By Drew Terhall
DailyAdvocate.com
ANSONIA — Within the first spherical of this rivalry recreation, Ansonia boys basketball defended their house ground and gained 62-40 over Mississinawa Valley on Jan. 2.
Ansonia senior Ethan Reichert led the group with 34 factors within the victory. He sat out for a lot of the fourth quarter.
Head coach Tony Overton mentioned Reichert is a handful for groups to cope with. Overton additionally mentioned they’ve challenged Reichert this season to get essentially the most out of him and he has thus far responded nicely.
“We’ve sort of examined him somewhat bit this yr and he’s responded. I examined him yesterday, we had apply on New Yr’s Day. I pushed him somewhat bit and he gave us 34,” Overton mentioned.
The Tigers had a 27-21 lead at halftime. Reichert had 12 factors at halftime and was carrying a lot of the offensive load for Ansonia.
The Blackhawks have been hanging in there largely with their three-point capturing. They made 5 threes within the first half.
Mississinawa Valley did have some small victories getting stops within the paint towards Reichert, though Reichert gained the conflict.
Overton mentioned this season, they’ve blown leads or would go scoreless in quarters as a result of the choice making on offense hasn’t been constant.
Like within the first half, the group was rolling getting the ball inside to Reichert. Then, it simply stopped and the offense stalled for awhile. Overton mentioned he talked to the group at halftime to get the ball inside.
The numbers for Ansonia don’t look fairly due to these lapses. Overton mentioned the numbers don’t outline this group.
“We’ve been struggling. It’s been a tricky season. We’ve been capable of grasp with some groups for a few quarters after which once more, I mentioned it final yr, we undergo lapses. I advised the boys the stats and the report saids we’re a nasty group. I refuse to imagine that,” Overton mentioned. “I feel we’re an excellent group that makes actually dangerous choices.”
Ansonia opened up the primary 5 minutes of the third quarter on a 15-2 run. Reichert scored 12 factors within the third quarter. They have been additionally capable of get some open photographs off of Reichert kicking it out to the open man.
Overton mentioned the group will likely be in a great place if they will be taught from their previous errors and transfer ahead. Even whereas the teaching workers continues to be enjoying round with totally different rotations and discovering the very best match for everybody, Ansonia can compete with quite a lot of groups.
After their early success towards Reichert, Mississinawa Valley couldn’t include him for the second half. They have been outscored within the third quarter, 21-8.
The Blackhawks had some hassle offensively towards the ball stress from Ansonia. At occasions, they turned over the ball or couldn’t get a high quality shot off.
However, they nonetheless hung in and gave it their full effort. The offense nonetheless labored the ball round and so they obtained some open photographs to fall. The Blackhawks had eight made threes within the recreation.
The Blackhawks have proven indicators of enchancment on offense. After failing to attain 35+ factors of their first 4 video games, they’ve scored 40+ of their final 5 video games.
Overton mentioned Mississinawa Valley head coach Cole Hamilton is doing an ideal job with the group and has quite a lot of respect for what he’s doing.
Ansonia simply had extra expertise and have been juiced up for the rivalry recreation. Overton mentioned he’s pleased with the boys for executing the second half and desires them to carry that very same power to each recreation.
“There’s one thing about this rivalry that provides the children somewhat bit extra power, which I actually like that. However we nonetheless have to carry that very same power towards a special opponent,” Overton mentioned.
Sophomore Layne Bowman was the second main scorer for Ansonia with 9 factors. For Mississinawa Valley, sophomore Kyle Wehrkamp led the group with 11 factors and made three three-point photographs. Senior Aron Hunt had 9 factors.
Ansonia is now 3-6 with a 2-3 WOAC report. They are going to go to Tri-Village on Jan. 5 for his or her subsequent recreation. Overton mentioned they’ll should be on their A recreation to compete towards the gold normal within the WOAC.
Mississinawa Valley is now 1-8 on the season with a 0-5 WOAC report. They are going to go to Arcanum on Jan. 5.
Each video games are set for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.
Contact Every day Advocate sports activities editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]
Originally posted 2024-01-03 03:15:04.