Southmoreland's boys basketball team is off to a solid start to the season and Brandon Stone is a big reason why and that's not only because the sophomore stands 6 feet, 10 inches tall.
The Scotties started a 2-1 week with Stone leading four players score double figures in a convincing 68-39 win over Derry Dec. 15 in Section 3-AAA play.
Stone scored 15 points, Zak and John Leighty each added 13 and Tanner Schwartz contributed 10.
The Scotties outscored Derry 34-14 in the first half.
The Scotties suffered their loss Dec. 18 at the hands of the defending WPIAL champions — Indiana. The Scotties actually jumped on top in the section contest, leading 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.
But Indiana outscored the Scotties 58-28 the remainder of the contest en route to a 69-48 win.
Zak Leighty led Southmoreland with 17 points and Stone added 15.
The Scotties got back on the winning track the next afternoon, defeating Elizabeth Forward 50-44 in a nonsection contest
Stone led all scorers with 22 points.
The win gave the Scotties a 4-3 record entering this week.
The Scotties were to play their final game before the Christmas break Tuesday against crosstown rival Mt. Pleasant.
Girls basketball
The duo of Olivia Porter and Julea Claycomb combined to lead the way for the Scotties in a 45-41 win over Uniontown Monday in a Section 3-AAA contest.
Ported paced the Scotties with 16 points and Claycomb — fresh off her game-winning basket Dec. 17 against Mt. Pleasant — chipped in with 10.
The Scotties actually trailed the contest at the end of three quarters by 34-28.
However, a 17-10 edge in the fourth quarter gave the Scotties the victory, evening their section record to 2-2 on the season. Their overall record is 4-3.
Wrestling
It was a tough night on the mat for the Scotties who fell to Derry 54-18 in a Class AA, Section 2B match.
The Scotties actually started strong with a 21-5 technical fall for Jaden Datz at 160 pounds in the first match of the night.
However, four pins and four forfeit victories led Derry to the win.
Jake Beistel did get a pin for Southmoreland in the heavyweight match.
The tough nights continued Monday for the Scotties who fell to Penn-Trafford 44-29 in a nonsection match.
Tyler Griffiths (120 pounds) and Jake Virgin (138) notched pins for the Scotties.
Virgin pinned his opponent just 18 seconds into the match.
Evan Myers (160) won by technical fall with a 17-2 victory over his opponent.
Anthony Wise (126) and Beistel (285) won by forfeit.
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