The Beaver Area High School boys basketball season was off to a great start. In fact, the Bobcats had the best start in program history at 7-0.
Since then, there have been a few bumps in the road. The Bobcats dropped three straight games. First, a tough section loss at Central Valley, 54-49. Then, the Bobcats dropped back-to-back games at the Central Valley Roundball Classic at Geneva College over the holiday break with losses to Baldwin 66-57 and Pine Richland 71-56.
However, the Bobcats have rebounded from the losing streak. The Bobcats got their first section win over Hopewell 65-50.
January 4, the Bobcats defeated a tough Neighborhood Academy squad at Burgettstown. The Bobcats were down 12-0 early in the game and were down 7 at halftime.
The Bobcats battled back and won 71-70. Sophomore Jake Peluso made the game-winning free throw. Senior guard Brady Mayo led the Bobcats in scoring with 22 points.
January 7, the Bobcats picked up a solid section win over Ambridge, but the Bobcats did struggle early on. Ambridge held a 7 point lead and led by as much as 10 in the third quarter. But the Bobcats stormed back led by an outstanding 39 point performance from Mayo.
Friday night, the Bobcats picked up arguably their best win of the season. The Bobcats defeated Quaker Valley on the road 63-49. Mayo had yet another monster performance, scoring 36 points.
Working in the Bobcats’ favor, the Quakers were missing some key pieces. The Quakers were without two starters, sophomore guard Sam Chapman and junior guard Zach Washington. If those two are back, it should be a great game February 4 when the Quakers play at Beaver.
Tomorrow the Bobcats host a massive section showdown against Avonworth. The Antelopes are currently undefeated in the section and have just two losses overall.
The Lopes are viewed by many as the favorite to win not only the section but the WPIAL 4A championship. The Lopes are led by senior guard Rowan Carmichael who averages 35 points per game and has been offered a scholarship by various Division 2 programs.
See you in the gym—and be sure to check the next BASD ECHO for season updates.