EXETER – Wyoming Area solved its offensive problems with its defense.
A second-half switch to a full-court zone press defense shook the Warriors out of an offensive drought and allowed them to protect their perfect record with a 47-38 victory Friday over visiting Mountain View.
Of the 42 boys basketball teams in District 2, only Wyoming Area and Berwick are undefeated as teams move into the stretch of the season where they play league games almost exclusively.
“When we decided to make the adjustment, we executed the adjustment,” Wyoming Area coach Pete Moses said. “That’s important moving forward.”
Tony Saitta hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter, but then Wyoming Area managed just three points in the second quarter.
When Mountain View scored four points in the first 41 seconds of the second half, the winless Eagles had their upset hopes soaring with a 22-18 lead.
Soon after, the Warriors went with the zone pressure, which fueled a 10-point streak that put them ahead to stay.
“We didn’t panic,” Moses said. “We knew we had the full-court press to go to when we were ready.
“After that, we pretty much controlled the tempo of the game.”
The change of pace was one of the most important results of the pressure.
Mountain View outscored Wyoming Area, 7-3, in the second quarter to get within, 18-17, at halftime.
“They kind of won the tempo battle on us in the second quarter,” Moses said.
Anthony Nardell’s back-court steal set up Kyre Zielinski’s layup in the middle of the streak, putting Wyoming Area ahead to stay, 24-22.
Sam Greenfield, who had seven points in the third quarter, had the last four points in the streak.
The Warriors took a 34-28 lead into the fourth quarter.
Mountain View got within five three times, but Mikey Bonita answered twice and Matt Wright once to keep Wyoming Area in command.
“You have Saitta knock down those three 3s in the first quarter, then you have Mikey Bonita knock down (four) foul shots in the last quarter,” Moses said. “Different guys are giving us things at different times and I’m OK with that.”
Wyoming Area hit just enough foul shots in the fourth quarter to hold on, going 9-for-16, led by Bonita’s 4-for-6 and Nardell’s 3-for-4.
Saitta finished with a game-high 12 points. Nardell and Greenfield had nine each.
Kyle Stresh and Matt Lavin had 11 points each for Wyoming Area while Mike Schermerhorn had 10.
Wyoming Area 46
Western Wayne 32
Tony Saitta scored 12 points and Wyoming Area took command early in Wednesday’s non-league win at Western Wayne.
The Warriors led 13-3 after one quarter and 26-13 at halftime.
Saitta hit three 3-pointers. Anthony Nardell added two 3-pointers while joining Matt Wright with eight points each.
The week ahead
WVC play continues Wednesday.
Wyoming Area is at Lake-Lehman Wednesday and home against Wyoming Seminary Friday in Division 2-3 crossover games.
Pittston Area is at Coughlin Wednesday and Dallas Friday in Division 1 games.
