Metea Valley rallied from a slow start to display a balanced, diversified and consistent offense after the first quarter.
It allowed the Mustangs to pull away from and defeat East Aurora 73-46 in Upstate Eight Valley action at Ernie Kivisto gym on Friday.
The Mustangs scored 21, 21 and 22 points in the final three quarters. Balance was key as Dei’Ron Delarosa led the way with 17, followed by Mark Konkle with 15. Ron Edwards chipped in with 13.
After a mistake-filled first quarter in which Metea had seven turnovers and East Aurora eight, the Mustangs (11-12, 6-5) went to work.
Delarosa opened the second quarter with two quick layups off turnovers, and drained a three near halftime. In between, Edwards also had a three and 6-foot-4 junior Tristan Schlosser was strong inside in relief of Konkle. Schlosser had a putback basket and another tough score from close in.
Metea’s defense was a step faster as the Mustangs only committed two fouls on the way to 30-19 halftime lead. They valued their possessions more effectively with only two turnovers in the second quarter.
“It was tough early but we played through it. Coach (Bob Vozza) told us to maintain our pace and not to turn it over as much,” Delarosa said.
Schlosser is rounding into shape after a Christmas tournament injury.
“I started the season pretty well, but then was hurt and out for two weeks. I’m starting to get my legs and it’s good to be back,” Schlosser said.
Anthony Peters led East (5-13, 1-8) in the second quarter with seven points and 6-3 Ron McBride did his best against Konkle and Schlosser down low with two baskets. But the Tomcats were chilly and shot only 9-for-24 in the half, and 1-for-7 from three contending with Metea’s aggressive man defense.
The Mustangs went to their bread and butter to begin the third as Bryson Oliver (10 total assists) quickly found Konkle twice for easy layups. Metea warmed even more as Delarosa, Edwards, Montrel Oliver, and Harrison Kranz all knocked down threes as part of a 4-for-8 effort from long range.
“Offensively, we got into it in the third quarter and our defense stayed the same,” Konkle said. “Bryson did a good job breaking that press and played a great game finding the right people all the time.”
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McBride led the Tomcat effort with three of East’s four baskets in the third, but when the dust settled, Metea held a 51-33 lead and continued to stretch the lead in the fourth quarter.
Adrian Smith scored 12 points for East, and Peters and McBride followed with 11 and 10, respectively.
“We just rushed shots and they slowed it down and ran their offense,” said Peters. “We fouled them trying to cheat the plays to get steals. We took quick shots and didn’t run our offense as instructed. We need to slow them down on defense and then get our break.”
Vozza was happy with his team’s performance.
“We knew we would get their best in the second half,” he said. “We wanted to come out strong. Bryson got some assists, and then the threes started going in.”