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Sunday, January 18, 2009
Graham dominates at Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament
Brook Cupps and his Graham High School boys basketball team left Trent Arena with a lot more fans than they may have had before their game at the Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Click here for coverage from all the games at the Flyin’ to the Hoop.
Click the jump for more on Graham.
Offensive arsenal: Senior Josh Schuler struggled in the first quarter, missing several 3-point shots. But he was still able to pour in 30 points.
“He finds different ways to score,” Cupps said. “He missed a couple three’s early, then gets a couple backdoor cuts, then gets a post touch and make a couple free throws and that makes three a little easier to make. He’s on a great team in terms of guys being able to get him the ball. You have to be really disciplined to guard him and be able to do it consistently.
Squeak: In the second quarter, junior Ryan Zook was all over the floor. He scored six straight points and had several big steals and assists to help the Falcons start pulling away. He’s affectionately called Squeak by Cupps and his teammates.
“He’s just one of those little pesky guys who you want to kick your leg and get him off of you,” Cupps said. He’s one of those kids who seems like he’s always around the basketball. He’s perfect because he fits his role on this team and he’s happy with it. He does what he can do and he guards the ball so well.”
Home again: For senior guard Ben Rosenberger, it was his second trip back to Fairmont’s Trent Arena — where he used to suit up for the Firebirds as a freshman and sophomore. The Falcons beat Chaminade-Julienne at Trent Arena earlier this season.
“It’s always fun to come back,” Rosenberger said. “It’s a nice place.”
Big stage: It didn’t take long to realize the Falcons weren’t shaken by the crowd one bit.
Rosenberger and Schuler each admitted to having some nerves before the game, but they said that happens before every game.
They quickly dictated the style of the game. The Falcons didn’t get caught up in Ripley’s need for a fast-paced game. If not for Ripley’s ability to nail 3-pointers in the first half, the lead might’ve been bigger than 11 before halftime.
“We knew that was what they wanted to do and taking that away is not an easy thing to do,” Cupps said. “After halftime, I felt like we sured up our helpside and our on-line, up-line and I’m sure some of it had to do with fatigue
After wins over C-J, Future Prep Academy, N.C. and Ripley this season, the Falcons are proving they’re not afraid to play anyone.
“They’ve played so much basketball that it really doesn’t bother them,” Cupps said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Boys Basketball, Graham High School
Hickenbottom helps WLS take two-game lead in OHC
The unbeaten (Tigers 12-0, 9-0 OHC) now have the inside track on the OHC title. They’ve won or shared the last three in a row.
For more on Hickenbottom’s big night, click the jump
In the first half, the Tigers struggled against the Cardinals 1-2-2 half-court trap that’s been stifling opponents all season. They made one big adjustment in the second half that helped them outscore Triad 20-3 in the fourth quarter.
“Putting Haleigh in the middle of the press breaker was big for us,” said WLS coach Dennis McIntosh. “She was able to create shots for other people and not just herself. She just made some great decisions.”
“I knew coming in she needed 25 points to get to 1,000 and she’s only been averaging about 15 a game, so we really didn’t think she’d do it tonight, but she had a great game for us,”
Hickenbottom said the key was penetrating through the Cards defense and getting the ball to posts Becka Peterson and Brooke Mayse.
“We knew getting it inside would be key,” Hickenbottom said. “We wanted to get their big girls in foul trouble like we did at home.”
McIntosh is happy to have a comfortable two-game lead in the conference, but isn’t taking anything for granted. They play at second place Southeastern (11-3, 7-2 OHC) on Dec. 29, but the Trojans would need to beat WLS and get some help to nab a share of the title.
“We’ve still got a lot of road games left,” McIntosh said. “We’ve got to be ready to play and keep working to get ourselves better.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Girls Basketball, Ohio Heritage Conference, Triad High School, West Liberty-Salem High School
