Siegel’s boys remained unbeaten in District 7-AAA play as they defeated Blackman for a season sweep in a back-and-forth 47-44 home victory on Tuesday night.
The game was close throughout as the teams traded one-point leads in the second quarter before Blackman had a two point lead, 23-21, at halftime.
The second half featured tough defense, battling on the boards and free throws.
After Siegel’s Zion Swader missed a pair of free throws near the end of the first half, the Stars made seven in a row, including four late by seniors Swader and Matthew Schneider to take the victory.
“We made the plays to win. Our pressure helped us with our post defense,” Siegel coach Dyron Birdwell said. “A part of our game is knocking down free throws. We are confident we can knock them down, and we practice them every day. We call it church and library time.”
The game was knotted at 31-31 heading into the final eight minutes. A three-point play by Siegel’s Vonterrius Reed made it 39-36. Blackman cut it to one at 41-40 before Siegel made key free throws down the stretch.
“We turned the ball over 20 times and missed key free throws,” Blackman coach Barry Wortman said. “It was two teams butting heads in a hard-fought District 7 game. Siegel has a great team and they are well coached, well prepared, and I have a lot of respect for them.”
Schneider of Siegel led all scorers with 19 points, while Jaylan Wetzel added 12 for the Stars. Blackman had three in double figures, led by Dontae Stringer with 13, and Josh Alexander and Mark Cooper with 10 apiece.
BOX SCORE
Blackman (44): Dontae Stringer 13, Josh Alexander 10, Mark Cooper 10, Jabahri Martin 8, Kevarius Martin 3
Siegel (47): Matthew Schneider 19, Jaylan Wetzel 12, Zion Swader 6, Martise Jackson 4, Isiah Lightsy 3, Vonterrius Reed 3
GIRLS
Blackman 76, Siegel 23
Blackman dominated the game from the outset, scoring the first 45 points before Siegel hit a pair of free throws and later a three-point basket to make it 54-5 at halftime.
Vanderbilt signee Iyana Moore came out hot, scoring all of her 16 of her points in the first quarter as she hit four shots from the perimeter. Blackman hit nine free throws in the first half.
“We came out tonight with a lot of energy, and I thought we played well together,” Blackman coach Jennifer Grandstaff said. “When you are shooting the ball well, everything is easy.”
Siegel was led by Azariah Abell as she scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half, all from the perimeter.
“When they are pressuring us, we cannot handle the pressure and we have to learn how to handle the pressure,” Siegel coach Shawn Middleton said.
BOX SCORE
Blackman (76): Iyana Moore 16, Kaelyn Flowers 15, Jheliae Thomas 12, Emily Monson 11, Dan’ Angela Wilson 6, Victoria Page 3, Kaylee Odom 3, Lauren Smith 2, Gracie Hamby 2, Kayla Davis 1.
Siegel (23): Azariah Abell 15, Erin Vanhook 3, Carrington Creasy 2, Secret Grissom 2, Jasmine Sneed 1.
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