FARRELL, PA. Steelers pull past rival Sharon

Bryan-Michael Dungee scored 13 points in the second half to lead Farrell.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
FARRELL, Pa. -- In terms of a league title or possibly a postseason berth, Friday's game between Sharon and Farrell meant absolutely nothing.
Farrell is a member of the WPIAL, while Sharon competes in the MCAC.
However, as far as neighborhood bragging rights, the meeting meant everything, and the Steelers earned those rights for another year with a 67-60 victory.
Although the Tigers (4-2) came out on the short end, they owned the first half, using an 8-0 run to post a 27-21 lead at the break.
"We came out and dictated what we wanted to do in the first half," said Sharon coach Brian Hoover. "We played pretty good defense and kept them right where we wanted them point-wise.
"But as well as we played in the first half, that second half really killed us."
While Sharon was having things pretty much its own way in the opening 16 minutes, Farrell was struggling to find its identity as the Steelers have gone through three coaches in as many weeks.
"Sharon played a fine game, and I don't think it was anything they did as much as our guys struggling to learn our system," said Farrell coach Roland Shannonhouse.
"These kids have had three different coaches in three weeks so I anticipated a slow start, but down the stretch, they pulled together pretty well."
Different story
Leading by the half dozen at the break, Sharon had the tables turned on them during the final 16 minutes as they missed a dozen free throws that allowed the Steelers to put their running game in high gear.
"We don't give up 46 points in a game, let alone 46 points in a half," said Hoover.
"Our defense really shut down in the second half, but I have to give credit to Farrell because they made some adjustments and got their game going."
Trailing by four at the outset of the fourth period, Sharon tied the game at 41 on a bucket and a pair of free throws, but from that point, the Steelers took control as they steadily pulled away to lead by as many as 11.
"I thought our leaders did well by keeping our guys under control," said Shannonhouse.
"They didn't panic, they protected the ball and took good shots in the second half and that is a result of patience and discipline."
Leaders
Leading Farrell (2-3) to its win was Bryan-Michael Dungee with 18 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
Joining Dungee in doubles for Farrell were Dominique Blackwell with 17 and Clarence Clay with a dozen.
The Tigers matched the Steelers with three players in double figures as Justin Gartner tied Dungee for game-high honors with 18. Gartner was followed by Ramone Williams and Curtis Newby with 14 and 13 points, respectively.