Balanced scoring guides United boys basketball past Conemaugh Township

DAVIDSVILLE — Senior Dmitri Worthington delivered a game-high 21 points, including six 3-pointers to lead unbeaten United past Conemaugh Township 68-56 in a Heritage Conference boys basketball showdown, Monday, Jan. 5.

The Lions made 12 threes on the night. It was United's second victory over Conemaugh Township in an 18-day span.

Advertisement

"They took care of the basketball, and we lost some defensive assignments," said Conemaugh Township coach Chuck Lesko. "Against a good team with a couple of good shooters, you can't afford to lose any assignments, or they will make you pay, and they certainly did."

Top performers Top basketball, rifle, swimming, wrestling performers for Jan. 5-10

Milestone night Windber senior surpasses 1,000 career points in girls basketball win

Conemaugh Township (10-2) led 19-14 after one and extended its advantage to 36-30 at the break.

However, United came out with guns blazing in the third. The Lions went on a torrid 15-4 run for a 45-40 lead.

Advertisement

Conemaugh Township senior Colin Dinyar, who had a team-high 17 points to go along with nine rebounds, stopped the bleeding with an old fashioned 3-point play and scored again to even the game.

However, back-to-back threes by Worthington and Cole McGinnis gave the Lions a 53-47 advantage. They led 53-49 after three.

Conemaugh Township senior Stephen Stango tried to propel his team back into the game in the fourth. He stroked a triple and scored again to pull his squad within one at 57-56.

But United (10-0) put the game on ice with a three by junior Brody Burkett with 2:43 to go. The Lions also made 7 of 8 attempts from the charity stripe down the stretch.

Senior Carter Payne had 15 points and junior Ryan Felix added 13 for the Lions.

Advertisement

Erik McClemens chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for Conemaugh Township, a team with its focus on what lies ahead this season.

"We learned we have to do some things a lot better if we want to compete at the highest level," Lesko said. "We got taught a lesson tonight, and hopefully we can learn from it."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: United boys basketball hands Conemaugh Township 2nd loss of season