The Utica Redskins (2-5, 0-2) struggled to start the season, but they are turning things around and have won back-to-back non-conference games with the second half of the season upon us.
Utica 70, Mount Gilead 42
On Dec. 29, the Redskins pummeled the Mount Gilead Indians 70-42 at home to get their first win of the season.
The Indians had strong defense going in the early part of the game, with steals by Rowan Fitzpatrick, Hayden Somerlot and Jacob Wilt. However, scoring was a whole other issue. Logan Gosnell hit a three for the Redskins to go up 5-3. Gosnell then picked up a steal and scored on an ensuing fast break to go up 7-3. Roman Gamble then stole the ball and took it coast to coast, spinning his way to a fast break layup. Hunter McKinney hit a three to put the Redskins up 17-5, and the Indians were able to tack on a score before the quarter ended to make it 17-7.
In the second quarter, Gosnell took a steal all the way to the hoop to go up 21-7. Roman Gamble then stepped in front of a pass for a steal and scored on a layup to make it 23-7. Colton Palmer drilled a three to make it a 28-10 game, but then Hayden Somerlot hit from deep for the Indians to cut the lead to 28-13. Carson Trainer had a pair of steals quickly after, showing that the fight of the Indians was still there despite the deficit. Mount Gilead scored to make it 28-15 and Gage Baker continued the strong defense with a blocked layup. However, the Redskins were able to outscore the Indians 13-8 in the quarter to go up 30-15 at halftime. Gamble had 11 points and Gosnell had nine points for the Redskins. Somerlot led the Indians with five points.
Gosnell’s hot shooting continued in the third quarter when he hit a three to make it a 38-17 game, and then again to make it a 46-25 lead. Yates stole a pass and scored to go up 52-31 Fitzpatrick had nine points in the quarter for the Indians, but the Redskins had a 25-18 advantage. In the fourth quarter Utica outscored the Indians 15-9 to take the blowout win.
Gamble finished with a game high 18 points, while Gosnell and McKinney each had 15 points. Yates also got into double figures with 11 points. Gavin Chinn had two steals to go with one basket in the opening quarter. Palmer had seven points and Isaiah Hall rounded out the scoring with two points.
Fitzpatrick led the Indians with 11 points, as he was the only Indian in double figures in scoring.
Utica shot 48% and 38% from three, while holding Mount Gilead to 29% and 25% from deep. Each team had 32 boards and Mount Gilead led 13-10 in assists, but Utica had advantages in steals and blocks, 13-9 and 4-3.
Utica 58, Horizon Science Academy 54
The Redskins used their momentum off the first win of the season to make it two straight, beating Horizon Science Academy (5-6, 1-0) 58-54.
Each team scored 10 points in the first quarter, and Utica had four points from Gamble. The Redskins dominated the second frame 15-7 to take a 25-17 lead at the half. Gamble finished the half with 10 points to lead all scorers.
It was all Hawks in the third quarter, who outscored the Redskins 22-10. The Redskins turned the tables in the fourth quarter, going 23-15 down the stretch led by Logan Gosnell and Dylan Yates with 19 points combined to secure the win.
Yates had 18 points, including a three and nine free throws. Gamble had 16 points with a pair of threes, and Gosnell scored 11 points with a three. Gosnell had two steals, Yates had a steal and Gamble also had a block in the win.
Utica shot 44% and made 25% from three. They led 35-33 in boards but the Hawks led 14-7 in steals. Each team had nine assists and a block.
"We have had some really good practices and the guys are really starting to gel," Utica Coach Brian Radabaugh said. "We are doing a better job of defending consistently and creating some offense out of our defense. Lately we have had multiple double digit scorers, both of these need to continue for us to be successful. Dylan and Roman both have a lot of experience for us and are able to make plays both inside and outside. They were big down the stretch on Saturday."
