Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Of all the lessons the young and inexperienced St. Joseph Flyers need to learn is how to put the ball in the basket.

The Flyers found themselves in need of a cram course in scoring after losing 50-27 to the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans on Saturday night.

“Once again we struggled to put the ball in the basket. We had some good looks early that didn’t fall and then we turned it over a few times right before the half that allowed them to extend a manageable lead at the time,” said Flyers’ coach Kevin Sheridan.

Notre Dame led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter but used a late surge to pull away to a 25-9 halftime lead.

St. Joseph cut the deficit to 12 at the start of the third quarter but couldn’t sustain the comeback and the Titans led 34-18.

“We cut it to 12 real quick and then we had a few costly turnovers again,” said Sheridan. “Overall, we played we good effort, we just have to continue to learn how to play the game.”

Isaac Whaley scored all 8 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Flyers, but Bazler and Hittachal Buttayotee combined for 8 points to help extend the Titans’ lead.

Whaley led the Flyers’ offense and Zac McGraw added 7 points.

Bazler finished with a game-high 18 points for the Titans.

St. Joseph plays at Rock Hill on Tuesday.

St. Joseph 0 9 9 11 = 27

Notre Dame 6 19 9 16 = 50

IRONTON ST. JOSEPH (0-2): Judge Williams 0 1 0-0 3, Isaac Whaley 1 2 0-0 8, Clay Willis 0 1 0-0 3, Zac McGraw 3 0 1-3 7, Chase Walters 2 0 0-0 4, Tyler Ward 1 0 0-0 2, Joey Bush 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 7 4 1-3 27. Rebounds: 4-O, 14-D = 18. Assists: 3. Turnovers: 19. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (2-1): Isaiah Johnson 2 0 2-3 6, Sam Kayser 1 0 0-0 2, Trevon Turner 2 1 1-2 8, B. Mader 1 0 0-0 2, Aaron Bazler 8 0 2-6 18, Hattachal Buttayotee 3 0 0-1 6, Grant Sparks 3 0 2-4 8. Totals: 20 1 7-16 50. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.