Bishop Guilfoyle’s strong start too much for Spunky young Eagles team

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: December 5, 2023

Photo by Jeff Shomo
By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – The youthful Bald Eagle Area’s boys basketball team hosted a veteran – laden Bishop Guilfoyle team Tuesday in the Eagles’ home opener in its first Laurel Mountain contest.

Offensively, the Marauders started out fast and kept its distance, despite some strong runs by the Eagles during the contest. The Eagles were able to cut into the lead in the second and third quarter.

But When the final buzzer sounded, Bald Eagle fell 73-36 to Bishop Guilfoyle.

Bald Eagle Area’s was led offensively Dru Smith and Cam Watkins who finished with a 12-point and an 11-point effort, respectively. Smith finished with two triples.

Bishop Guilfoyle was led by the inside presence of Danny Haigh. Haigh muscled his way for 17 while teammate Tyson Lestondi chipped in 15.

Rounding out the double-digit scoring was Trevor Rehm who netted 10.

“We have a brand new team out here. We have two returning letter winners. one of them is out tonight. He was our ball handler,” said Bald Eagle Area’s coach Kris Glunt. “I was very very pleased with our effort. we battled the second and third quarter and I think we were dead even. We had some anxiety or nerves to start. things got looser in the fourth. I was tremendously of our efforts. I wish we could but I was proud of a lot of things we done. I think we made it difficult for them for a while.”

Early on in the first, the opening period belonged to Bishop Guilfoyle as they started off strong, posting a 19-4 advantage.

Despite being down by 15 going into the second, the Eagles posted 14 in the period.

Leading the charge was Watkins who scored nine in the stanza, going into the intermission trailing by 18.

Bald Eagle took control of the final couple minutes, making some clutch shots.

Bald Eagle continued to move even closer in the third.

After an early run by the visitors, the Eagles battled back, thanks to two clutch triples by Smith.

Going into the final stanza, Bald Eagle had scratched its way back into the contest, getting it to under a 50-35 contest.

But the Marauders finished the way they started in the first period, creating turnovers, and finishing things in transition.

Bishop Guilfoyle 73, Bald Eagle Area 36

BG 19 18 17 19 – 73

BEA 4 14 16 2 – 36

Scoring

Bishop Guilfoyle – Jake Kissel 3 0-0 7, Danny Haigh 6 3-4 17, Tyson Lestochi 6 1-1 15, Trevor Rehm 4 0-2 10, Troy Rugger 2 0-0 5, Nick Foor 1 0-0 2, Hamilton Gates 3 0-0 6, Taurean Consiglia 2 3-4 7, Jake Marasco 1 0-0 2, Totals 29 7-11 73.

Bald Eagle Area – Luke Husband 0 1-2 1, Dru Smith 3 4-6 12, Drew Bucha 0 1-2 1, Wyatt Spackman 1 1-2 3, Gavin Brooks 2 1-2 5, Cam Watkins 4 3-8 11, Kane Wolf 1 1-5 4. Totals 11 12-28 36.

Three-point shots: Bishop Guilfoyle Rugger, Haigh 2, Lastochi 2, Kissel. Bald Eagle Area – Smith 2, Wolf.