Ian Gilmartin had no problem maintaining the course Anthony Macario is trying to set for the Wyoming Area boys basketball team.
With Macario, the head coach, in quarantine, Gilmartin guided the Warriors through the completion of preseason preparations and in a 58-27, Opening Night rout of host Lackawanna Trail Dec. 10
Macario returned the next day and the Warriors split their next two games to head into Saturday with a 2-1, non-league record.
Dane Schutter led the Warriors on the court with 24 points in the opener. Gilmartin led from the sideline, comfortable in the knowledge that he was carrying out Macario’s plans for the team.
“I kind of know what he’s thinking and he kind of knows what I’m thinking,” Gilmartin said.
On days when they are not working together directly with the Wyoming Area basketball team, Gilmartin said he is often on the phone or in a text conversation with Macario about the sport and the team.
“I’ve been an assistant of Anthony’s for nine years, going back to Pittston Area for seventh and eighth game,” Gilmartin said of the fourth-year head coach. “I’ve known him for almost 30, going back to grade school.
“Our dads coached us in grade school, so we have a lot of experience and time together.”
In their early days of basketball together, the fathers’ roles were similar with Bill Gilmartin assisting the late Mike Macario.
“There wasn’t really any extra work in making any kind of decisions because we’re usually on the same page on that stuff,” Gilmartin said of the assignment of running the team for a night. “We talk extensively. Even on off days, we talk on the phone or have text conversations going, figuring out what we’re going to do.”
Schutter carried out those plans with 20 points in the first half. He had seven to help make it 13-4 after one quarter, then 13 more to build the advantage to 34-13 at halftime.
Matt Little and Evan Melberger each added eight points while Tyler Sciandra and Brady Noone had six each.
Melberger had six in the third quarter when the lead grew to 50-21.
Riverside 50, Wyoming Area 28
Defending Lackawanna League Division 3 and District 2 Class 3A champion Riverside limited visiting Wyoming Area to seven second-half points Monday to pull away for the victory.
The Vikings led 26-21 at halftime. They built the lead to 38-26 and put the game away with a 12-2 fourth quarter.
Dane Schutter led the Warriors with 10 points.
Wyoming Area 50, Susquehanna 32
Dane Schutter scored 20 points and Wyoming Area held host Susquehanna without a field goal in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game.
Schutter had seven points while the Warriors were taking a 13-2 lead after one quarter.
Evan Melberger had 12 points, including 10 in the second half. Matt Little chipped in with nine.
