WAVERLY'S DEFENSE LEADS TO 90-30 ROUT OF EDISON

By: Tim Birney | Waverly Athletics | January 3, 2022 | Photo courtesy Brian Fees

ELMIRA HEIGHTS — Waverly’s defense forced the issue, and the Wolverines blew the game wide open in the second quarter on its way to a 90-30 rout of Thomas A. Edison here Monday night in IAC South Large School boys basketball action.

“I think our depth and our guard play was pretty solid early on,” said Waverly coach Lou Judson. “Our press really bothered them … and a lot of our offense was created from our defense.

“And, we shot the ball pretty good, too,” he added.

The Wolverines shot 56 percent (39 of 70) from the field, including 47 percent (9 of 19) from behind the 3-point arc.

Sophomore Joey Tomasso pumped in 15 points in the first quarter, and seniors Liam Traub and Davis Croft each scored four to help the Wolverines to a 26-13 lead after the first eight minutes.

Senior Brennan Traub buried a trio of 3-pointers and scored 11 points, and senior Brady Blauvelt added four points in a 21-2 blitz that extended the Waverly lead to 47-15 at the half.

Seven different Wolverines put their names in the scoring column in the third quarter as part of a 26-9 run that put them up 73-24 entering the final eight minutes.

Waverly recorded 23 steals in the game, including 15 in the first half.

Tomasso had 20 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, seven steals, and four assists, and Brennan Traub scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and dished out four assists to lead Waverly, while Blauvelt had 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, 11 rebounds — including eight offensive boards, and one blocked shot.

Liam Traub had 11 points, four boards, four assists, and one blocked shot in the win, while Croft had 11 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, and three assists, sophomore Jake Benjamin chipped in with six points and seven boards, and junior Nate DeLill had four rebounds, four steals, and one blocked shot.

Waverly, now 5-3, hosts Newark Valley Wednesday.