Northwest Holds Off Sayre, Wins 50-45 in District Semi-Final
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | February 22, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
In a tightly contested District 4 2A semi-final game, Northwest came out on top, defeating Sayre 50-45 to secure a spot in the District Championship. The game, played under tense conditions, saw Northwest push through adversity, including early foul trouble, to advance.
First Half: Balanced Play
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with both teams finding their rhythm early. Northwest held a slim 13-11 lead after the first, but they had to contend with early foul trouble. Key players like Brady Shea, Jace McCoy, and Joz Miner each picked up two fouls in the opening period, and Tucker Crawford added another foul. The fouls quickly became a point of concern as Northwest accumulated seven in the first quarter compared to Sayre's three, which put the team in a difficult position. Despite the challenges, Northwest maintained its edge.
The second quarter saw similar results, with both teams struggling to gain significant ground. Northwest added another 13 points to their total, while Sayre stayed close with 11. At halftime, Northwest led 26-22, but the fouls were still an ongoing issue, keeping the game much closer than Northwest may have preferred.
Second Half: Defensive Battle
The third quarter was a defensive slugfest, as both teams managed to score just 9 points apiece. Northwest's defense remained solid, but the limited scoring left the game very much in doubt heading into the final frame, with Northwest holding a narrow 35-31 lead.
Sayre made one final push in the fourth quarter, outscoring Northwest 14-15 in a valiant attempt to steal the game. However, Northwest kept their composure and managed to hold off the Sayre rally, ultimately finishing the game with a 50-45 victory.
Player Highlights
Jozshua Miner led the charge for Northwest, scoring 18 points and showing up big in critical moments. Ryan Miner was also key, contributing 14 points, while Brady Shea added 7. Jace McCoy chipped in 6 points, and Tucker Crawford contributed 2 points in the win.
For Sayre, Zach Senese was the top scorer, finishing with 15 points. Karter Green added 11 points, and Nick Pellicano scored 9. Ryan Ressler and Hudson Trump rounded out the scoring with 7 and 3 points, respectively.
What's Next for Northwest?
With the victory, Northwest moves on to the District 4 2A Championship, where they will face Muncy, who defeated North East Bradford later in the evening. The championship game promises to be a thrilling matchup as Northwest looks to build on their semi-final win and secure the district title. Northwest beat Muncy twice during the regular season and will look for a third while also clinching the District championship.
Northwest will need to tighten up on defense and avoid the foul trouble that plagued them in this contest as they look ahead to their biggest challenge yet. Stay tuned for an exciting championship showdown!
