Dryden lost in opening round sectional action 65-64 to host Susquehanna Valley Tuesday night.
Dryden placed two players in double-figures as sophomore Ali Abel-Ferretti had a game-high 24 points, to go along with 16 rebounds and four blocks. Freshman Trevor Gardner had a career-high 20 points, to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Dryden also got eight points from sophomore Matt McHerron.
"Defensively, we allowed too much dribble penetration," said head coach Kim Brown. "They were able to get paint touches, allowing for higher percentage shots."
Dryden would cut the deficit to two at halftime as they outscored Susquehanna Valley 17-11 in the second quarter. Abel-Ferretti had six in the quarter for Dryden.
"We really picked up the pace offensively in the second quarter, and were able to dictate the pace of the game," said Brown.
Dryden would then outscore Susquehanna Valley 21-10 in the third quarter to take a 52-43 lead.
"Our pace allowed us easy opportunities," said Brown.
Dryden would have a chance to increase the lead to 11 on the final possession, but McHerron's uncontested put-back with one second left in the third quarter rolled off the rim.
Abel-Ferretti had 10 points in the third quarter.
"Ali got great position in the quarter and was able to finish through lots of contact," said Brown. "He should also have been at the free-throw line several times during the quarter, yet he was not."
Susquehanna Balley would outscore Dryden 22-12 in the fourth quarter.
"To give up 22 points in the fourth quarter sounds as though we struggled defensively, yet we
did not," said Brown. "We forced Susquehanna Valley to put the ball on the floor, and they continued to create contact by launching their body into us defensively. I was proud of the way we defended as we used proper defensive technique, yet were not rewarded for doing so. Ali did a great job of going straight up, it's just unfortunate his effort was not rewarded."
Consequently, Susquehanna Valley would shoot eight free throws in the fourth quarter, whereas Dryden shot 10 free throws for the game.
With the score tied at 62, Dryden would force Susquehanna Valley into a tough shot which they missed. Dryden passed to Gardner, who dribbled the length of the floor and finished on the lay-in with a euro-step.
"I was not going to use a timeout if I thought we had an advantage," said Brown. "When I saw Trevor eliminate his defender in the backcourt, I knew he would make a good decision with the basketball."
Fortunately for Dryden, Gardner was able to finish as he was also pushed in the back on the play, resulting in him landing on the floor, yet a foul was not called. Dryden would burn one of their two remaining timeouts after the finish.
Susquehanna Valley would inbound the ball with 24 seconds remaining, and run the length of the floor to go down by two, 64-62. Dryden would force Susquehanna Valley into a difficult shot attempt which they missed. The ball caromed off the front of the rim, into the air approximately 5 feet in front of the rim.
Shaynne Rodriguez gathered the missed shot, went back up with the ball when McHerron got a piece of Rodriguez's shot. A foul was called with 12 seconds remaining, and the shot attempt by Rodriguez went in. McHerron had fouled out and the score was tied at 64.
"In my eleven years coaching varsity basketball I have never seen that call made unless it is a
blatant foul," said Brown. "Matt did a great job of contesting the shot, and actually getting a piece of the ball. It would have been nice if the players had decided the outcome."
Rodriguez made the free throw to take a one point lead. Dryden advanced the ball quickly to the timeline and called their last timeout.
"We had gone over special sets all week, so we were prepared for the situation," said Brown.
Dryden would inbound on the side with nine seconds remaining, and Susquehanna Valley fouled with six seconds remaining as they had one to give.
Dryden ran the same set, yet Susquehanna Valley deflected the pass, consequently running out the clock.
"This has probably been the most enjoyable year I have had coaching basketball in eleven years," said Brown. "These guys showed up to work every day, and they got better every day. We lose some great character seniors, yet we also return some very talented basketball players. If we continue to work on our skills during the off-season, this group has sectional victories in front of them."
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