Salem rolls as Bennett paces win

By Tom Williams | February 5, 2009 at 12:08a.m.

Salem vs Liberty at the Chevy Centre

YOUNGSTOWN — Salem High senior Phil Bennett’s dedication has paid off in his first title chase.

After seven losing varsity seasons in various sports, the Quakers basketball player is enjoying a season that almost certainly will have more victories than defeats.

Wednesday at the Chevrolet Centre, Bennett scored eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Quakers rolled over Liberty, 46-26.

The win keeps the Quakers (10-4, 4-0 All-American Conference White Tier) atop the league standings.

“This is my first winning [season] ever,” Bennett said. “My best record until now was 10-11 in any sport. It feels great and it feels like all of my hard work is paying off finally.”

In the first quarter against the Leopards (5-9, 1-3), Bennett dominated underneath, blocking three shots and pulling down five rebounds.

“Phil is the type of guy that doesn’t do a whole lot that shows up on the stat sheet,” Salem coach Will Klucinec said. “He’s one of those guys who always gets a lot of deflections, a lot of rebounds.

“He’s kind of an inspirational leader for us,” Klucinec said. “He’s a guy who does the dirty work and he doesn’t mind doing it. He’s an absolute pleasure — he brings his lunchpail and is ready to work every night.”

Bennett’s strong start helped the Quakers post a 16-0 run that turned Liberty’s 4-2 lead into a rout.

Chris Brown sank two 3-pointers and made two free throws during the run while Jordan Strabala, Bennett, Geno Pasquinelli and Trent Toothman contributed baskets.

Brown led the Quakers with 10 points, with Strabala and Toothman netting eight apiece.

“That was one of the better ones,” Bennett said of his strong first quarter. “Tonight was one of those nights where I seemed to be at the right place at the right time.

“I was trying to get the team ready to go for the big game we have on Friday.”

Bennett was referring to Friday’s home game against league rival Hubbard (10-5, 2-2).

“We have a huge test,” Klucinec said. “Hubbard is coming off a pretty big loss to Lakeview and we took them out at their place. They’re coming in hungry and want a little bit of redemption. We have a pretty quick turnaround here.”

The Leopards struggled throughout the game, making just 8-of-42 shots. Nineteen of the misses were from behind the arc.

Liberty had four baskets at the intermission.

“Usually, our goal is 10 points per quarter and that’s usually a pretty good game for us,” Bennett said. “We’ve been trying to tighten up on the defense because we know that’s what will take us to the next level, from being a .500 team to trying to win some championships.”

Klucinec said, “Any time you can hold a team to 10 points at halftime, you have to be doing a lot of things well. I don’t know if it was our strongest game. As you look at the film, you can always find something that you can work on.”

In Klucinec’s first two seasons, the Quakers were a combined 12-31.

“We’re getting better each game and progressing,” Klucinec said. “That was a goal at the start.”

The Quakers outrebounded the Leopards, 36-16, with Toothman getting five and Strabala and Mike King getting four apiece.

“We’re not the biggest team so we need to realize that we need to rebound by committee,” Klucinec said. “Our guys do a good job of thinking rebound first, of going after the ball. That’s the key.”

Floyd Showers led the Leopards with eight points.

williams@vindy.com