Boyertown slip up late, falls to CB East in opener of Pottsgrove shootout
POTTSGROVE >> Boyertown’s Jerry Kapp registered a game-high 22 points but it was Central Bucks East coming out victorious, winning 60-52 over the Bears in the opening round of the Pottsgrove Shootout in both team’s season openers.
Matt Pattyson led a quartet of Patriots shooters who finished with more than 10 points. Pattyson finished with 15, including a 7-for-9 effort from the free-throw line, while Sean Dann and Elijah Seger each pitched in 11 with Collin Stein finishing with 10.
The Patriots will face Pottsgrove (57-42 winners over West Chester Henderson in the nightcap) in the Championship game Saturday night at 6 p.m. The Bears will square off with Hendy in the consolation game at 2 p.m.
“CB East is a very disciplined team and we didn’t make smart plays defensively,” Boyertown head coach Mike Ludwig said. “We were giving up backdoor cuts and if you do that, then you are going to be in trouble. Our kids will learn from it and they’ll come back tomorrow and be better.”
Marcus Thomas was a bright spot for the Bears as he finished with 16 points with one 3-pointer. His tactful play in the paint mixed with Kapp’s torrid start from the field (6-for-8 for 17 points) gave the Bears a 28-24 lead at the half before CB East outscored the Bears 20-9 in the third quarter before putting the game away late in the fourth via free throws from Seger and Pattyson.
Bloodied Up
The Bears’ Jack McCloskey was forced to make a jersey change in the first half as his shorts and top were covered in blood. The senior guard finished the game with two points.
Looking Up
Junior Zachary Benning sparked the Bears off the bench as he finished with four points, all coming in the fourth quarter. He, along with Keegan Schealer (three points) drew some praise from Ludwig following the loss.
“I think that we just have a bunch of young guys that are learning to play on this level and sometimes that takes a little bit longer than you would want it to,” Ludwig said. “I know them and they are all hard workers and they’re dedicated. They are going to do what they need to do to make themselves better and compete.”
