Blue Devils get defensive in opening win

The smothering, physical defense of the Old Forge football team transferred over to the basketball court on Friday night as the Blue Devils held Wyoming Area to single digits in each quarter on their way to a 50-21 victory in the 18th annual Badger Game held at Wyoming Area.

The Badger Game honors the late Anthony Marseco, an Old Forge graduate and member of the 1992 PIAA championship baseball team and DIstrict 2 Class 1A champion basketball team, and former Wyoming Area basketball coach. The Blue Devils now lead the series, 12-6.

Old Forge (1-0) forced 14 first-half turnovers and limited the Warriors to just four field goals in the first 16 minutes as it took command. The Blue Devils also racked up six steals on the night.

Wyoming Area’s Mike Carey got Wyoming Area to within 5-4 with 3:30 left in the first quarter, but it would be the Warriors last bucket for the next six minutes as Old Forge went on a 14-0 run to take a 19-4 lead with 6:17 remaining in the second quarter.

Junior sharpshooter Jimmie Aversa spurred the run with eight points - including two three-pointers to get the Old Forge offense in gear.

The lead could have been bigger for the Blue Devils, but the visitors struggled from the free throw line in the first half, shooting just 1-for-8 from the charity stripe during the first two quarters.

Brian “Bubba” Tomasetti added eight of his 12 points in the first half - six in the second quarter - as Old Forge took a 23-10 lead at intermission.

Wyoming Area would get no closer as the Old Forge lead ballooned to 47-17 with 3:!5 left in the game. The Blue Devils outscored the Warriors, 27-11, in the second half. 

Aversa and Tomasetti each finished with 12 points to lead Old Forge. with Aversa burying three triples. Tomasetti added six rebounds, two steals and two assists.

Brenden Wahl added seven points, three rebounds and two assists for the Blue Devils, and Jake Manetti chipped in with six points, four rebounds and two steals. Jorden Sekol pulled down 12 rebounds for Old Forge.

The Blue Devils will host Northwest on Monday night, and East Stroudsburg Notre Dame on Wednesday. Old Forge the travels to Valley View on Saturday to take on the Cougars. That game will be broadcast on www.vvcougars.com.