Blue Raiders knock off Indians

Playing like a contender and with a purpose, the Tamaqua boys’ basketball team fueled up the tank early, tried coasting to the finish line, then had to stave off a late flurry from visiting Lehighton to hang on for a 61-53 Schuylkill League victory.

A near-packed house attended a rare varsity doubleheader for both the girls and boys teams on Friday.

The night was dedicated to Tamaqua High School student Carson Barron, who is battling osteosarcoma (bone) cancer. It proved inspirational for the Blue Raiders early when they raced off impressively and led 50-27 late in the third quarter.

The Indians turned it around completely over the final eight minutes, however, and were within striking but could never quite make it all the way back.

“We got too complacent,” said Tamaqua coach Jimmy Barron. “We acted like it was in the bag, but Lehighton is a quality team and they have pride, and they showed it.”

Where Tamaqua was excelling as it built its lead was off the glass. A trio of players combined to pound the boards as Thad Zuber led the way with 15, and the Gregoire brothers — Lucas and Greg — combined for 14.

“Everyone who played tonight contributed,” said Barron.

Surely Lucas Gregoire was flying high with a 27-point career high scoring night. Toss in Zuber’s 12, Braydon Knoblauch’s eight and Mike Botensky’s seven and that balance was more than enough to offset what the Indians were offing.

“They’re a pretty good outfit,” said Lehighton coach Trevor Miller. “There were a few times when we did get going and I thought we could catch them. We kept battling. We couldn’t get a big shot to fall late, and that kind of hurt us, too.”

Lehighton’s firepower was ignited by the play of Zach Hunsicker, who nailed six triples for his 18 points. In fact, Hunsicker’s scoring spree was mostly in the final eight minutes when he drained five of his treys. Caine Carpenter figured into the output with 13 and TaQuan Bradley-Chambers scored eight before fouling out.

“Give Hunsicker a look and he can put it in,” said Barron. “You can’t give him a good look and that’s what he was getting. I thought we left him get free a few times.”

The opening quarter was close before Tamaqua opened up some breathing in the second. The Raiders used a 12-2 run with Lucas Gregoire scoring half of those points as his team grabbed a 31-23 lead at the break.

That rally carried right into the third quarter. Zuber quickly answered the bell scoring six unanswered points and Lucas Gregoire did likewise in the middle of the period. Just before the end of the quarter, Tamaqua had another mini-rally when Knoblauch sank a bucket, Lucas Gregoire dumped in three more points, and Botensky added a deuce.

Lehighton began to turn things around in the final minute of the third when Bradley-Chambers picked up a pair of steals for baskets. The Indians added to that momentum when Bradley-Chambers and Carpenter drained four straight fouls. The last two made it 52-44 with 3:39 to play.

But following a Barron time out, Lucas Gregoire posted back-to-back buckets to seal the victory.

SHOOING FROM THE HIP … A combined total of 108 shots were fired up. Tamaqua went 22-for-50 and Lehighton 18-for-58.

GLASS CLEANING … Zuber was absolutely impressive with his rebounding. At times he looked head and shoulders over several 6-5 players inside. Bradley-Chambers was also impressive as he collared 11 rebounds to lead his team. Greg Venuto and Hunsicker each had seven rebounds.

LEHIGHTON

Hunsicker 6-0-0-18, Carpenter 4-5-6-13, Bradley-Chambers 3-2-2-8, Venuto 3-0-0-7, Heery 1-0-0-3, Howland 0-2-2-2, Schatz 1-0-0-2, Strauss 0-0-0-0. Totals 18-9-10-53.

TAMAQUA

L. Gregoire 11-5-8-27, Zuber 4-4-8-12, Knoblauch 3-2-2-8, Bonetsky 3-0-3-7, G. Gregoire 0-3-4-3, Rother 0-2-2-2, Stanche 1-0-1-2. TOTALS: 22-16-28-61.

Lehighton 12 11 8 22 – 53

Tamaqua 17 14 19 11 - 61

Three-pointers: L - Hunsicker 6, Venuto 1, Heery 1. T - Bonetsky 1.