NEVC boys race past Bronaugh

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

WALKER -- The ability to beat the press proved key for the Northeast Vernon County High School boys basketball team in a 65-57 victory over Bronaugh on Monday night.

The Knights scored several key hoops in transition during a first half spurt that put them in front for good against the rival Wildcats. And when Bronaugh made a run late in the game, the Wildcats once again were able to break free for a few key layups.

"We like to run the court and our transition offense is where we were able to run away from them," NEVC Coach Brian Sprouse said. "It was all fast breaks. We've been working on our press break a lot."

Bronaugh led 25-21 in the second quarter when NEVC sped up the game and used a 15-2 run to pull away for a 36-27 halftime lead.

"Our transition defense was really poor," Bronaugh Coach Jim Hillman said. "I think we got a little over-aggressive with our pressing."

The scrappy Wildcats cut into NEVC's lead in the third quarter, taking advantage of turnovers and missed free throws. By the end of the third period, NEVC's lead was only 48-44.

"Bronaugh did a good job of making some runs," Sprouse said. "They stayed with us. I thought they did a good job against our man-to-man defense."

But the Knights pulled away by beating the press for easy hoops once again. Jacob Bell scored two layups, Cody DeOrnellis had one breakaway layup and Grant Davis scored in the lane and NEVC led 62-53 with just under two minutes to play. Those hoops all but sealed the win. A senior post player, Davis poured in 27 points for NEVC.

"We just couldn't match up with Grant very well," Hillman noted.

Davis also started several fast breaks by dominating the glass and finding his guards with long outlet passes.

"He's good inside," Sprouse said. "Grant hit the boards pretty good."

NEVC's Bell, a senior guard, added 20 points, while Tanner Stutzman chipped in 11 points for the Knights, now 4-2. Sprouse noted his team's defense was another key to victory.

"Defensively, we've improved incredibly," Sprouse said. "Overall, we were pretty good defensively tonight."

Bronaugh struggled shooting the basketball all night against the Knights' half-court defense.

"We couldn't throw it in the ocean," Hillman said. "I think we shot 20 percent from the field. And Davis rebounded everything so we didn't get many second-chance opportunities. That was the key."

Junior guard Patrick Hallam led Bronaugh with 16 points. Tyler Murphy scored nine, while Chance Wait and Blake Hudson added eight points apiece for the Wildcats, now 3-4 overall.

"Overall, I was very pleased with our effort," Hillman said.

Hillman added there's no shame in losing to a solid team.

"Honestly, I think Northeast is the best team in the conference," he said.

Girls game

Bronaugh's girls used a 15-0 run to pull away for good in a 47-33 win over Northeast Vernon County on Monday night.

NEVC struggled taking care of the basketball throughout the game. Bronaugh led 26-14 at the half and kept the lead the entire second half.The Wildcats led by 15 points with only three minutes remaining in the contest.

RaeAnn Mader scored 16 points to lead the Wildcats. NEVC's Camile Buttorff scored 21 of her team's 33 points.

NEVC boys 65, Bronaugh 57

BR 13 14 17 13 -- 57

NE 13 23 12 17 -- 65

Northeast Vernon County: Davis 11 5-10 27, Bell 7 6-9 20, Stutzman 4 3-4 11, Lyness 1 0-0 3, DeOrnellis 2 0-0 4. Totals 24 (1) 14-23 65. Three-pointer: Lyness.

Bronaugh: Willis 2 1-2 5, Cliffman 1 1-4 3, Hallam 7 0-0 16, Murphy 4 1-2 9, Wait 3 2-5 8, Cox 1 0-0 2, Hoye 2 2-3 6, Hudson 4 0-0 8. Totals 22 (2) 7-16 57. Three-pointers: Hallam 2.

Bronaugh girls 47, NEVC 33

BR 13 13 12 9 -- 47

NE 5 9 7 12 -- 33

Bronaugh: Mader 16, Ussery 8, Arens 6, Householder 6, Campos 4, Hartman 4, Hagerman 2, Piper 1.

NEVC: Conner 6, Buttorff 21, Haddix 6.