Somerset ends season for Bellefonte boys’ basketball

Swarming with hands up and quick feet, Somerset’s 1-2-2 fullcourt press was a nightmare for the Bellefonte boys’ basketball team to handle.

It was something the Red Raiders hadn’t seen all year, and it showed.

Nine turnovers in the first quarter and 18 total by the Red Raiders set the tone on Monday night, as Bellefonte (6-17) was outmatched 59-45 by Somerset in the District 6 Class AAA quarterfinals at Hollidaysburg High School.

Bellefonte’s season is over, while Somerset (19-5) moves on to face Johnstown, a 56-46 winner over Bedford.

Despite a regular season winning percentage of .375 and a 1.55 rating by the district, Bellefonte coach Darin Hazel wanted his team to compete in the playoffs for a few reasons — one of which was on display early.

“It was the nerves,” Hazel said, recalling how flustered his guards were when dealing with Somerset’s press. “We just haven’t been in these situations. We need to see these situations to grow as a player and a person.”

The Eagles had no reservations about creating stressful circumstances for the Red Raider ballhandlers. Somerset coach Scott Close called his team arguably the fastest team in the district, and he utilized that advantage.

“Our defense and press caused all types of trouble for them,” Close said. “We wanted to do it tonight to establish ourselves early, so we didn’t have anyone thinking they would stick around with us for awhile.”

The Eagles’ dominance was unquestionable after the first eight minutes. Not only did they initiate three steals in the opening 60 seconds, but Somerset continued to build on it, sparking a 9-0 run off five forced turnovers in the first 2 1/2 minutes.

The Eagles closed out the first quarter with a 19-6 lead, and after they bullied Bellefonte into another three turnovers in the second, Somerset held a 33-16 halftime advantage.

The Eagles’ attack was led by senior captains Dylan Barnes and Jake Heiple. Barnes had 12 points, eight of which were in the second quarter, while Heiple notched a game-high 14 points.

Barnes said he and his teammates were motivated by holding Bellefonte to zero points in the early goings.

“We had a goose egg there for a couple minutes, and we worked off that,” Barnes said. “We moved off that fastbreak.”

Hazel took notice.

“We can’t replicate that speed at practice,” the coach said. “It’s a learning lesson for them.”

The Red Raiders didn’t wilt, though, especially point guard Tyler Kreger. The junior calmed the offense down in the second half, and hit a few buckets along the way, finishing with a team-high 10 points.

Senior forward Bryce Steiner trailed with nine points, and four players — Hunter Knisely, Kellen Moss, Caleb Rockey and Dylan Deitrich — chipped in five apiece.

Regardless of how lopsided the defeat was — Somerset’s lead was well in the 20s before pulling its starters — Hazel was proud of the way his team handled itself in the second half, and, the whole year.

“We had some rough stretches. We have all year,” Hazel said. “The thing I’m proud of though is after each game, we’ve had opposing coaches, fans, athletic directors say how great these kids represent Bellefonte. ... I’ll hang my hat on that and not the wins and losses everybody thinks about.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Somerset ends season for Bellefonte boys’ basketball."