Kromka-led Gateway subdues cold-shooting Greensburg Salem

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 2, 2018 | 10:18 PM

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Shots clanked off tight rims and offensive flow took the night off.

Greensburg Salem had one of those head-in-the-hands performances against visiting Gateway. The Golden Lions did not score a point in the third quarter, managed just seven total field goals and could not contain the Gators’ 6-foot-8 big man, John Paul Kromka.

It all added up to a 44-27 senior night loss in Section 3-5A on Friday in Greensburg.

That’s the bad news.

But here’s the good news: Greensburg Salem (10-8, 3-6) still made the WPIAL playoffs because Franklin Regional defeated Armstrong.

After a rough night, that had to be the consolation prize in a somewhat subdued locker room after the loss.

“We couldn’t hit water if we fell out of a boat,” Greensburg Salem coach Craig Mankins said. “We had good shots, we just couldn’t make anything. We’re actually pretty pleased with how our defense played. If you had told me we’d hold Gateway to 44 points, I’d have thought we’d be in pretty good shape.”

Gateway (10-8, 6-3), which had already clinched a playoff spot, pounced early in the first meeting, shooting over 65 percent from the field in a 67-44 victory. The Gators needed much more time to take control this time, finally getting a double-digit lead in the third, when the Gators outscored the Golden Lions, 11-0.

“The first half was ugly; no one made shots,” Gateway coach Daryn Freedman said. “We stressed more help-defense at halftime and played better.”

Gateway presented problems for the Lions with pressure and a sagging zone.

Greensburg Salem focused on Kromka but seemed hesitant to drive against the Gators on offense.

“A key point in the game was when Gateway had five rebounds on the first possession of the second half,” Mankins said.

The first half seemed like it was played in slow motion. The teams traded bumps and fouls in halfcourt sets and combined for only nine field goals, just three by Greensburg Salem, as the Gators took a 16-13 lead.

It was much of the same after the break as sluggish play was interrupted in spurts by Kromka, who did his damage in the paint. He outscored the Golden Lions himself in the third, 7-0, as the Gators increased their lead to 27-13.

Kromka finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds.

“He made up for a lot of our missed shots,” Freedman said. “They double-teamed him and really played him tough.”

Golden Lions senior Marvel McGowan finally got something going late, but the damage was already done. McGowan scored 11 of his team-high 17 in the fourth, where Gateway pushed the lead to 44-23 on a putback by Nate Roper.

The Gators made some nice touch passes in transition.

McGowan, who made 13 of 17 free throws, was presented a basketball during pregame activities recognizing his 1,000 career-points milestone.

Greensburg Salem was averaging close to 75 points per game through 10 games. But its average has dipped to 59.4.

Kromka was 9 for 9 from the foul line.

Greensburg Salem has not been to the playoffs since 2014-15. With three games left, they are trying to secure their first winning season since 2011-12.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Gateway, Greensburg Salem