Purple Eagles ousted by CSAT

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos By Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tommy Mattison (1) puts up a shot as Jahleel Burks (2) tries to block for CSAT during the host Purple Eagles sectional loss to the Eagles this evening.

A big second half comeback bid fell short as No. 7 seed defending champion Albion dropped a 71-59 decision to visiting No. 10 CSAT this evening in the pre-quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class B1 boys basketball playoffs.

Trailing by as many as 20, 32-12, midway through the second period, Albion began to rally by closing the quarter with a 10-4 run on tallies by Tommy Mattison, Manwell Taylor, Kory Reynolds and Evan Pappalardo to cut the deficit to 13, 38-25 at the half.

Keeping the momentum, the Purple Eagles then put together a big 22-8 scoring surge in the third period to rally into the lead for the first time at 47-46.

Brady Meakin had four threes and a rebound bucket and Taylor three baskets, including a fast break layup and a layup off a turnover, to key that rally.

Albion upped the advantage a bit to three, 53-50, at the outset of the final period after two free throws by Reynolds, a layup off a steal by Mattison and a rebound bucket by Taylor but the Purple Eagles could not hold the lead.

Manwell Taylor (10) looks to shoot for Allbion as Juan Verdejo (3) tries to block and Shaun Wilson (22) goes over the top for CSAT.

CSAT answered the challenge with what proved to be a decisive 13-0 run, including 8 by Shaun Wilson, to regain control by 10 at 63-53. Albion could get no closer than nine after that.

Wilson finished with a game high 22 points to lead CSAT as Jahleel netted 19 and Juan Verdejo 13.

Verdejo scored all of his points in the first 12 minutes which helped the Eagles jump out to leads of 18-8 after one period and 32-12 midway through the second quarter.

Taylor finished with 18, Meakin 14, Mattison 11, Reynolds 10 and Pappalardo 6 for Albion.

Albion and CSAT had split a pair of regular season Niagara-Orleans League meetings.

CSAT will now visit No. 2 Medina at 7 p.m. Friday in the B1 quarterfinals.