BASKETBALL Whitlow sparkles for Wilson

The senior standout turned in a strong overall performance in a 67-44 win.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Senior Chauncey Whitlow had 23 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and five steals Tuesday as the host Woodrow Wilson High boys basketball team defeated Youngstown Christian, 67-44.
"We have been struggling lately, so it was good to step up tonight when we really needed a win," Whitlow said.
The Redmen (4-10) used a 15-4 second quarter, which gave them a 34-16 halftime lead, and had three double-figure scorers in the win.
"We played good enough to win against a much-improved Youngstown Christian team, but we still have a lot of improving to do down the stretch of this season," Wilson coach Mark Cherol said.
Whitlow also scored 23 points in a 77-44 win over the Eagles earlier this season.
Scoring duel
Tuesday, he was 4-of-6 from 3-point range and had an 11-point third quarter when he was in a torrid scoring duel with Youngstown Christian's Mike Byrdy.
Byrdy, a 6-2 senior who led all scorers with 25 points, had 13 of his team's 16 points in that third quarter. He helped to cut a 16-point deficit to 11 points.
Aaron Agresta's 3-pointer inside the last minute of the third cut Youngstown Christian's deficit to 43-32.
But Whitlow hit two long-range 3-pointers that turned back the Eagles' surge as the Redmen led 49-32 going into the fourth quarter.
Senior Walter Duncan added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Wilson.
Smith gives support
Wilson's other double-figure scorer and rebounder was 6-foot-9 senior Bruce Smith, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Byrdy and Dominic Vitullo each had 10 rebounds for Youngstown Christian (8-6), but Wilson had a 42-29 overall advantage.
The Eagles hurt themselves with 22 turnovers, nine in the second quarter, when Wilson had a 15-4 scoring advantage.
"We have six boys in the next graduating class and four of them are on this team, with our tallest player at 6-2," Youngstown Christian coach and principal Anthony Agresta said. "So we always are at a disadvantage, but tonight I was very proud of this team for their never-say-die attitude."