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Tigers nab third-place at Clinton Tournament
The Nevada Tigers shredded Knob Noster 68-40 en route to a third-place finish Saturday afternoon at the Clinton Boys Basketball Tournament. With the victory, the Tigers improve to 12-5 overall (5-1 in the West Central Conference).
"While it is disappointing we did not get to play for the championship," Nevada head coach Shaun Gray said, "we are happy to have finished the tournament playing good basketball and on a high note. We look to carry this momentum into the last month of the season."
Nevada post players Clay Gayman and Patrick Ferry were too much for Knob Noster to handle, as the interior-duo combined for 12 first quarter points off of six field goals, helping Nevada to a 17-5 cushion entering the second quarter.
"We did a great job of using our size advantage to create easy scoring opportunities," Gray said. "That tough inside-defense helped our offense, and led us to a quick 11-0 start to the game ---- and the boys never looked back."
As Gray noted, Gayman's defensive prowess was on full display, as the 6-foot-5 sophomore racked up eight first half blocks.
"Any time another player from Knob tried to score the basketball Clay was there to protect the paint," Gray said.
After outscoring Knob Noster 19-6 in the third quarter, Nevada led 36-11 at halftime.
"We defended extremely well in the first half," Gray said, "denying their best player, Lucas Rinker, and forcing other players to make plays.
"Myles McNeley, Brett Mitchell, and Cody Leeker rotated the assignment of guarding Rinker throughout the first half and all did an excellent job."
Led by Derek O'Dell's 8 third quarter points, Nevada outscored Knob Noster 21-14 as they led 57-25 after three quarters of play.
"In the second half Knob tried to take away our inside game by collapsing more defenders," Gray said. "But when they did that our guards were able to make shots to help extend our lead. Myles, Brett, and Zach Gardner all hit second half threes to help us pull away."
Leading by 32, the Tigers put it on cruise-control in the fourth quarter as they coasted to the decisive victory.
The Tigers we led by Gayman who nearly notched his third triple-double of the season, finishing with a game-high 20 points, to go along with 13 rebounds and 8 blocks. Ferry added 15 points, O'Dell 12, Gardner 10, McNeley six, Brett Mitchell 3, and Matthew Sommer two.
"Our balance offensively was nice to see, and while Matthew didn't score as much as we are accustomed to, he attacked all game and helped create opportunities for his teammates" Gray said.
"Matthew's numerous assists got multiple players into double-digit scoring. Clay also passed the ball well when double-teamed leaving Knob Noster with no answers defensively."
For the contest, The Tigers knocked down four 3-pointers while connecting on 7-of-9 free throws.
Up next
The Tigers return to conference-play, as they host the Clinton Cardinals tonight for a boys basketball triple-header, with the varsity contest slated for a 7 p.m. tip.