas had four and Lauer buried a triple.

“I really liked our shot selection,” said McElmoyle. “We were poised, smart and did all the right things. Condly and Hurley did a fantastic (defensive) job on Marchorro and (Brandon) Stilitino.”

Thorpe put the dagger into Panther Valley at the start of the final quarter when Richards and Lauer each sank buckets and Marykwas finished off a three-point play that sprung the Olympians to a commanding 48-28 advantage.

That 20-point bulge assured Thorpe there wasn’t going to be another close loss, and gave the Olympian seniors a fond adieu.

BY THE NUMBERS … Neither team caught fore from the field. PV finished 15-of-48, while Thorpe ended 17-of-50. The Olympians had the edge in rebounding, 40-33.

RISING STOCK … Panther Valley senior Blake White had a solid night, pouring in nine points while collecting 10 rebounds.

SWEET SWEEP … Thorpe won the JV contest 52-47 behind 26 points from Sonney Ivey. Tanner Gilliar chipped in with 11.

PANTHER VALLEY

Marchorro 4-2-4-11, Gutierrez 0-4-6-4, Stilitino 3-0-4-8, Krapf 1-0-0-3, Pascoe 1-0-0-2, Eidle 0-0-2-0, Roig 1-0-0-2, Hoben 0-0-0-0, Roth 0-0-0-0, White 3-3-9-9. Juracka 0-0-0-0, Turner 0-0-0-0, Hood 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 13-9-25-39.

JIM THORPE

Condly 5-6-7-18, Richards 2-0-0-4, Hurley 3-0-2-7, Hendricks 0-0-0-0, Ivey 0-0-0-0, Adames 1-0-0-3, Lauer 4-0-0-10, McHugh 0-0-0-0, Marykwas 3-3-5-9, Herron 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-9-14-51.

Panther Valley 8 12 4 15 - 39

Jim Thorpe 10 16 15 10 - 51

Three-pointers: Panther Valley - Stilitino 2, Marchorro 1, Krapf 1; Jim Thorpe - Condly 2, Lauer 2, Adames 1, Hurley 1.