Rams pull away from Cougars
By JOE SABOLEK
MVI Sports
As the temperature outside dropped Wednesday in the Mon Valley, things heated up inside Charleroi’s gymnasium as Ringgold defeated Charleroi in a high-scoring affair, 88-78.
Fans were treated to a scoring clinic as the two teams combined to score 166 points and knock down 21 3-pointers in the contest.
“We work as one unit at practice, and it really showed tonight,” said Ringgold coach Phil Pergola. “Nate (Pajak) was great tonight, you know what you’re gonna get out of Chris (Peccon), and Meech (Butler) just keeps having quiet games, nothing fancy, just efficient. Our offense was excellent and their offense was excellent, no other way of putting it.”
Chris Peccon scored 25 while his back-court partners, Butler and Pajak, had 18 and 17, respectively. Ringgold big man Luke Wyvratt also handled his work on the inside, scoring 21 and snatching 13 rebounds.
The Cougars however, had no problems scoring either, kicking off the game with a Zach Usher triple.
The first quarter was one that saw the Cougars claw their way back after several Rams’ runs.
Joe Caruso and Legend Davis did all they could to match pace with the Rams.
With Ringgold leading 12-6 midway through the first, Davis and Caruso fueled a quick 11-2 run to put Charleroi on top with 2:25 left. A Pajak trey and a pair of Wyvratt buckets gave the Rams the lead back at the end of the first, 25-20.
Both teams traded buckets and continued the hot shooting and fast-paced play in the second.
With 3:55 remaining in the frame it looked as if Ringgold was poised to extend their lead but Will Wagner hit two consecutive jumpers to trim the Rams lead to 37-36. After a Wyvratt basket, Caruso followed with four straight points as the Cougars retook the lead, 40-39, but a sweet euro-step from Butler sent the Rams into the half with a one-point lead.
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