Uniontown zones in, deals 1st loss of season to Latrobe
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Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 10:15 PM
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey drives to the basket between Latrobe’s Ian Decerb (5) and Andy Tatsch during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey scores his 1,000th career point against Latrobe on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Notorius Grooms blocks a shot by Latrobe’s John Wetzel during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Notorius Grooms celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Latrobe on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Isaac Ellsworth (11) celebrates with Cam Dugan after hitting a 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter against Latrobe during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey scores against Latrobe defenders on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey celebrates after being fouled by Latrobe’s Ian Decerb during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Latrobe’s Ian Decerb dunks against Uniontown on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Latrobe’s John Wetzel works against Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown head coach Rob Kezmarsky reacts from the bench during the Red Raiders’ game against Latrobe on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey battles Latrobe’s Max Butler for a loose ball during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Kelan Milsom scores against Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey celebrates after a Red Raiders’ score against Latrobe on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Latrobe’s John Wetzel drives to the basket past Uniontown’s Isaac Ellsworth during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Latrobe’s Ian Decerb dunks against Uniontown on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
Uniontown’s Notorius Grooms drives to the basket against Latrobe on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe.
You might say Uniontown was zoned in.
Zoned in on a big section game and now zoned in on a trip to the beach.
The Red Raiders went to a 3-2 zone in the second half and slowed down uptempo Latrobe, forcing the Wildcats into mistakes.
Their offense complemented the scheme, and an impressive victory followed.
A 29-point third quarter allowed visiting Uniontown to gain its footing and soundly dispose of previously unbeaten Latrobe, 81-53, on Tuesday night in Section 1-5A.
Shortly after the game, the Red Raiders boarded their bus and headed to the airport to catch a 2 a.m. flight to Florida for a Christmas tournament.
The trip would have been more daunting had they lost.
“We went to the zone because of foul trouble, and our guys did a great job with it,” Uniontown coach Rob Kezmarsky said. “They moved really well without the ball. Latrobe is a really good team, and they are really good at home. I have known (Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel) for 25 years. We know how they like to play.”
Led by its stellar backcourt of Calvin Winfrey and Notorious Grooms, who combined for 51 points, No. 5 Uniontown moved to 5-1 overall, 3-0 in section.
Latrobe, which was off to its best start since 2018-19, fell to 5-1, 1-1. The Wildcats were averaging 73.4 points.
“This was an anomaly in our season,” Wetzel said. “They hit that shot at the end of the first quarter, and we faltered a little. It kind of took the air out of us. We never got back on the gas.”
After Latrobe cut the deficit to 41-38 in the third, Uniontown ended the quarter with an 18-6 run — 14-0 in the final 2 minutes, 6 seconds.
Isaac Ellsworth came off a screen and hit a 3 to kick-start the decisive spurt.
Grooms scored on a break, and Kelan Milsom scored at the buzzer to make it 63-44 after three.
Calvin Winfrey led all scorers with 26 points, reaching the career 1,000-point mark, for the Raiders. He had 11 in the third.
“(Latrobe) came out and made some shots,” Winfrey said. “We did a good job in the 3-2. We pressured the ball.”
Grooms hit a pair of 3s in the fourth as the Raiders pulled away. He finished with 25 points.
Ellsworth finished with 13 points, and Milsom had 12.
John Wetzel led Latrobe with a season-high 21 points, and Max Butler added 11.
It was close early, and the game started with a breakneck pace. Until the Raiders bottled up the fast-paced Wildcats.
Uniontown, which averages 73 points, quickly erased a 12-6 deficit with a flurry at the end of the first quarter.
After Milsom made a layup for the Raiders, Ellsworth sank a 3-pointer from the volleyball line to give his team a 19-16 advantage.
Uniontown maintained its lead until halftime, stretching it to 31-24 before taking a four-point lead into the break.
“When we were the aggressor tonight, our kids did a great job,” Brad Wetzel said. “If you play hesitant against those guys, the results are clear as day.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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