Valley boys ousted by Sharon, but program takes another step

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 9, 2018 | 10:57 PM

Sharon boys basketball is reliving the era of hula hoops, Elvis Presley and Ford Thunderbirds.

The Tigers collected their 24th victory of the season, the program's most since its state title year of 1957, by downing Valley, 72-45, in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A playoffs. Sharon advanced to meet Johnstown on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Ethan Porterfield led four Sharon players in double figures with 17 points, and Tristan Ballard pulled down 13 rebounds as the Tigers (24-2) used their height advantage over the Vikings. Valley was making its 14th PIAA appearance and the first since 2009.

“We have a great group of kids, and that's a good place to start,” Tigers coach Zach Sarver said. “They're playing at a pretty good clip right now, and we're sharing the ball.”

Meanwhile, though Valley lost, the program has made great strides since winning one game two seasons ago.

“I told the guys after the game that it feels like the end of the world, but now is when we try to put it in perspective,” coach Mark Faulx said. “We really wanted to win, and I thought we played hard. We had some real growth in the program, and that's all we can ask. We want to be better every year, so we can be in really big games like this and even bigger games.”

Valley finished the season 14-6. The Vikings are 14-13 all-time in PIAA games, including their 1979 state title.

Sharon used its decided height advantage, outrebounding the Vikings, 34-20. Valley fell behind 14-3 six minutes into the game and struggled to get more than one shot per offensive sequence.

A steal and short jumper by Alex Ward cut the Tigers' lead to 18-9 with 7 minutes, 4 seconds left in the second quarter, but that was the last time Valley was behind by single digits. Sharon went on an 11-3 tear, capped by Porterfield's 3-pointer.

“We had three keys to the game: rebound, rebound and rebound,” Faulx said. “We just didn't get it done on the boards. That's something we've got to take a look at, and we've got to be better blocking out, no matter who it is.”

Added Sarver: “We knew the more they hung around, the more dangerous they would be. So it was good that we made shots from the perimeter to start the game and took over inside as the game progressed.”

The Tigers increased their advantage to 36-22 by the half and 57-32 at the end of three quarters.

Besides Porterfield's 17, Ballard had 14, Elite Williams 13 and Ramell Askerneese 11.

Valley got 14 points from senior Dru Stokes and 10 from junior Deonte Ross.

Ward led Valley with five rebounds.

Valley loses starters Stokes, Ward and Darius Johnson and returns five others from its eight-man rotation.

“I told the seniors how thankful I am to have coached them and how much I love and appreciate them,” Faulx said. “Now we're going to pass the baton on guys returning, and it's their responsibility to get even further.”

Sharon was 30-0 en route to its 1957 state title and was a WPIAL member at the time.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Valley