Sperlazza’s 33 propels Brooke past Madonna
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WELLSBURG -- Brooke knew Madonna would try to take away Alex Isinghood and slow things down during Wednesday's meeting inside the Brooke Wellness Center.
The Blue Dons did, too, limiting the Bruins' standout to just four points and playing to an even, low-scoring first quarter.
However, Brooke showed it is far from a one-trick-pony as Cole Sperlazza exploded for 33 points in the game, nine in a second-quarter in which Brooke took a double-digit lead and never looked back, and led the Bruins to a 63-47 victory and a 2-0 start.
"Coach (George) Vargo has been around for a long, long time, they were up at our game against Oak Glen," Brooke coach Adam Shinsky said. "Oak Glen a little success slowing things down running Georgetown, I told the guys in the locker room coach Vargo saw that and they will be running Georgetown. They did, but we stuck to pressure defense and Cole got hot and we were able to speed the game up.
"Cole has put in a lot of work, he took to change and is playing as a two-guard this year after being a point guard last year. He put so much work in during the summer, working with trainers in Wheeling, playing in any league he could. I'm happy for him."
Backing up Sperlazza's big night was Jason Varner, who netted 17-points.
"Jason, he does every little thing win basketball games, but usually doesn't show up in the stat book," Shinsky said. "(Wednesday), he did in a big way."
While being limited in the scoring column, Isinghood found other ways to impact the game, racking up game-highs in rebounds (10) and assists (seven).
"We don't win that game without him," Shinsky said. "He's one of the best scorers in the Valley. He only had four points, but he controlled Evan Bone in the second half, did the little things and got the rebounds.
"I know it's just 2-0, but Brooke hasn't been 2-0 in a long time and they are 2-0 because everyone has accepted their roles and embraced them."
After the game was tied 10-10 after one, Brooke went on a 12-2 run in the second quarter to pull away. Madonna cut the deficit to as low as six in an evenly played third quarter, but the Bruins led by as many as 20 and had their biggest offensive output of the night in the final eight minutes.
"We chased and chased and chased the whole night, but my kids never gave up," Vargo, the veteran Madonna coach, said. "I'm proud of the kids. This is probably one of the better Brooke teams I've seen in 10 years. Sperlazza, Knox, Isinghood, are just nice ball players and (Varner) kept the rhythm going for them.
"We hustled, we never gave up until the last whistle."
Madonna was led by Evan Bone, who muscled his way to 15 points, mostly all in the paint. Matt Amaismeier collected 12 points and seven boards, while Santino Arlia dished six assists.
"I'm proud of Bone, he looked like an all-stater going in the paint, staying in the paint and finishing," Vargo said. "Matt gave us great defense and ended up being the second-leading scorer tonight.
"We made a few boo boos, but Brooke caused those. If we play like that the rest of the season, we'll be OK."
A NICE CROWD
The local foes were playing in front of a large, loud crowd.
"It was a great atmosphere," Shinsky said. "I loved it. We didn't have crowds like that last year. Madonna is a good team and going to do a lot of damage in Class A. I have a lot of respect for them."
Both coaches enjoyed it.
"I thank the Brooke fans and Brooke administration," Vargo said. "It was a good game for the counties, it was a good game for the kids. I enjoyed. It was a good game to coach in and I think it prepares us for down the road.
"This was a great atmosphere, it was a tournament-like atmosphere. The fans really came out."
UP NEXT
Madonna: Hosts Catholic Central in its home opener on Friday.
Brooke: Is set to host Big Red on Friday.
Brooke 63, Madonna 47
Madonna 10-8-14-15 - 47
Brooke 10-18-14-21 - 63
MADONNA (1-1): L. Amaismeier 1 0-0 2; Mascio 3 0-0 6; DoBrasko 0 4-4 4; Arlia 1 0-0 2; Dietrich 2 0-0 4; Muzzio 1 0-0 2; M. Amaismeier 6 0-1 12; Bone 6 3-4 15. TOTALS: 20, 7-9; 47.
BROOKE (2-0): Taylor 2 0-0 4; Knox 2 1-3 5; Isinghood 1 2-2 4; Sperlazza 13 2-3 33; Orban 0 0-0 0; Varner 7 0-0 17; Cipoletti 0 0-0 0; Fuscardo 0 0-0 0; Sperringer 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 25, 5-9; 63.