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Cavs pull away from 'Skins |
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Monday, 19 February 2007 |
By PHIL McLEAN
Staff Writer
COLDWATER — A spate of turnovers and a pair of unanswered scoring runs in the third period totaling 16 points powered the Coldwater Cavaliers to a 17-point margin at the end of the third period.
The large lead coupled with the Cavaliers connecting on 20-of-25 free throws doomed the Wapakoneta Redskins, who suffered a 70-53 non-league loss Saturday in varsity boys basketball action.
Recalling the turning point in the game, Wapakoneta coach Scott Minnig said three straight possessions when the Redskins committed turnovers and Coldwater took advantage of every one of them killed Wapakoneta’s chances. The Cavaliers converted 15 turnovers in the game into 24 points.
“They did a nice job at the free throw line,” Minnig said.
The Redskins gave every indication they would pick up where they left Friday when they downed the Bath Wildcats, 71-58. Senior guard Randy Schmerge opened the scoring, giving the Redskins an early first period lead. The Coldwater Cavaliers must have been unimpressed by the Redskins start and four-game winning streak. The Cavaliers battled to three ties and three lead changes.
The Redskins sophomore guard Jake Lambert tied the game at 11 with 3:10 left in the first period. As the clock ticked below the 2-minute mark, Coldwater’s Seth Kahlie drained a 3-pointer and Ryan Geier hit a second 3-pointer second later to open up a 17-11 first period lead. The Cavaliers would nail 8 total shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Cavaliers, staked to a first-period lead, never surrendered the lead again but the Redskins continued to hover.
After the Cavaliers hit a basket and a free throw to give Coldwater a 20-11 lead, Schmerge hit two quick baskets to bring the Redskins to within 3 points.
Coldwater took control and overwhelmed the Redskins, rushing to the lockerroom at half-time with a 35-35 lead.
Through three periods of play, Coldwater hit 5-of-6 from free-throw line, before hitting 15-of-19 in the fourth period alone and to take complete control of the game.
Three of the Redskins ended the game early via fouls as Schmerge, Kyle Maus and Derron Erb all picked up their fifth foul in the quarter.
Geier paced all scorers collecting a game high 23 points. Cory Klenke added 19 and Lefeld had 10, eight of them at the charity stripe as Coldwater improves to 10-9.
B.J. Reed was the lone Redskin in double figures scoring 12 in the game.
The Coldwater junior varsity took the opener 44-32. Drew Golden had 10 to lead the Redskin reserves.
Wapakoneta falls to 10-8 and will return home for a make-up game with Liberty Benton at 6 p.m. today. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 February 2007 )
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