1/13 at South Williamsport
The Griffins went on the road to face a Mountie team that has been very competitive this year. The two teams went back and forth in an exciting first quarter and were tied at the end of eight minutes. Sullivan controlled the second quarter, outscoring the home team 13-2. The Griffins led 27-16 at the half.
South, led by Ethan Laudenslager, was determined to get back in the game. The Mounties came out firing in the third quarter and outscored Sullivan 23-14. South took the lead 42-41 early in the fourth quarter. This resilient Griffin team answered the challenge. Big three-pointers by Alex Schweitzer and Justin Metzger, combined with a couple of easy transition baskets and clutch free throws, helped the Griffins end the game on a 20-11 run. Sullivan picked up a big win 61-53.
The Griffins continued to show great scoring balance. Griffin scorers included: Sam Carpenter 13, Justin Metzger 12, Jesse Williams 12, Jalen Thomas 8, Alex Schweitzer 7, Omar Rubio 5, and Gerhett Parrish 4. Carpenter had five assists and Metzger had eight rebounds.
The jayvee team won 43-35. Bryon Fitzgerald had 16 points, Trey Higley had 11, and Riley King scored 10.
1/17 vs. Lourdes
The defending two-time district champion came to Laporte to take on the Griffins. Sullivan was without starting center Jesse Williams and the team was fighting sickness and injury. Lourdes started out the game scoring the first two baskets before a Justin Metzger three made it 4-3. The Griffins, after that basket, continued their run taking a 12-6 lead after a quarter.
The two teams traded baskets until just a few minutes were left in the first half. The Sullivan defense forced a few turnovers and the Griffins finished the half strong to take a 30-14 lead.
Lourdes was tough inside in the third quarter as the Griffins struggled to score and the lead was 40-26 after three quarters. The Griffins closed well, outscoring the visitors 19-11 in the fourth quarter, and won 59-37 to pick up win number 10.
Jalen Thomas was outstanding, scoring 16 points on 4-6 shooting. Thomas was also 6-7 from the free throw line, had four assists and seven steals. Justin Metzger hit four three’s to lead him to 14 points and six rebounds. Sam Carpenter had 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Alex Schweitzer was 3-5 from the field for seven points. Schweitzer also had four assists. Other scorers for Sullivan included: Riley King 3, Omar Rubio 2, Bryon Fitzgerald 2, Trey Higley 2, and Gerhett Parrish 2.
The jayvee team improved to 10-1 with a 42-19 win. Riley King had 11 points and Trey Higley had 10.
The Griffin boys are now 10-3 on the season after three straight wins. The team travels to Montgomery on Wednesday. The Griffins could possibly be making up Saturday’s CMVT game on 1/24 (not definite yet), and then the team will take on Benton on 1/25 with a 12pm jayvee start. Sullivan will be at home on Monday, 1/27, to take on Muncy in what might be the last home regular season game of the year.
The next win qualifies the Griffin boys for the district playoffs, and a strong finish to the season should guarantee the team a home playoff game. The Griffins are currently the third seed in District 4. Let’s keep this winning streak going! Good luck, guys!