Sophomore Isaac Gesford came off the bench to fire in 17 points in a second-quarter outburst that sent Elk Lake on its way to the Lackawanna League Division 4 boys lead with a 73-59 victory over visiting Blue Ridge.
The defending champion Warriors avenged their only loss in the last two seasons in the division while moving a half-game in front of the Raiders.
“The guys came out with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” Elk Lake coach Rich Emmons said. “We brought intensity from the start.
“It was probably the biggest crowd we’ve had at Elk Lake post-COVID.”
Reigning division Player of the Year Matt Mowry led the way with 22 points and Gesford added 21.
Gesford hit four 3-pointers while helping Elk Lake outscore Blue Ridge, 27-18, in the second quarter for a 41-27 halftime lead.
“They went with a triangle-and-two,” Emmons said of Blue Ridge’s concentration on containing Mowry and 3-point threat Trevor Graham. “Isaac was able to get in a spot. We found him for some open shots.
“He really did a nice job knocking down some outside shots as well as getting to the basket once or twice. He’s giving us some positive minutes; really a good ballplayer.”
Mowry also had eight points in the second quarter, then had nine when the Warriors held on in the fourth quarter. He matched Gesford in making four of Elk Lake’s nine 3-pointers.
Wyatt Casselbury added 11 points in the win.
Elk Lake is 6-1 in the division and 11-5 overall.
Connor Cranage scored 22 points to lead Blue Ridge (6-2, 10-6).
Coleman McCain added 12 points. Dylan Bradley hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter and finished with 11 points.
