Monessen survives, wins at Charleroi
By Bill Hughes
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
CHARLEROI – In an ending fitting of a rivalry game, Monessen made a late stop to defeat cross-river foe Charleroi Tuesday night in boys basketball action, 56-54.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we will take the win,” said Monessen coach Dan Bosnic. “We have a lot of room for improvement, and we will get better.”
Charleroi coach Joe Greer spoke about his team’s loss, the Cougars’ third by five points or less in as many games this season.
“We fought so hard and the kids are buying in to how we want to play,” he said. “We are meshing kids together, some who have varsity experience and some who are getting it.
“Once we get the first (win), the confidence will come.”
Down 55-51 with under 10 seconds to go, Charleroi’s Bryce Large drained a three-pointer and was fouled to cut the Monessen (1-0) lead to one with seven seconds to go.
However, Large missed the free throw, and Monessen’s Rodney Johnson grabbed the rebound with five seconds to go.
He made the first foul shot but missed the second. Charleroi got the rebound and pushed the ball up the floor, and Jackson Keranko attempted a game-winning three from the right wing but Monessen’s Darryl Ray blocked the shot and time ran out.
“Darryl played well tonight and made plays in different aspects of the game,” Bosnic said.
Charleroi controlled the first quarter and led 14-2 when Johnson hit a three for Monessen to make the score 14-5 heading into the second.
Monessen outscored Charleroi 22-11 in the second quarter to take a 27-25 lead at the half.
Monessen took a 45-41 lead into the fourth, and although Monessen led the entire fourth quarter, Charleroi had its chances.
The game was marred with sloppy play as the teams combined for almost 60 turnovers, and neither team was good from the free-throw line as Monessen made three-of-18 attempts while Charleroi hit eight-of-19 attempts.
“We were lucky to win this one after having 34 turnovers and shooting so poorly at the line,” Bosnic said. “We will have to play much better against Yough on Saturday.”
They come at you and play aggressive,” Greer said of Monessen. “We are improving though, and we will continue to do so.”
Lorenzo Gardner led Monessen with 18 points while Johnson had 12. Bryce Large (q7), Jacob Chambers (11), and Brock Henderson (11) hit double figures for Charleroi, who plays at Jefferson-Morgan Monday.