Boys’ Basketball: Bethea, Kostishak lead Minersville past Pottsville in Division I clash
Minersville's Shazier Bethea (5) is guarded by Pottsville's Letrel Montone during a Schuylkill League Division I boys' basketball game Thursday at Martz Hall. The Battlin' Miners defeated the Crimson Tide 44-34 (Photo by Danie Mae Photography).
POTTSVILLE — It was everything you could’ve expected.
There was big shots, key passes, a whole lot of defense and intense moments.
Shazier Bethea scored a game-high 15 points and Bradley Kostishak chipped in 10 as Minersville defeated Pottsville 44-34 in a Schuylkill League Division I boys’ basketball game Thursday at Martz Hall.
“I think we made passes that led to some baskets for, and that countered (Pottsville’s) pressure,” Minersville coach Dave Mullaney said. “Their pressure was so good. I mean, it took us out the entire game. They disrupted us. It was a really ugly game, we were fortunate to make a couple more baskets. But we struggled all four quarters offensively.”
The Crimson Tide (3-1, 2-1) scored the first points of the game as Letrel Montone hit a fade away jumper from the elbow to give Pottsville an early advantage 2-0 with 6:12 to play in the first quarter. The Tide held that 2-0 lead, and the Battlin Miners (4-0, 3-0) scoreless for nearly the next 4:00.
Dante Carr went 1-for-2 from the free throw line for the Battlin’ Miners early and added steal and score on the other end to put Minersville ahead 3-2 as the game was a chess match through the first frame. Dawsyn Manning found Bethea cutting on the baseline for an easy layup and then Bethea assisted Jordan Bowers slashing through the lane for 2 points as the Battlin’ Miners led 7-6 at the end of the first.
Minersville’s passing display was in full force as Carr, Manning and Bethea each had an assist in the midway through the second quarter. The display was highlighted by Bethea inbounding the ball to Manning on the baseline, who passed right back to an open Bethea for a 3-pointer to put the Miners ahead 14-6 and cap a 7-0 scoring run.
Points weren’t easy to come by for Pottsville in the second frame. Montone assisted Derek Watkins cutting through lane for layup and then Montone added two points off a turnover to end the quarter as Minersville outscored the Tide 9-4. The Battlin’ Miners led 16-10 at the half.
After halftime the scoring totals began to rise, but both Pottsville and Minersville still brought intensity on defense.
Pottsville’s Christian Alvarez netted his lone basket of the game in the third quarter. Alvarez averaged 13.7 points through the Tide’s last three games. Carr predominantly defended Alvarez and was able to hold him to just one field goal in the contest.
Montone scored five points during the third frame, Ryder Bowers added a 3-pointer and Alvarez chipped in two points as Pottsville matched their first half total points in the third. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, the Battlin’ Miners were spreading the ball out and finding the open man.
Bethea and Kostishak each had four points, Logan Hutsko and Carr each added two, and Bowers knocked down a corner 3 as time expired in the third quarter. Minersville upped its lead to 31-20 at the end of the frame.
It was now-or-never for Pottsville as the fourth quarter opened. Watkins and Ryder Bowers each hit a 3 for the Tide, and Montone added a strong basket in the lane as Pottsville cut Minersville’s lead to 35-32 with a little over 2:00 to play. After an empty possession for the both the Miners and Tide, Watkins grabbed a steal, but couldn’t finish as the momentum began swirling.
