SLIPPERY ROCK — A day after a 19-point loss to Seneca Valley two weeks ago, members of the Slippery Rock HighSchool boys basketball team huddled in the locker room.

It was a no-holds-barred team meeting. Grievances were aired. The direction of the team was discussed.

"That was the turning point," said Slippery Rock coach SeanStrickland. "The kids got out what was going on and why we weren't playing with the same confidence we were playing with over the summer.

"We decided right then and there we weren't going to worry about wins and losses. We were going to be a loose, confident bunch."

It has worked. Following a 75-30 dismantling of Sharpsville at home Monday night, the Rockets are 3-1 since the team meeting. The only loss came against Region power Hickory.

The wins included the school's first ever at Franklin.

"I think the last four games we have played our game," Strickland said. "We've been having fun."

There was plenty of fun to be had against Sharpsville.

Slippery Rock (4-3) took a 17-4 lead out of the gate and led by 20 at halftime.

The Rockets were just getting started.

Slippery Rock began the second half with an 18-0 run and kicked the mercy clock into motion with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

"We're trying to play to our level every night, no matter who we are playing," Strickland said. "We're trying to use these three weeks to get better for when we start back up in region play. It was good we came out with intensity in both halves."

Four Slippery Rock players scored in double digits, led by Brian Kelly and Zack Ejzak, who both scored 15.

Kelly was 6-of-8 from the floor and scored seven of his points in the 18-0 run to start the second half.

"That was the best he has shot in the last two years, probably," Strickland said. "It's real good to see him playing with confidence and playing well."

Brian Giesler came off the bench to score 13 points and Matt Shearer added 10 for the Rockets.

Giesler hit three 3-pointers.

"We talked to all three of our guys coming off the bench in our rotation," Strickland said. "We told them we are really going to define their roles over the next five games. Tonight, they left Brian Giesler open and he shot the ball well. That's what he does best."

Derrick Orloski scored nine points, but he added 10 rebounds.

He was also a thorn in Sharpsville's side on defense.

"Derrick Orloski's role is to get rebounds and screen and that's what he did tonight," Strickland said. "If you play unselfish, good things will happen."

Slippery Rock and Strickland are hoping there are more good things in the future.

And it may all lead back to the team meeting in early December.

"We're getting a lot better leadership," Strickland said. "And it's really starting to show."

SHARPSVILLE 30Torin Karsonovich 2-4 0-0 4, Lee Holt 4-8 0-0 8, Josh Taylor 2-9 0-0 4, Jared Marrin 2-9 0-0 6, Chad Piccirilli 1-2 0-0 2, Sean Scarmack 0-1 0-2 0, Ben Davis 0-1 0-2 0, David Gill 0-3 2-4 2, Matt Totin 1-2 0-0 2, Mike McKelvey 0-0 0-0 0, John Leydic 0-1 0-0 0, Joe Perrillo 0-0 0-0 0, Jeff Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Dustin Sakony 0-0 0-0 0, Matt Ellison 1-1 0-0 2.

Totals: 12-41 2-8 30

SLIPPERY ROCK 75Ethan Geisler 3-8 0-0 7, Brian Kelly 6-8 1-3 15, Zack Ejzak 7-11 0-0 15, Matt Shearer 3-7 4-5 10, Derrick Orloski 4-9 1-2 9, BrantSloan 0-2 0-0 0, Nick Cress 1-1 0-0 2, Brian Giesler 5-8 0-0 13, Ryan Gordon 0-0 0-0 0, Alec McDeavit 1-2 0-0 2, Cole Knight 0-0 0-0 0, Justin Bennett 0-0 0-0 0, Steve Drake 1-2 0-0 2.

Totals: 31-58 6-10 75

Sharpsville 7 11 7 5—30Slippery Rock 19 19 24 13—753-point goals: Marrin 2; Geisler, Ejzak, Kelly 2, Giesler 3

Today: George Junior @ Slippery Rock