The Lakemont Park Summer League Division 5 title game on Wednesday night was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Budget Beverage managed to come out on top with a 38-26 victory over Barton’s Plumbing & Heating, thanks in part to John Berwager’s 13 points, leading all scorers in the game.
Missing key offensive players like Jarod Brumbaugh and Johnny Franco, Budget Beverage knew they had to work hard for their points. Berwager emphasized the importance of getting good shots in the right places with the right people and credited their success to hitting the boards hard and limiting second chance shots for Barton’s.
Val Mignona and Berwager were instrumental in providing early offense for Budget Beverage, with Mignona scoring nine points and Berwager hitting a crucial 3-pointer in the first half. Carter Cerully and Derek Vaughn contributed to Barton’s scoring efforts, but they struggled to keep up with Budget Beverage’s size and defensive pressure.
Despite Barton’s efforts to make a comeback in the second half, Budget Beverage maintained their lead with Tom Smith making key plays on both ends of the court. The game turned into a free-throw competition, with Budget Beverage shooting 14-for-22 from the line compared to Barton’s 7-for-15.
Berwager praised the experience and skill of his teammates, many of whom have been playing for decades, highlighting their ability to perform at a high level even at their age. The game was officiated by Jim Campbell, Jerry Kaufmann, and Brett Dongell.
In the end, Budget Beverage’s strong defense and efficient scoring proved to be the difference-maker in securing the Division 5 title. Despite the offensive struggles, both teams showed determination and sportsmanship throughout the game, making for an exciting and competitive matchup in the Lakemont Park Summer League.
