WILLIAMSPORT — North Montgomery pulled out a trap defense for the first time this season which stymied Seeger’s offense. The Chargers defense was a key to defeating the Patriots 62-43 Friday night.
After North Montgomery (3-1) led at the first quarter break 11-7, Charger Coach Chad Arnold decided to use a 1-3-1 half-court trap which seemed to throw the Patriots off balance. One reason might be that the Chargers’ defense was the first time all season they did not play man-to-man. To make it even more impressive, Charger coach Chad Arnold said he hoped his team remembered how to execute the trap.
“The trap really worked and made it difficult for Seeger to get into their offense,” Arnold said. “The guys did well even though we had not really practiced it this season. I knew they ran it last year and we used a little this summer, but the guys played it well.”
While the defense slowed up the Seeger offense in the second quarter, Charger senior guard Jaron Bradford got hot.
Bradford scored 12 of his game-high 25 by shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the field including two 3-point baskets. He was also 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
“Jaron (Bradford) had a real nice game for us,” Arnold said. “He did a good job hitting shots in the offense and did not force anything. He is locked in and has been practicing really well.”
Seeger (2-3) continued to struggle in the second half. North Montgomery outscored the home team 29-23 in the final 16 minutes. North’s largest lead of 19 points came at the 5:53 mark of the final quarter.
The Chargers suffered through some foul trouble during the entire game. In fact, several junior varsity players stepped in and played well which impressed Arnold.
“We had a lot of JV players who came in the game because we got ourselves in a little foul trouble,” Arnold said. “Kolton Scrimager, Nick Norman and Jakob Kirsch all did an excellent job for us.”
North Montgomery senior Preston Shaw joined Bradford in double figures by scoring 11 points. However, seven Chargers broke into the scoring column.
Seeger was led by freshman Owen Snedeker and junior Kahl Stephen who each scored 15.
The Chargers out-rebounded the Patriots 28-24 with Bradford and Zak Searle hauling down seven boards apiece.
North Montgomery travels to Harrison tonight. The Raiders are off to a good start and Arnold said his team will accept the challenge.
“Harrison is tough and they are playing well,” Arnold said. “It is a fun challenge and that is why you play basketball.”
North Montgomery 62, Seeger 49
N. Montgomery 11 22 13 16 – 62
Seeger 7 13 13 10 – 43
Scoring: NM - Jaron Bradford 8 5-5 25, Preston Shaw 5 1-4 11, Kade Kobel 1 6-9 8, Zak Searle 3 1-1 7, Keifer Carmean 1 3-6 5, Jack Thompson 2 0-1 4, Logan Kelly 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 10 15-24 62.
Seeger – Jordan Gates 0 2-2 2, Peyton Laffoon 0 0-0 0, James Sprague 2 1-2 5, Elijah Greene 0 0-0 0, Khal Stephen 4 7-13 15, Jared Gates 0 0-0 0, Logan McFatridge 0 0-0 0, Kolton Pearson 3 0-1 6, Owen Snedeker 6 3-4 15 Totals 15-38 13-20 43.
Three-point shooting: NM 2-9 (Bradford 2-4, Kelly 0-5) Seeger 0-8.
Rebounds: NM 28 (Searle 7, Bradford 7) Seeger 24 (Pearson 6, Snedeker 6)
Turnovers: NM 11, Seeger 17
Fouls: NM 19, Seeger 15 (Fouled out Seeger- Snedeker)
