Red Raiders avenge early-season loss to Latrobe
Rob Burchianti
Talking about turning the tables.
Isaac Ellsworth scored 26 points as Uniontown reversed its worst loss of the season with a convincing 65-57 victory at Latrobe, running its Section 1-5A winning streak to four in boys basketball play Tuesday night.
The win moved the Red Raiders (5-4, 9-7) into a three-way tie for third place with Penn-Trafford and McKeesport. Gateway, which fought off Laurel Highlands on Tuesday, sits in first place at 8-1 with Franklin Regional second at 7-2.
The Wildcats (3-6, 5-10) rolled to an 82-43 win at Uniontown on Dec. 16 when the Red Raiders were in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Since then, Uniontown as gone 6-2 and worked its way into the thick of the section race.
“So proud of my entire team,” Red Raiders coach Rob Kezmarsky said. “To win a game like that on Latrobe’s court is so rewarding.”
Uniontown was coming off an 83-77 overtime loss at Belle Vernon a day earlier before their first meeting with the Wildcats.
Things were much different in the rematch.
The Red Raiders raced to a 16-10 lead in the first quarter and used a 24-14 advantage in the second to take a commanding 40-24 halftime lead.
Uniontown was ahead 52-36 after three and stayed in control the rest of the way.
Defense was key, according to Kezmarsky.
“We played man-to-man the entire night, and this time we won the game on the boards,” Kezmarsky said.
Ellsworth, who is 31 points away from 1,000 for his career, made a pair of 3-pointers and converted 10 of 12 free throws, including seven in a row down the stretch.
Nolan Baker followed with two treys and 13 points and Payden Fitzgerald added two 3-pointers and 12 points.
“We played all aspects of the game well,” Kezmarsky said. “We rebounded, shot well and controlled the ball. Nolan helped Payden and (Anthony) Sheffey on the boards.”
Kezmarsky also lauded Chase White, who contributed six points.
“Chase played his best game of the year,” Kezmarsky said. “Cam Dugan also had a great all-around game.”
Rob Young led Latrobe with 25 points and Ian Decerb had 16.
Unionown was scheduled to host Baldwin in a non-section game Wednesday night before returning to section play at Penn-Trafford on Friday.