Kehler on Hoops: METHACTON DEFEATS PERKIOMEN VALLEY 54-36
Written by: Dell Jackson on February 3, 2022
METHACTON DEFEATS PERKIOMEN VALLEY 54-36
In a contest between the two top teams in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division, Methacton capitalized on a late third quarter surge to defeat visiting Perkiomen Valley 54-36. It was the second Methacton victory this season over Perkiomen Valley.
Perkiomen Valley, now 14-6, was at a height disadvantage in this game, with no player much over six feet tall. However, their deliberate style of play has made them a formidable team this season, and they entered this contest having won five of their pervious six games. Methacton came into the game with an 18-1 record and a veteran team led by seniors Cole Hargrove and Brett Byrne, both of whom had played on that terrific undefeated Methacton team that three years ago had its season prematurely ended due to the coronavirus. Coming into this afternoon’s game, Methacton was the top team in the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Liberty Division, and Perkiomen Valley was ranked second.
The game was close in the first half, and the tempo favored Perkiomen Valley. However, Methacton’s 2-3 zone defense, anchored by the 6′ 8″ Hargrove, gave the visitors a lot of trouble. Julian Sadler, a well regarded 6′ Perkiomen Valley sophomore, was the only player on his team to make much offensive headway in the first half. Methacton led at halftime 21-13, paced by five points each by 6′ 1″ Byrne and Colin Meyer.
Perkiomen Valley quickly closed the gap at the beginning of the third quarter, drawing within three points of Methacton at 29-26 on a hoop by Sadler. The momentum was with Perkiomen Valley, but Methacton launched an 11-0 run that sealed the win, on two consecutive three pointers by 6′ sophomore Anthony Daddazio, a hoop inside by Hargrove, and a three pointer by Hargrove. That made it 40-26, Methacton, and Perkiomen Valley couldn’t recover. Significantly, Methacton out-rebounded Perkiomen Valley eight to three in the third quarter.
Methacton scoring: Cole Hargrove 14, Brett Byrne 9, Anthony Daddazio 9, Colin Meyer 9, Cam Chilson 6, Matt Christian 5, unidentified player 2.
Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops
