Apollo-Ridge continues recent run through Section 1-AA
SPRING CHURCH — With its last two games, Apollo-Ridge has made Section 1-AA a little more interesting.
On Friday, the Vikings knocked off Greensburg Central Catholic and yesterday beat rival Ford City 52-46.
"We put ourselves right back in this," Apollo-Ridge head coach Greg Fox said. "We had a big win at Greensburg, we put ourselves and everyboday else right back in this. We aren't worried about anybody else. We are worried about ourselves."
"We are now back in the pack with everybody," Ford City coach Jim Callipare said. "So it will be interesting."
The Vikings improved to 3-3 in section play while the Sabers fell to 3-3. Apollo and Ford City are chasing Freeport (6-0), Jeannette (5-1) and Greensburg Central Catholic (4-2).
Apollo-Ridge stormed out of the gate taking an early 10 point lead but the Sabers wouldn't roll over and die. Ford City inched back within two points four different times but Apollo-Ridge would answer the call.
"We just didn't take care of the ball," Callipare said. "We tried to rush some things and you can't do that in a close game like this. If we would have been a little more patient, I think we would have been alright."
In the second half, the Sabers didn't take care of the ball as they committed 11 turnovers. The Vikings seemed like they were inventing ways for the Sabers to make a rally. Leading by nine points, Apollo-Ridge was forcing the ball. Making tight passes in traffic and Ford City would make the steal. But at the other end, couldn't convert.
"We told the guys we wanted to run a certain play and get a layup out of it or a wide open three with Luke and four times in a row, they forced it," Fox said. "We started forcing things. We weren't taking what the defense was giving us. We weren't making the open shots."
Ford City early on couldn't make a shot. The Sabers first field goal didn't come until half way through the first quarter and the Vikings had already opened up a 6-0 advantage. Apollo would lead by 10 at the end of the first quarter.
"We didn't take care of the ball out front," Callipare said. "Luke Hill did a nice job pressuring the ball. You aren't going to win these kinds of games if you can't take care of the basketball."
The Vikings as a team didn't commit fouls that would have allowed the Sabers to shoot from the line. Ford City had four foul shots and made two. On the other hand, Apollo shot 9-for-13 from the line.
"Tonight we didn't make the stupid fouls," Fox said.
Eric Jackson and Luke Hill paced the Viking offense. Jackson scored 16 points and pulled in 17 rebounds while Hill scored a game-high 19 points.
"Eric had to work hard for his points tonight," Fox said. "The other kids did a nice job getting Eric the ball inside."
No Saber reached double figures in scoring. Ryan Eckman and Mark Troyan each scored nine points.
The section race can get more interesting on Friday as Ford City will host Freeport and Apollo-Ridge travels to West Shamokin (6-6, 1-5).
