JEFFERSON—Jefferson outscored visiting Harvey 20-6 in the first quarter and never looked back in a 67-51 Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division victory on Friday.
With the win, the Falcons snapped a two-game losing skid and are back to .500 with a 5-5 mark overall and improved to 3-2 in league play.
“We want to get out and run on offense,” said Jefferson head coach Rob Pisano. “It all starts with our defense though; we went with a zone tonight to keep Harvey from getting to the basket.”
Anthony Covetta had a big night as he finished with a game-high 30 points while hauling nine rebounds.
Joe DeGeorge delivered a double-double as he scored 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.
No shot was bigger for DeGeorge than the first basket of the second quarter, which pushed him over the 1,000-point mark for his career.
“It’s been a big goal of mine for my senior year, it means a lot,” DeGeorge said. “It feels good to reach it this early on.”
Pisano was pleased with his players’ performances, and how well they rebounded the ball.
“I thought Joe rebounded the heck out of the ball,” Pisano said. “He controlled the glass and Harvey didn’t get many second opportunities; Anthony has been scoring that way all season for us.”
Jefferson took a 36-17 lead into the break, and the Falcons were able to hold on with a big 31-point second half.
“I wanted us to treat the second half like the score was 0-0 and work on our half-court offense,” Pisano said. “That’s something that we struggle with. We’re going to need it down the stretch of tight games.”
During halftime, Pisano emphasized to his players the importance of staying focused in the second half despite the big lead.
“When you have a lead like that, don’t become lackadaisical,” he said. “Work on the little fundamental things that you’re weaker at.”
Joel Navarro contributed big in the first quarter, scoring six of his 10 points to lead Jefferson’s 20-point quarter.
Terry Brown and Dylan Beede both finished with five points each and Robbie Pisano contributed with two points.
Jefferson’s last two games have been decided by five points or less, including an overtime loss.
“We needed a win like this,” Pisano said. “We had a double-overtime loss on Tuesday to Edgewood, and a buzzer-beating loss to Madison; our guys needed one like this.”
Harvey fell to 6-6 on the season.
Armani Hall led the Red Raiders with 20 points. Davon Badley finished with 10 points and Chaise Goines pitched in with eight.
Jefferson hosts Geneva while Harvey visits Madison on Tuesday.
