~by Taylor Teays for The Scranton Journal
The Greene County boys basketball team notched their first victory of the season by downing Saydel last week. The girls team showed offensive improvement but came up short on the scoreboard.
Ram boys – The boys team fought their way to pick up their first win of the season, beating Saydel 57-52 on the Eagles’ court Dec. 19.
It was a neck and neck game throughout the night, with Saydel leading after the first quarter, but their lead was quickly lost as the Rams took charge of the court and didn’t let it up throughout the game.
Gabe Ebersole registered a double / double with 24 points on the board, making three 3-point shots and seven free throws and hauling down 10 rebounds. Nathan Behne was also credited with 10 rebounds and two assists, netting six points in the game. Brynley Ruzicka put 15 points on the board with six rebounds and two assists.
Team stats: FG 15/46; 3PT 4/19; Effective field goal percentage 37%; FT 23/36; Rebounds 38; Assists 7; Steals 7; Turnovers 9; Fouls 26.
Ram girls – The girls basketball team stayed close in the game at Saydel High School last Tuesday, but was unable to pick up a win, falling 68-49.
In the first quarter, the Rams put 10 points on the board, only trailing by one to the Eagles’ 11 points. In the second quarter, the Eagles were able to pull ahead, with the Rams trailing 32-23 at the halftime break. Forty-nine is the most points the Rams have scored this season.
For the final game of the 2023 portion of the season, Makenna Ebersole led the team on the scoreboard, putting up 16 points, with one of two 3-point shots successful. Ebersole and Emma Shipley had nine rebounds and one steal each. Grace Hardaway grabbed four. Kaycee Pittman passed for six assists with Shipley and Payton Kokenge credited with two each.
Each team had 18 turnovers with the Rams fouling 24 times and the Eagles 21 times. The Rams made only 20 of 72 attempted field goals, but were successful with five of 11 attempted free throws.
Team stats: FG 20/72; 3PT 4/30; Effective field goal percentage 30.6%; FT 5/11; Rebounds 38; Assists 11; Steals 7; Blocks 2; Turnovers 18; Fouls 24.
