McCaskey 65 Warwick 60: Game wrap

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 18, 2019

McCaskey 65 Warwick 60
Dec. 18, 2019

McCaskey used the three-ball to take command in the fourth, and held on to the lead throughout the game. The Tornado ran out – literally – tom a 10-0 run, putting Warwick in the “trying to get over the hunt” mode for the entire game. McCaskey moves to 3-0 in LL play and Warwick drops into a tie with Etown at 2-1 in Section 2.

The first run: a jumper by Carter Gingrich, layup by Elijah Terry, 5’10’ senior, drive by Makai Ortiz – Grey and 2 fouls shots by Terry, as the Tornado looked more like the Tornadoes with so many getting involved. Warwick weathered the early storm 🙂 and closed to 14-11 on a three-ball by Chase Yarberough, 6’2” senior. The multi-talented guard, E Terry, scored the last basket of the quarter to end it at 16-11.

There were a few spectacular plays in the second period. The first one occurred when Samir Gordon, 6’2” jn, scored on a tip rebound to put the Tornado up 22-13. Later in the quarter, Caleb Smitz, 6’3” jn, scored on a dime dropped by Kai Cipalla of Warwick. Finally, on my notes, I have a “spinny” layup by Isaiah Thomas for McCaskey towards the end of the half. The half ended 29-24 McCaskey. Stats can be deceiving – try this one: Warwick had 20 rebounds at the half. Most of these at the offensive end, but the Warriors had trouble converting their advantage on the boards for most of the half.

There were no runs at all in the third. Every time it appeared that Warwick would gets its mojo back, Terry would stem the run. For example at the 4:40 mark, he drove in and flipped the shot over his head for a bucket. In the next possession, he scored off a steal. Finally, after Warwick would get the only “run” of the third on back-to- back buckets by Cipalla, Terry gets fouled and makes one of 2 from the line. Warwick cut the lead to 40-38 on another Cipalla drive only to see a BIG 3 ball by Gingrich. The quarter ended at 43-38.

McCaskey would post a comfortable lead on three balls by Gingrich and Isaiah Thomas (2), the last of them going the Tornado a 56-42 lead about halfway thru the quarter. The Warriors would make one last run. Warwick used some traps and forced some turnovers which they converted into easy baskets. Cipalla hit a three at the 1:52 mark to get the score 58-52. McCaskey would nail 4 foul shots in a row. Game over? Not quite yet. Joey McCracken pops a three followed up by a drive- 62-58 MCCaskey with less than 35 ticks left. McCaskey missed on a one and one but Warwick could not convert. Final 65-60.

Unofficial Stats:
Rebounds: McCaskey 22 Warwick 36
Turnovers: McCaskey 13, Warwick 11
Blocks: McCaskey 2 , Warwick 1

Points
McCaskey: Elijah Terry 22, Isiah Thomas 16, Makai Ortiz-Gray 11, Carter Gingrich 11
Warwick: Joey McCracken 16, Kai Cipalla 15, Caleb Schmitz 10

Sidelines…LLhoops sat in the press box tonight…some access issues resulting in few periscopes via twitter,,,Andy Herr manned the scores page on LLhoops.con main page. ….Fans from both sides were into the game..several chants back and forth 🙂 …The game, at times, was fast paced with a lot of action..Both coaches were working hard trying to get their points across to the refs. To the refs benefit, they allowed the coaches to yip a bit but then walked away.…Warwick is now tied with Etown for first in Section 2. McCaskey is tied with Cedar Crest on top of Section 1 at 3-0. The crossover games continue this week, with McCaskey playing Etown Friday and Warwick travels to Crest…Warwicks loss tonight is the first they have suffered to a Section 1 team since moving to Section 2 last season…
….and LLhoops is over 8500 unique follows for the past month!
Thanks to all checking us out in various ways: youtube, soundcloud, twitter, livestream and old- fashion written word 🙂

~ Dell Jackson

Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops