Panthers topple West
By Shawn Vargo The Leader

Eric Wensel/The Leader Corning West's Clarence Onyiriuka blocks a shot by Campbell-Savona's Camden Wright.

CAMPBELL - Campbell- Savona utilized its gritty defense with some deft shooting to defeat Corning West 56-44 to earn the big school title at the 7th Annual IABBO Tip-off Tournament at Campbell-Savona High School Saturday, Nov. 25.

The Vikings (1-1) were the ones to show some grit early by taking a 5-2 lead thanks to three points from Phil Parrish and two from Clarence Onyiriuka.

"Actually, we were a little out of sync without our big man," Campbell-Savona head coach Merlin Button said about not having the services of 6-7 Zach Simpson. "That hurts us a little because we didn't have the same flow that we're used to. We've tried to make adjustments over the last week or so."

Unfortunately for the Vikings, Campbell-Savona made the adjustments and found its stride, exploding for a 20-0 run over the next nine minutes.

"We pushed the ball well and we were shooting the ball well," Button said. "That's a really good thing for us this year."

Everyone got in on the action for the Panthers as 10 players scored in the opening half as Campbell-Savona took a 32-14 lead into the intermission. Andy Knowles led the barrage with six points, while Sean Mourhess and Adam Clark chipped in five points each.

"Actually, we're doing a lot of things well for this early in the season," Button said. "Last year, our defense was the thing and many of the guys have picked up where we left off. We're really working hard at that and I think they're at a level that was better than we were at this time last year."

Down 18, West came out battling in the second half and actually outscored Campbell-Savona 30-24, led by Onyiriuka's 16 points. Parrish closed the game with 11 points.

According to Vikings head coach Mike Johnston, West still has some work to do.

"I just think we have a lot of room for improvement," Johnston said. "I thought the effort in the first half was poor - we didn't screen well, we didn't cut hard and we didn't block out.

"I thought we played a little harder in the second half, but by that point, we're down by 20. They shoot the ball too well to get behind by that much."

So efficient was Campbell- Savona's passing game, that Mourhess was the only Panthers' player to score in double-digits with 10 points. Knowles and Clark finished with eight points apiece.