Another costly fourth quarter

Berkeley Springs boys basketball team held a comfortable 58-47 lead after three quarters on the road against Petersburg on Wednesday, January 11, but the Vikings stormed from behind, outscoring the Tribe 24-7 in the final eight minutes, to send the Indians back to Morgan County with a 71-65 loss.

This was the second consecutive game against a sectional opponent that Berkeley was unable to protect a fourth-quarter lead, and has Indian coach Jeremy Horvat scratching his head.

"I really can't put my finger on it," said Horvat of the fourth-quarter collapses. “We are doing a lot of good things. We are building double-digit leads, now we just have to learn how to finish games off.
Having said that, you've got to give Petersburg some credit. They could have folded, but they didn't and I give their coach a lot of credit for that. They made some big three’s, and most of their free throws, when they counted."

Codie Rohrbaugh was the biggest thorn in the Indians side during the final eight minutes. Rohrbaugh who was held to eight points in the first three quarters, erupted for 12 fourth-quarter points, including six points from behind the arch to lead the comeback. Dan Alt, who had a game-high 26 points, added seven fourth-quarter points for the Vikings.

The Indians came out of the gate fast and built a 20-14 lead after the opening quarter. Derrick Cowles, Richard Recio, Ryan Tyser and Michael Twigg led the way, scoring four points each. Berkeley then extended the lead to 36-27 at the half, with Cowles, Twigg and Brady Spielman scoring four second-quarter points apiece.

Both offenses were clicking in the third quarter, with the Indians outscoring their Grant County rival, 22-20. Zach Wise, who had been quiet in the first half, scored 10 points in the quarter as the Indians stretched their lead to 11 points, 58-47.

Berkeley Springs offense went cold in the final quarter, while Petersburg had their most productive quarter of the game to pull out the come-from-behind win.

"We had a lot of good opportunities in the fourth quarter, but the shots weren't falling," Horvat said. “I looked at our shot chart and we had 10 shots inside the paint. They made shots and we didn't."

Although disappointed with the current four-game losing streak, Horvat isn't close to throwing in the towel.

"We have a lot to play for," said Horvat. “Actually we are still in the thick of things. We still have 11 games remaining in the regular season and the postseason. I am confident that we can play a little more consistently and get things turned around."

Brady Spielman, Wise and Cowles led a balanced Indian offense with 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively. Twigg added nine points, Tyser six, Jared Spielman five, Recio four, Kaleb Athey three and Matt Walters two for the Tribe.

Alt led the Vikings with 26 points and Rohrbaugh added 20.
The 4-7 Indians host Timber Ridge this Thursday, January 19, at 7 p.m.
Brandon Malone, BJ Michael, Michael Kearney and Jake Truax scored in double figures as the Berkeley Springs JV improved to 5-2 with a 55-50 win over Petersburg.

Malone scored 15 points, Michael had 12, Kearney 11 and Truax 10.