Balance pays off in Howard Hanna’s win
By Joe Sabolek
MVI Sports
Howard Hanna Wilson Baum used a balanced scoring attack to stave off a comeback attempt from Elite Physical Therapy and pick up a 73-62 victory Thursday night at Marx’s Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth Township.
“I thought early on we did a good job at rebounding and getting back on defense, which allowed us to push the pace. We got easy buckets in transition and that got us going.” Howard Hanna coach Matt Loftis said. “We were pretty stagnant in the second half but I really liked what we did in the first half; we really turned it up on defense.”
Loftis’ squad jumped on Elite PT early, rattling off a quick 11-3 run over the first 8:29 of the first half. They looked poised to continue that before Elite PT clawed back and got the deficit to five with a Bryce Epps free throw.
The play of Isayah Mosley and Daniel Gordon, however, gave Howard Hanna much needed separation, vaulting the lead into double digits, and eventually to 15 at the half. In the final 5:32, Mosley swatted away three shots, grabbed eight rebounds and scored four points, while Gordon scored seven.
“We had a lot of guards coming back for our team so we needed to pick up some size, and Mosley was our guy. He was a great option for us.” said Loftis, who serves as the Elizabeth Forward boys basketball coach during the high school season. “He’s long and he can play outside for us, so we really like what he brings to the table.
“We see Daniel in section play twice a year and we know what Cheeks brings to the table. Some people think he’s just a shooter, but what impresses me most is his rebounding and defense. He goes up there and jumps with the best of them.”
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