Leopards hold off California for 77-72 win
BY DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
For the MV Independent
Jake Sepesky’s steal in the waning seconds helped Belle Vernon Area hold on for a 77-72 win at California Thursday in a game scheduled to help both playoff teams stay sharp for the postseason.
“This was a last moment thing because we needed an extra game and we are not going to be playing for a while,” BVA coach Joe Salvino said. “When you play a game like this you don’t know if the kids are mentally prepared for it. At times we played OK and at other times we didn’t play at all.”
The Leopards (8-14) missed their first seven shots from the field, but rallied by forcing 22 turnovers. Both teams’ top scorers had big games as the Leopards’ Cam Nusser poured in 25 points, Mitch Pohlot added 22 and Larry Callaway scored 20. The Trojans (11-8) were paced by Malik Ramsey’s 23 points, Cochise Ryan’s 17 and Jaeden Zuzak’s 13.
The Leopards forced three turnovers in the final minute and converted them into six key points.
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