Somerset wins OT thriller over Shanksville-Stonycreek in Pine Grill Roundball Classic

SOMERSET — Junior guard Dominic Heiple poured in a game-high 35 points, including six in overtime to lift Somerset over Shanksville-Stonycreek 72-65 in the nightcap of the 12th Pine Grill Roundball Classic on Friday.

"It was a great game, said Somerset first-year head coach Chris Zanoni. "Shanksville played very hard. Our team showed a lot of maturity for having younger players come in. We played smart after the first half. We had key players in foul trouble. Our guards are going to be our strength. We've got a quick, aggressive team."

Somerset raced out to an 11-0 advantage, before Shanksville scored with 2:50 left in the first quarter. The Golden Eagles led 18-9 after one.

The Vikings opened the second on a 14-0 burst to take a 23-18 lead, before Heiple made 1-of-2 at the line with 4:38 to go.

Tournament slate of action High school basketball set to tip off across Somerset County

Shanksville took a 32-27 lead into the locker room, but it could have been more if it weren't for missed free throws and layups.

"We were on our heels the entire first half," Shanksville coach Matt Long said. "We have a decent amount of game experience, but these guys are still young. We settled in but we went 11-of-22 at the line and missed countless bunnies."

Shanksville junior Braxton Faidley netted 11 of his team-high 30 points in the third quarter to give the Vikings a narrow 48-46 lead after three.

Somerset began the fourth on a 8-2 spurt to regain the lead. Faidley stroked a three with 1:23 left to give Shanksville a 59-58 advantage. However, Cole Parry, who tallied 15 points in the game, made 1-of-2 at the line to even the score with 1:03 remaining.

Shanksville played for the last shot. Senior Christian Musser, who dropped 14 points, had a great look, but the shot rimmed out.

After Musser and Somerset's Ben Bowers exchanged threes, the 2-time defending tournament champion Golden Eagles controlled the overtime session to punch their ticket to the title game against North Star for the third straight year.

"What an opening night for the Pine Grill (tournament)," Zanoni said. "We know what to expect from them (North Star) and they know what to expect from us. It is going to be a great championship game."

Balanced attack propels North Star over Everett

North Star junior Ethan Smith provided 13 points and eight rebounds to guide new-look North Star past Everett 47-41.

"I thought we played well," North Star coach Randy Schrock said. "Down the stretch, you've got to learn to close out games and get clutch buckets. Overall, I'll take the win. It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win."

North Star trailed 2-0, but never again. The Cougars held a slim 17-15 lead after one quarter and stretched it to 29-19 at the break behind a stingy defensive effort.

The Cougars held a 40-26 advantage after three, but struggled in the fourth, being outscored 15-7 in the final frame.

Senior Brady Weimer contributed 11 points. Andy Retassie added nine points, five assists and four steals for North Star.

North Star lost two heartbreakers to Somerset in the past two title games. The Cougars will look to turn the tides at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

"These seniors know this is their last shot," Schrock said. "We've been close two years in a row. I don't think I need to give them any kind of motivational speech. We are focused and I'm looking forward to it."

Boys basketball

Sap City Shootout

Turkeyfoot 71, Meyersdale 39: In Meyersdale, Bryce Nicholson dropped 28 points to go along with 13 steals to vault the Rams past the Red Raiders.

Daniel Younkin contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Zack Ryan added 11 points and 11 boards for Turkeyfoot.

Spencer Whitfield led Meyersdale with 10 points.

Turkeyfoot meets Forbes Road at 5:30 p.m.

Forbes Road 49, Salisbury-Elk Lick 46: Lance Jones delivered 27 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Elks in a narrow setback.

Drake Sellers racked up 14 points and 11 rebounds for Salisbury.

The Elks will take on the Red Raiders at 6:45 p.m.

Ron Davidson Roundball Classic

In Ebensburg, Conemaugh Township fell to tournament host Central Cambria 59-54 in the nightcap of the tournament.

No stats were provided.

Berlin Brothersvalley 59, Richland 47: Pace Prosser poured in 39 points, including four 3-pointers to lead the Mountaineers past the Rams in non-conference action.

Craig Jarvis and Mac Foor combined for 10 points.

Girls basketball

WAABA Tournament

Windber 34, Everett 25: Kaylie Gaye recorded a game-high 13 points to lift the Ramblers over the Warriors.

Mariah Andrews added 10 points for the Ramblers.

Windber will meet Bishop McCort at 7:30 p.m. in the title game.

Art Burkett Memorial Tournament

Central Cambria 68, Somerset 22: In Portage, Eve Housley scored a team-high 13 points for the Golden Eagles in a setback to the Red Devils.

King of the Jungle Tournament

Chestnut Ridge 40, Conemaugh Township 26: Ava Byer and Katie Wiley each had eight points for Conemaugh Township in a setback to the tournament host.

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This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset wins wild 1 to open high school basketball season