RIVALRY Scarpitti brothers help Sebring topple Salem

The duo combined for 31 points in a 50-46 victory.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SEBRING -- The last time Salem and Sebring high schools played each other in a boys basketball game, David and Dan Scarpitti weren't even born.
In fact, they didn't come along until 25 years after the schools last met in 1960.
But the duo was certainly alive and well Tuesday when the Trojans and Quakers renewed their rivalry that dates to 1915.
The Scarpitti brothers combined for 31 of Sebring's 50 points, leading the Division IV Trojans to a 50-46 victory over Division II Salem.
"Some people will look at this game as a big school vs. little school thing, but it's not really that," Sebring (4-0) coach Brian Clark said. "It's a local rivalry between two really good defensive teams.
"Salem's program is on the rise, and it says a lot about the character of our kids that they could come out here and meet the challenge of playing a bigger school," Clark said.
Sebring needed a strong effort from the Scarpitti brothers as Salem gave the Trojans everything they could handle on their home floor.
Back and forth
The Quakers trailed most of the way, but rallied in the third quarter, thanks to tough defense and a solid job on the defensive boards.
Salem outscored Sebring 9-4 in the third quarter and Tyler Pierce knotted the game at 32-all with a jumper as time expired in the period.
The Quakers had the momentum for the first two minutes of the fourth quarter and took their only lead of the contest, 35-34, on a Landon Heath 3-pointer with 7 minutes, 4 seconds to go.
But the Scarpittis took over, scoring the game's next eight points as Sebring went ahead 42-35.
Salem kept fighting, getting as close as three points (46-43) on a Zac Grey basket with 31 seconds remaining.
But Dan Scarpitti, who led Sebring with 16 points, canned three straight free throws to pad the advantage to 49-43. His last charity toss came with 12 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
"That little run was the turning point for us," Clark said. "We had some good defensive possessions there at the end and then our tradition just kind of took over. These kids believe we will win those close games at the end and we did again tonight."
Crucial mistakes
Salem (2-3) coach Jeff Brink chalked up the loss to a few crucial mistakes down the stretch.
"Sebring is a good team and we knew we had to come to play," Brink said. "We hung in there, and we had the heart and desire to win tonight, but we just made a few mistakes in key situations. We are disappointed we lost, but we need these type of games against quality opponents."
Sebring's Matt Ferguson and Joe Amabeli did a nice job defensively against Salem's Joe Smith, limiting him to just 10 points and eight rebounds. Clark cited that defensive effort as a key to victory.
"We felt like he was the key for Salem and anytime you can take away another team's strength, it's going to spell good things for you," Clark said.
Sebring won despite being outrebounded by Salem 37-25. Pierce and Smith led the Quakers with eight rebounds each. Sebring was led by seven rebounds from David Scarpitti.
"This wasn't our best basketball of the season," Brink said. "We played hard and kept fighting, which is what we need to do to be competitive in the [Metro Athletic Conference]."