Just 48 hours after tying a school record for three-pointers in a game, Lehighton proved it can be a force in the paint as well.

The Indians shot layup after layup to build a commanding first half lead against Panther Valley and rolled to a 75-31 mercy rule victory in the Schuylkill League opener for both teams on Monday.The performance came on the heels of a rout of Pen Argyl on Saturday during which the Indians drilled 14 threes, including 10 by Jordan Knappenberger.Last night, Lehighton made just one shot from behind the arc in the opening half. Instead of relying on the perimeter game, the Indians flexed their muscles around the rim as 14 of their 17 field goals came from in the paint."Pen Argyl played a zone against us on Saturday and let us shoot the ball from the perimeter," said Lehighton coach Rich Oertner. "Tonight, Panther Valley was extending its man-to-man defense so we took it to the basket. You have to take advantage of what teams give you and that's what we've done so far this season."Tyler Crum led the Indians' assault on the rim during the opening half with 12 points as the Indians built a 37-19 halftime lead. Lehighton also got plenty of inside points off its defense (nine first half steals) and offensive rebounding (12 in the half)."This was probably our best game so far this season," said Oertner. "We didn't have the defensive lapse that we seemed to go through in our first few games."We also passed the ball really well. We found the open man and got good looks at the basket."Lehighton took its play to an even higher level in the third quarter as it exploded for 29 points, including 16 from Knappenberger, to increase its advantage to 66-27 heading into the final quarter."They're a good team," said Panther Valley coach Pat Crampsie. "They have a bunch of kids who make plays. But we need to play better. We knew coming into this game that we had to play tough and scrappy if we were going to have any chance and we didn't do that."We had 30 turnovers, only attempted two free throws, and got killed on the boards. That's not playing tough and scrappy."Lehighton (4-0, 1-0), has improved in each game it has played this season. That's something that Oertner is happy about, but not surprised by."We start four football players so they are just starting to get back in basketball shape," said Oertner. "Their shooting touch is coming back, their passing is coming back."We have a pretty athletic group of kids and that has carried us early in the season. But every game our basketball skills have been getting a little sharper."Knappenberger led the Indians with 21 points. Crum added 17 points and six rebounds, Tyler Williams continued his strong early-season play with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, and Nick Chambers had six points and seven boards.While Oertner is happy with the improvement his team is showing, Crampsie wants to see more from the Panthers."It's frustrating," he said. "I have to re-evaluate some things, both personnel wise and also coaching wise. Because what we are doing now obviously isn't working."All I ask is that we show up and compete each game and we improve as the season goes on. I can handle losses against good teams, but our effort level has been very inconsistent and that's something I won't tolerate."Anthony Micholik and Ethan Vermillion both had eight points off the bench to lead Panther Valley (1-4, 0-1).PANTHER VALLEYKeo 0-0-2-0, Dubosky 1-0-0-2, Vermillion 3-0-0-8, Stanko 0-0-0-0, Micholik 3-0-0-8, Nase 2-0-0-4, Miller 0-0-0-0, Hudicka 1-0-0-3, Eickoff 0-0-0-0, Weng 0-0-0-0, Blasko 3-0-0-6, Emmert 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 13-0-2-31.LEHIGHTONRuzicka 3-1-2-7, Cordova 0-0-0-0, Crum 8-0-0-17, Zwetolitz 1-0-0-3, Ortiz 1-0-0-3, Williams 5-1-2-12, Mele 1-0-0-2, Skrimcosky 1-0-0-2, Buchinsky 1-0-0-2, Manogue 0-0-0-0, Budinger 0-0-0-0, Chambers 3-0-3-6, Knappenberger 9-0-0-21, McDowell 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 33-2-7-75.Panther Vy. 13 6 8 4 - 31Lehighton 24 13 29 9 - 75Three-pointers: PV - Vermillion 2, Micholik 2, Hudicka 1. L - Knappenberger 3, Crum 1, Zwetolitz 1, Ortiz 1, Williams 1,