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Many happy returns: Tigers trounce Clinton, 68-28
Following a two-week Christmas break the Nevada Tigers returned to the court in spectacular fashion Friday night, steamrolling the visiting Clinton Cardinals, 68-20, and moving their record to 8-0.
The Tigers started slowly, trailing 9-8 after the first period.
Sparked by the play of Dalton Gayman and Logan Applegate the second quarter was a vastly different story, with the Tigers opening the frame on an 18-2 blitz, punctuated by back-to-back-to-back Gayman buckets.
Gayman and Applegate, the potent inside-out duo, combined to outscore Clinton 24-7 in the second quarter, with Gayman detonating for 14 of his career-high 32 in the frame.
Just prior to the halftime horn Applegate whipped a one-handed pass to Logan McNeley for a right-wing triple, and a 38-16 advantage.
The second half didn't provide the Wynn Gym packed house with much suspense, Nevada's offensive fireworks, however, continued well into the third. The Tigers opened the half on 6-0 run, capped by Gayman's coast-to-coast lay-in, for a 28-point cushion.
Gayman then caught fire from long-range, knocking down three consecutive three's, as Nevada's lead swelled to 61-24 at the conclusion of the third.
Despite the juggernaut offensive performance, Nevada head coach Shaun Gray said he was most pleased with his club's defensive effort.
"They say defense doesn't take a night off," Gray began. "Our guys came out from the tip defending like we've seen them defend all season long."
After a sluggish opening frame on the offensive end, Gray said the Tigers did a better job of "playing through the post."
"Whether that was a post entry (pass) to Dalton, whether that was dribble penetration into the paint, or whether that was cutting through the paint. Just making them guard inside-and-out opened up our offense a little bit."
In addition, Nevada's transition offense was superb.
"We were able to really get out and run a little bit," he said. "Get Dalton some early touches before they were able to flood the paint with defenders."
Added Gray: "I think those two things were key. Playing through the post in the halfcourt, and then getting out in transition to get the ball to the rim, and into Dalton quickly."
In addition to Gayman's game-high 32, Applegate tallied 15, while Logan McNeley chipped in eight.
Looking ahead, there do not appear to be many road-blocks remaining between Nevada and an undefeated regular-season. The Tigers' biggest challenges will likely derive from the upcoming Kaminsky Classic in Joplin. The Tigers will potentially have to contend with tough opponents Webb City or William Chrisman on their side of the bracket, and Francis Howell if they advance to the title tilt.
Nevada also closes out the regular-season with a non-conference road clash against former conference foe Kansas City Center.
"Those are teams that we would have to play really well to beat," Gray noted. "It will be a tough task at the Kaminsky next week, but it will be good for us — because there are teams there that will help us prepare for postseason play. We're taking it one game at a time, and hopefully we keep getting better, and keep it rolling next week."
JV and frosh
Nevada's junior varsity team dispatched Clinton, 45-33, improving to 4-3 on the season. The Tiger JV team was paced by Owen Swearingen's game-high 15, while Eli Cheaney added eight.
Nevada made it a tripleheader sweep of the beleaguered visitors, as the freshman team drilled Clinton, 50-19. For Nevada (6-1) Drew Beachler and Gavin Morgan finished with 11 points apiece.
Lady Tigers
The Lady Tigers were on the road at Clinton Friday night, prevailing 50-47. The victory ups Nevada to 7-1.
For Nevada, senior forward Teagan Charles poured in a season-high 14 points, while point guard Calli Beshore added 13 in the winning effort.
In the junior varsity game Nevada rolled to a 34-21 win, improving to 7-1. Lady Tiger sophomore forward Claire Pritchett concluded with a game-high 12 points.
In the C-team contest Nevada emerged with a 35-23 victory, as freshman guard Kirstin Buck tallied a game-high 14 points.