Idling in one of Central Dauphin High School’s spacious hallways for several moments before wandering back into the gym to do some scouting, Vince Rogers found a few things to like about the season-opening victory his athletic Susquehanna Twp. Indians had just tucked away.
The biggie?
“Everyone contributed,” Rogers said. “Everybody.”
Several hours later — after comfortably trimming Berks Catholic — Central Dauphin’s Jay Crosier offered similar thoughts about his sharp-shooting Rams’ 55-40 triumph.
Fueled by 20 points from 6-6 senior wing Jonas Page and a monster effort off the bench from 6-6 junior transfer Savalas Pope (15 points, 9 rebounds), Susquehanna Twp. wheeled past Steel-High 69-58 in the opening game of the Hoffman Ford Tip-Off Tournament Friday night at CD.
Takhi Turner checked in with 11 points and Joe Marshall tacked on 10 for the Indians, who will square off against CD in tonight’s final.
Tramayne Hawthorne’s pesky Rollers picked up 19 points and 15 rebounds from 6-3 senior Mark Perry, while Florida transfer Dee’quan Fleming added 19 points and eight boards.
And while Steel-High trailed by just five (49-44) with 6:51 to play after Rameik James bagged the second of his 3-balls, the Indians responded with the last of Page’s four treys and a slicing hoop in transition from freshman Nehemiah “Bud” Mack (9 assists) to reclaim a double-digit lead.
Gabe Mack closed things out, calmly knocking down all eight of his free-throw attempts in the final 75 seconds for a Susquehanna club that’s grown significantly since last year’s 9-15 struggle.
“We’re more experienced,” Rogers said. “We were poised out there on the court. Down the stretch, we kept our heads.”
So did CD.
Crosier’s smallish Rams actually grabbed control much earlier, parlaying a 27-5 burst that bridged halftime to turn a one-point game (13-12) into a one-sided affair (38-17) that let CD coast to the finish line. Brian Laird netted 15 during that decisive stretch, while Manny Gonzalez chipped in seven.
Laird finished with a game-high 22 points and Matt Lapkowicz added 14 for the Rams, who played without 6-4 senior Zayd Issah. Issah was on a college football recruiting visit.
Laird and Lapkowicz each buried four treys.
“When Brian gets going, he gets going,” remarked Crosier, who lauded Lapkowicz, Ryan Beaver and Brandon LaVia for their efforts against the Saints. “He’s as good a scorer as I’ve had here other than Desi Washington. Desi was a little more get-to-the basket-get-fouled, too.”
Chris Warren rang up 16 points for Berks Catholic.
“Good defensive performance,” said Crosier, who started just two players over 6-0. “Honestly, being undersized like we are, we gave up six put-back points in the first half. ... Probably 12 for the game.
“That’s gonna be the key to tomorrow,” added Crosier, already peeking ahead to the Hoffman final. “If we can’t keep Susquehanna off the glass, we’re gonna have a long night.”
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