Kyle Siegfried wakes Johnstown in victory against Licking Valley

On Jan 25, 2023

JOHNSTOWN — The Johnstown boys basketball team found itself in all too familiar position Tuesday, but junior Kyle Siegfried provided the jump-start the Johnnies needed.

Siegfried came off the bench to score Johnstown’s first five points and later hit two clinching free throws to give the Johnnies a critical 53-46 victory against visiting Licking Valley in the Licking County League-Cardinal Division race. The Johnnies (10-6, 7-3) remain two games behind rival Northridge.

“There are a lot of games we start off slow, and it’s just important for everybody on the team to pick it up,” Siegfried said. “When I do come off the bench, I feel it brings a spark, and the whole team starts playing better.”

Johnstown trailed 8-0 five minutes in when Siegfried scored on a drive with his left hand, and he followed with a 3-pointer on the next possession.

The Johnnies tied the game at 17 late in the second quarter on a 3 from senior Drew Brett. A 3-point play for junior Brady Barb followed to give the Johnnies their first lead, and Barb later hit a 3 as the teams were tied at 23 at halftime after sophomore Owen Hottinger hit a jumper for the Panthers (6-10, 4-6).

“I’m really, really proud of (Siegfried),” said Johnstown coach Max Shawver, shaking his head at his team’s frequent slow starts. “He has faced some ups and downs and adversity this year, but he really came out of his shell tonight. It started on the defensive end tonight. He got us going a little bit.”

Senior Caleb Schneider ensured Johnstown would start the third quarter quickly, hitting a trio of 3s. Senior Cody Siegfried’s 3-point play off a putback moved the lead to 39-30, and Kyle Siegfried‘s 3 to start the fourth quarter increased it to 12.

The Johnnies maintained that lead until sophomore Chase Vermilion’s 3-point play and classmate Jacob Wheeler’s following steal and basket cut into it with less than three minutes left. The Panthers’ run eventually grew to 10-2, and they had possession with a chance to tie, trailing 49-46 during the final 30 seconds, but Schneider ran the ball-handler off the 3-point line and eventually forced a turnover on the drive.

“We could have easily folded,” Valley coach Mikey Flowers said. “I am really proud of the guys for fighting back. We cut it to three and had a chance to take a shot to tie it. We ended up not getting one … If we clean a few things up here and there, we’re in position.”

Kyle Siegfried hit both ends of a 1-and-1 after the turnover, and Cody Siegfried hit two more free throws in the final seconds after a Valley miss. Kyle Siegfried led the Johnnies’ balanced attack with 15 points, and Cody Siegfried was right behind with 14 ahead of Schneider’s 12 on his four 3s.

“I haven’t been the greatest free-throw shooter this year, but I was able to knock some big ones down at the end,” Siegfried said. “It was all of my teammates having my back and letting me know to calm down.”

Valley showed no ill effects from a 68-44 loss to Licking Heights last Friday. Working in the pick-and-roll, Wheeler scored Valley’s first two baskets, and he then twice assisted classmate Gunner Bowman.

That success opened up the paint for Vermilion, who scored 11 of his team-high 15 points after halftime to keep the Panthers breathing. Bowman added 14 points and Wheeler 12.

“I was happy to see Wheels finally get going. He’s a great player, and we have been waiting on him to take over some of that leadership,” Flowers said. “He had a nice night for us, so I was really happy for him.”