The Newport boys’ basketball team lost a cliffhanger 46-44 at the final buzzer on December 13 against the East Juniata Tigers (2-2) in the Buffalo’s home opener after committing multiple crucial errors in the closing minutes and blowing a 13-point lead they had built as early in the third stanza.
“We need to address turnovers and incomplete tasks,” bemoaned head coach Jeff Zaring. Although we had a strong start and recovered well, the last play was sloppy.
In an attempt to explain his team’s collapse, sophomore Landon Zaring, who scored 19 points (or 43% of his team’s offense), said, “We’re a young team and we were holding the ball too long and forcing it.” Being in that position (with the opposing team full court pressuring) is difficult for a young team like us.
Zaring scored 10 of his 19 points in the first period, giving the Buffaloes a 12–11 lead. In the second session, senior Tyler Gardner stepped out and immediately put Newport ahead 15–11. He then made a deep three. Newport had a 27-19 advantage at the half after three point plays from sophomore Jameson Cummins, Tai Caudle, and Zaring (2).
The Buffaloes led 34-21 early in the third quarter thanks to baskets from Gardner and Caudle as well as a three-pointer from Gardner. However, the Tigers were able to pull within 36-33 at the end of three periods thanks to some aggressive, swarming defense.
PUBLISH IT Buffalo The shot is taken by Tyler Gardner. (Photo by Craig Baughman)Times of Perry County
Early in the fourth quarter, East Juniata leveled the score at 36-36, but Caudle’s goal put the home team ahead 39-36. EJ responded by scoring a few baskets off turnovers to regain the lead, 42-39. However, Newport pulled within 42-41 thanks to a clutch bucket from Cummins. With 1:06 remaining, Zaring made a crucial three-pointer to level the score at 44-41 East Juniata. With :35 seconds remaining, however, the Buffaloes made a crucial error under their own basket, and the Tigers made a couple of free throws to grab a 46-44 lead. Then, with almost no time left, a foul was committed on the inbounds pass with 3.1 seconds left. Zaring was fouled hard with exactly 0:0 remaining on the clock after he took the following inbounds pass and made a three-pointer from deep in the corner. As the fans fell hushed, unsure of the nature of the injury, he went down on that play with cramping in both calves. He eventually managed to stand up and limp to the foul line for three free shots, which might have tied or won the game, after coaches relentlessly worked on his legs. Ironically, Zaring missed the first two free shots, which allowed the Tigers to win, even though he had essentially carried the club until this time.
Coach Zaring stated, “I’ll be thinking about this game for a long time,” after the Buffaloes’ loss reduced them to 0–4 to begin the season. East Juniata made 5–17 free throws, while Newport made 3-6 free throws. Gardner scored six points for the Buffaloes, while Caudle scored ten.
The Juniata Indians defeated Newport 63-25 after leading 34-7 at the half, and both EJ and Newport were reeling off defeats. “You’re not going to win any games shooting that bad,” coach Zaring said after the Buffaloes shot a pitiful 18% from the field. We gave it our all right up until the finish, but we just need to improve. In the defeat, Landon Zaring scored 13 points.
Newport lost to Kutztown 63-20 earlier in the Big Spring Tip-Off Tournament on December 6-7, with sophomore guard Tai Caudle accounting for half of those points. After that, they lost to York Tech 60-33, with Caudle scoring eight points to lead the team once more. Tyler Gardner, a senior, scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds. Zaring pulled down eight rebounds and five points.
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