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Shadyside subdues Bellaire, 75-57

T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY BELLAIRE SENIOR Owen Ward drives baseline after getting past Shadyside’s Ben Wach during the first quarter of Tuesday’s game in Bellaire. The Tigers posted a 75-57 victory.

BELLAIRE – Shadyside wasted no time in asserting itself Tuesday evening at Bellaire.

The Tigers scored the first seven points of the game and really never looked back en route to claiming a 75-57 repeat win over the Big Reds.

For the second time this season, Shadyside (10-5) was able to handle the Big Reds pressure and not only keep from turning the ball over, but it also converted time and time again.

“We got off to a good start, but the thing I was probably most excited about was that we were able to keep it going because you know when you play (Bellaire), they’re going to score and they can do it quickly,” Shadyside head coach Ed Andes said. “To be successful against them, you have to handle the pressure because if you can’t, you lose.”

It’s basically been that simple. In the Big Reds’ nine victories, they’ve been able to create chances for themselves. Those opportunities went the way of the Tigers.

“They handled the pressure just as well as they did when we played down there,” Bellaire head coach J.R. Battista said. “They have some good, senior guards who can get by the pressure because they have pretty good foot speed. Plus, they can finish on the other end, which is a problem.”

Most of those Big Reds’ problems were created by senior standout Korey Beckett, who continued to play at a high level. And there must be something about playing against the Big Reds that brings out the best in Beckett.

In the prior meeting, Beckett scored 30 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark. He produced a season high 31 markers this time around, including a 15-point outburst in the second quarter.

“I was very pleased with our effort,” Andes said. “Against Bellaire, you have to make a lot of two-pointers because the opportunity for transition chances can be there if you handle the pressure.”

Beckett, who is closing in on 200 made treys for his career, scored in a bevy of ways. He buried two bonus goals in the first quarter, but he also knocked down 13 of 15 at the foul line, too.

Andes thought the biggest point of the game was the third quarter. Shadyside built a 42-31 lead at halftime and then opened the third on a 16-5 run to stretch the margin to 58-36.

“We never really got in the flow (of the game),” Battista said. “We didn’t bother them. We made some plays and shots to cut into their lead a little bit, but we were never able to make them uncomfortable. That’s a credit to them. They played well. They handled it and passed the ball well. They’re a very skilled bunch.”

While Beckett did much of the damage offensively, he was by no means alone. The Tigers established rangy junior post player Elijah Brock early. He scored eight of his 20 in the first quarter.

Senior Bryce Amos chipped in with 11.

The Big Reds (9-7) were paced by junior Ray Ray Pettigrew’s 13 points. Seniors Owen Ward and Jaiden Kesterson each had 12.

Shadyside is back in action Friday at home against Frontier, while Bellaire returns to the court Saturday against Harrison Central in the Buckeye 8 crossover event at Beaver Local.

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