Red Raiders run BVA off the floor

By DEAN DELLAMALVA

MVI Sports

Belle Vernon Area has made great strides under second-year head coach Joe Salvino, but Friday at Uniontown the Leopards learned they still have some growing to do to contend with the defending section champs.

The Red Raiders (7-1, 2-0) came off a long layoff looking like they’re ready to defend the Section 2-4A crown in pounding the Leopards, 81-54.

Four players reached double figures for the hosts, led by Billy DeShields, Isaiah Melvin and Ray Robinson, who had 17 points apiece.

Billy’s freshman brother, Keondre DeShields, added 10 off the bench.

Salvino wasn’t happy with the performance, but Red Raiders coach Robert Kezmarsky was very complimentary of the Leps’ play.

“Belle Vernon is a much-improved team,” Kezmarsky said. “(Devin) Whitlock is a tremendous player and his transfer into Belle Vernon makes them a lot better. But (Cam) Nusser and Mitch Pohlot have improved so much.”

Despite the improvement, BVA (7-4, 1-1) couldn’t contend with the Red Raiders’ athleticism and prowess on the boards.

“Uniontown is a very athletic team, and when you give them second and third chances it’s tough,” said Salvino. “We didn’t rebound all that great in the first half. Until we learn to put a body on someone and rebound, those things are going to happen.

“You can’t let them run like that; you’ve got to be able to stop them. In the third quarter, we created seven turnovers and they still outscored us.”

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