Ellwood City avenged a January loss to rival Riverside Friday night, collecting a 56-41 victory and clinching a playoff berth.
This time they had the services of junior big man Joseph Roth, but it was another Wolverine starter that propelled the visiting Wolverines to victory
Will Nardone entered Friday’s contest averaging under five points per contest, but the sophomore erupted for 21 points including more made 3-pointers (five) than his season average in points.
Nardone scored eight points in a pivotal third quarter that saw the visiting Wolverines stretch out what was a two point halftime advantage to a 43-27 lead after three quarters.
Riverside could only collect one made field goal in the quarter.
source: McClymonds Photography
Ellwood City led 25-23 after a physical first half.
Roth, who had missed the first rivalry match-up with an injury, connected on two first half 3-pointers and posted 14 of his team-high 24 points (8-8 FTs) in the second half to lead the Wolverines offensive attack. Freshman Jordan Keller connected on two early 3-pointers to spark the offense in the first quarter.
Friday night was senior night for Riverside as they recognized two seniors prior to tipoff. Senior Sam Hughes nailed three 3-pointers en route to his 11 points while fellow senior Nate Kolesar contributed six points on two 3-pointers. Sophomore Drake Fox finished with a team-high 14 points (two 3-pointers, 2-2 FTs) for the Panthers who finished their 2022-23 season with a 8-14 overall record.
The teams combined for 16 3-pointers in the Riv-Ell contest.
Ellwood City (15-7 overall, 7-5 Section 1-3A), who joins Mohawk, Neshannock and Beaver Falls as playoff entries from Section 1-3A, will await its seeding and next opponent in the WPIAL Playoffs.
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