Ware powers Silverado surge to beat Foothill

Before the game, Silverado boys basketball coach Martin Ferriter preached to his players about defense. At halftime, he lectured them about offense.

The team took care of the defense, and senior guard David Ware handled the offense with 13 of his game-high 21 points in the third quarter. The eighth-ranked Skyhawks used two scoring bursts in the second half to upset sixth-ranked Southeast League rival Foothill 62-45 on Monday at Silverado.

"At halftime, Coach talked to us about pushing the lead," said Ware, who also had five rebounds. "That's what we did."

Foothill kept it close throughout the first half and took a 28-27 lead when Greg Cox nailed a 3-pointer with 6:08 left in the third quarter.

Silverado's Justin Johnson answered with a 3-pointer to spark a 12-0 run, and Ware hit three 3-pointers in the quarter to put the Skyhawks (15-3, 6-1 Southeast) ahead for good.

"Anybody could have done it," said Ware, whose 3-pointer produced a 42-32 lead late in the third. "I just got some open looks because my teammates kept finding me."

Foothill (9-9, 5-2) fought back to within 45-39 on Elijah Smith's layup and free throw with 5:53 left. But Silverado shut down the Falcons and reeled off 10 points to lead 62-42 with two minutes left.

Ferriter said he wasn't worried when his team led only 24-23 at halftime.

"We have some kids who are real veterans," he said. "I always feel like one of (them) will establish himself in the second half. Tonight it was David."

Johnson scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half for Silverado, and Ruben Jackson supplied nine points and six rebounds.

Smith topped Foothill with seven points and three steals, and Cox, Brannon Cresanto and Austin Starr finished with six points apiece.