As "Catholic Schools Week" came to an end, the Ironton St.

Sunday, February 06, 2000

As "Catholic Schools Week" came to an end, the Ironton St. Joe Flyers proved who had the area’s best Catholic schools’ basketball team this season.

The Flyers handled the Huntington (W. Va.) St. Joe Fighting Irish for the second time this season with a 62-43 romp Friday night.

"That’s two games in a row we’ve held teams in the 40s, and we gave up 58 to (the Irish) at their place, so that’s an improvement," Flyers coach Kevin Sheridan said. "Our defense is playing pretty well and this is a good time of the year for the defense to be coming together."

John "Bub" Waginger and first cousin Eric Waginger combined for 37 points , 13 rebounds, six assists, and seven steals as the Flyers improved to 11-5 on the season, guaranteeing a second straight winning record for the first time since the 1951 and 52 teams won 21 and 17 games in back-to-back seasons.

"Bub got in a little foul trouble the first half, but he came back and played well. His performance was the key to the game," said Sheridan.

Adam Gursky had 11 points and Ryan Cole 10 for the Irish.

Bub Waginger knocked down seven points the first quarter as St. Joe jumped on the Irish 13-4.

Eric Waginger scored six points the second quarter as the lead went to 26-15 at the break.

"It was a physical game," said Sheridan. "We had some turnovers the second quarter, but that’s because we were a little lazy with the basketball. Down the stretch we maintain our composure and hit some key baskets. Every time they made a run, we’d answer."

Bub Waginger came back to score 11 points the third quarter to make it 43-29.

Rusty Yaniko came off the bench to score seven points the fourth quarter and Andy Stack added seven of his nine points.

"Rusty gave us some big minutes. His 3-point play was big. And Andy Stack had another big game for us," said Sheridan.

The Flyers play at South Gallia Tuesday and host Div. IV power Green next Saturday.

Hunt. St. Joe 4 11 14 14 – 43

Ironton St. Joe 13 13 17 19 – 62

HUNTINGTON ST. JOE: Seth Blatt 0 0 4-5 4, Adam Gursky 3 1 2-2 11, Ryan Cole 2 1 3-4 10, Alex Boyer 0 0 0-0 0, Ben Ferguson 2 0 3-6 7, Chris Evans 0 1 0-2 3, Chad Lake 2 0 0-0 4, Corey Johnston 0 0 1-2 1, Martin Cherry 1 0 1-3 3. Totals: 10 3 14-24 43. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: None. Technical: Gursky.

IRONTON ST. JOE: Danny Stack 0 0 0-0 0, Bub Waginger 2 3 6-9 19, Eric Waginger 6 0 6-8 18, Andy Stack 2 0 5-6 9, Bill Dressel 2 0 1-2 5, Chris Laber 0 0 0-0 0, Matt Frazer 2 0 0-2 4, Rusty Yaniko 2 0 3-3 7. Totals: 19-41 (3) 21-30 62. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: A. Stack. Rebounds: 6-21=27 (B. Waginger 5, E. Waginger 8, A. Stack 4, Frazer 4). Turnovers: 6. Assists: 7 (B. Waginger 3, E. Waginger 3). Steals: 12 (A. Stack 4, E. Waginger 4, B. Waginger 3). Blocked shots: E. Waginger 1.