Bellwood-Antis beats St. Joseph Academy
“Anything can happen with hard work and dedication,” said former NBA star Jerry West.
Last night that is exactly what happened for the Bellwood-Antis boys’ basketball team at home against Saint Joseph’s Academy.
Not only did the boys overcome an early deficit, but a star player reached a lifelong goal and coach Brent Gerwert achieved a career milestone.
Although Saint Joseph’s proved to be a tough team to beat, the Bellwood- Antis boys’ played with hard work and determination and were rewarded with a 75-66 victory.
Junior Nathan Davis led the team with 37 points. Junior Jake Burch (12) and sophomore Joey Padula (10) also helped the team by scoring double figures.
Davis scored his 1,000th career point in the game while shooting a foul shot in the third quarter, which at the time gave him 32.
Davis admitted later, “I didn’t realize that I was that close to 1,000 points (when I had the foul shots).”
When asked how important scoring 1,000 points as a junior, Davis, whose brother Noah hit the milestone as a senior, wasn’t really sure what to say, but he knew it was a big deal.
“It was pretty cool to do it, especially at a home game,” he said. “As for doing it during my junior year, it’s good because now I can focus on what’s really important; keeping the team together and winning as many games before my career is over.”
Davis will spend the rest of his career at B-A chasing down his coach, who is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,647 points. But Gerwert hit a milestone of his own last night, registering the 100th win of his career.
Now 6-3, the Blue Devils play at home tomorrow against Bishop Guilfoyle.
In other action last night, the Lady Blue Devil basketball team topped Penns Valley 68-32 in Spring Mills.
Sophomore Karson Swogger led B-A with a game-high 25, and senior Ana Hollen poured in 21.
The Lady Devils are now 7-1.
