Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Cathedral Prep rallied from a 12-point first-half deficit to earn a 60-51 non-region win over Warren.
The Ramblers outscored the Dragons 20-8 in the third quarter, turning a 28-25 deficit into a nine-point advantage. Nick Lydic and Jake Sambuchinio scored 16 of the 20 points in the period.
Both teams were playing their second game in as many days after earning region wins on Friday night,
“I think that’s what I preach and I try to set them up for that mental toughness,” said Prep coach Steve Piotrowicz. “The goals this team has, it’s days like today you try and learn from. I was very proud of their mental toughness. I thought we took a big step forward as a team and hopefully carry that over.”
Prep (11-4) extended its winning streak to six games, and in the process ended Warren’s (10-6) four-game winning streak.
Warren got the lead down to three in the fourth quarter, but the Ramblers were able to hit enough free throws down the stretch, coupled with a big three from Amaree Pickens to help seal the win.
“When you step out of region play, you really want to have some good games, and our non-region schedule this year with Prep, DuBois, Erie, Seneca, all those teams are playoff teams and that’s what we’re looking for,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine.
Warren took an early 12-point lead (18-6) in the first quarter, thanks to the strong play of its backcourt of Tommy Nyquist and Parks Ordiway. Nyquist scored 10 of his game-high 19 points in the opening eight minutes, while Ordiway had three triples, accounting for nine of his 14 points.
“They realized they were in for a dog fight and they were able to turn the defense up,” Berdine said. “They got much more aggressive with our guards and we struggled with that at times.”
The Ramblers steadily cut into the lead, as Sambuchino and Pickens both knocked down threes in the second quarter and the defense limited the Dragons to just seven points (all from Ordiway and Nyquist).
“Just one play at a time,” Piotrowicz said. “Obviously we started slow. Warren has some really good shooters and they came out firing and executed at a high level. We were finally able to hone in, make a little run, chip away and fortunately, we were able to get it down to three at halftime.”
Lydic led three Prep players in double figures with 17 points, while Pickens finished with 12 and Sambuchino 11. Tavion Spencer and Mohamed Rahama had seven apiece for the Ramblers.
Owen Becker chipped in with nine points for the Dragons.
