TOWER CITY — Minersville’s experienced offense managed to close out a 67-58 road win at Williams Valley Monday .
First-year coach Chris George acknowledged how much he appreciates his veteran Battlin’ Miners (7-1; 5-1) bunch which clamped down and outscored Williams Valley (4-4; 3-3) by six points in the second half.
“Usually the goal is to shoot well early and we were trying not to settle too much,” said Minersville head coach Chris George. “It’s no secret we shoot a lot of three’s so we’re going to have confidence in it.”
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Williams Valley’s Evan Achenbach (11) dribbles the ball as Williams Valley hosts Minersville, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Williams Valley’s Chris Dickerson (4) dribbles the ball as Williams Valley hosts Minersville, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Williams Valley’s Chris Dickerson (4) dribbles the ball as Williams Valley hosts Minersville, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Williams Valley’s Bryce Zilinski (15) high fives Williams Valley’s Chris Dickerson (4) as Williams Valley hosts Minersville, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Williams Valley’s Evan Achenbach (11) dribbles the ball as Williams Valley hosts Minersville, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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SEE FULL PHOTO GALLERY: Minersville boys basketball beats Williams Valley
Shazier Bethea hit some early three’s and led Minersville with 21 points while Chase Zimerofsky and Jordan Bowers each poured in 17 points.
“It was a team effort and guys were filling gaps, getting open and knocking shots down,” said Bethea. “It’s good when we can get extra shots off and it’s nice when I can rebound and feed our shooters.”
Bethea hit a three and Bowers went underneath for a layup and the 12-10 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter. Another Bethea three put the Battlin’ Miners ahead 15-10 just moments later.
“I can spread the floor out and get around defenders, get to the basket or kick out to shooters and you can’t guard all of us,” said Bethea. “Just getting more experience with each other helps us out a lot.”
Bethea closed the first quarter with 10 points for Minersville’s 17-13 lead.
Williams Valley’s Gabe Rodriguez hit a three to bring the deficit within 25-22 with two minutes left in the first half. Evan Achenbach then hit a three to knot it at 25-25.
Zimerofsky hit a three with 52 seconds left for the 28-25 halftime lead.
“We have four starters from last year’s team so the foundation is strong and Shazier (Bethea) may be the best player in the league,” said George. “He calms us down and makes the big play.”
Rodriguez hit a pair of three’s to start the second half to bring the Vikings deficit within a 33-31 deficit before knotting the score at 35-35.
“It’s great to get tested in a gym like this on a night we don’t shoot well early,” said George. “This is the kind of stuff we need though if we’re going to make a run in leagues or districts.”
Bowers knocked down a three to put Minersville ahead 38-35 before another three gave the Battlin’ Miners a 43-38 lead. Zimerofsky then hit a three for the 47-40 lead at the end of the third quarter.
“They were outhustling us a little bit and then we got the hang of it and started scoring again,” said Bethea. “We’re getting closer every day.”
Things got physical in the fourth quarter when Minersville drew nine shooting fouls and connected on 11 free throws while Bethea hit another three and scored seven points.
Achenbach got to the glass for six points while Chris Dickerson and Rodriguez each hit fourth quarter three-pointers for Williams Valley.
Bowers added a three and closed the fourth quarter with seven points to hang on for the 67-58 win.
Rodriguez led Williams Valley’s offense with 17 points, Achenbach scored 15 points and Bryce Zilinski had 11 points.
Minersville 67 — Adams 0 0-0 0, Rogers 3 4-9 11, Zimerofsky 6 3-3 17, Fessler 0 0-0 0, Bethea 7 3-6 21, McGrath 0 0-0 0, Seddon 0 0-0 0, Pepin 0 0-0 0, Toth 0 0-0 0, Bowers 5 4-4 17, Mealey 0 0-0 0, Plesnarski 0 1-2 1.
Williams Valley 58 — Rodriguez 6 0-0 17, Dickerson 2 0-0 6, Rautzahn 0 0-0 0, Achenbach 7 0-1 15, Kandybowski 3 0-0 8, Zilinski 5 0-1 11, Esh 0 0-0 0, K. Zilinski 1 0-0 2, Dickerson 0 0-0 0.
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