By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
It looked good at the beginning but a second half cold spell dropped the Calhoun Red Devils boys team to a 40-29 season-opening loss to Roane County Wednesday night at Mount Zion.
The Devils were 1-21 last season but they appeared to be en route to breaking into the win column on the first night of the 2007-08 season when they roared to a 10-6 first quarter lead.
Behind the floor play of senior Josh DeWeese and Sophomore Justin Gerwig the Red Devils controlled the Raiders early on.
The trouble hit -- foul trouble.
First Gerwig, who finished with five points, picked up his third foul early and was forced to the bench in the first quarter after scoring four.
The DeWeese, who led the Devils with 16 points and 15 rebounds, picked up his third. Without the presence of those two inside the Red Devils offense sputtered.
Although Calhoun managed only four second period points they were still on top 14-12 at intermission.
More foul troubles to the Calhoun inside players in the third period once more held down the Red Devils' offense while allowing Roane to make more of a presence inside. The results was that Calhoun was held to six third period points while Roane netted 11 to go on top 23-20.
Following that Calhoun continued to sputter on offense while Roane rolled of its biggest quarter of the night to pull away slowly.
Calhoun coach Tim Moore said he was proud of Calhoun's defense and effort.
"It was good enough to win," he said.
But the offense did not perform as expected.
Overall Calhoun was 11 of 41 from the field and 5-11 from the free throw line. Calhoun, a team which usually scored several points on three-point shots, only managed one (by DeWeese) despite several open attempts.
DeWeese (16) and Gerwig (5) were backed in the scoring column by Josh Cain and Andrew Norman with four apiece. Harold McCumbers, Daniel Sims and Anthony Richards all played but did not score.
Roane had only one scorer hit in double figures as Josh Drake had 11 but six came in the final period keeping Calhoun from getting closer than 8-10 points.
Roane won the junior varsity game 67-18 struggled mightily in the first half scoring only two points on a pair of free throws.
Dennis Dye led the Red Devils with six points while Jordan Panarello added four points and six rebounds.
The were backed by Joe Overbaugh with three while Tyler Bennett and Richards had two each and Stuart Fitzwater one.
Greg Myers, Quenton Morgan, Noah Sweeney, Cai Clothier and Sims all played but did not score.
Calhoun returns to action Friday night at Mount Zion with a doubleheader against Braxton County. Roane is home to Point Pleasant tonight (Wednesday).
| 
