|
Last update: 02/03/08 |
|
Game Summary: Amherst 12/07 |
|
Avon Lake Shoremen
|
|
Amherst Comets |
|
VS |
|
Avon Lake vs. Amherst KEN FIORE , Morning Journal Correspondent Avon Lake played a nearly flawless fourth quarter on both offense and defense, which was enough to break open a tight game and beat Amherst, 61-52, in last night's hardwood action. The win moves the Shoremen to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Southwestern Conference play. The loss drops the Comets to 1-2 for the season, 0-2 in SWC play. The two teams battled through three quarters, with Avon Lake holding a slight edge. When Amherst's Jake Diaz hit a bucket with six minutes left in the game, the Shoremen lead was just 52-50. The Comets' offense disappeared in those last six minutes, as the Shoremen upped their defensive pressure. The result was a 9-2 Shoremen run that clinched the win. The Shoremen defense held the Comets scoreless until Connor Weir's lone bucket with 1:13 left in the game. ''The fourth was a big quarter,'' Avon Lake's Parker Russell said. ''On defense we shut them down, and we were shooting the ball pretty good.'' Pretty good indeed, as the Shoremen shot 100 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, making 7-of-7 shots. Russell and his teammate Jeff Ickes each hit three baskets, and Russell was a force on the backboards, helping limit Amherst's scoring opportunities. ''In the fourth quarter we did what we wanted to do in the first three quarters,'' Avon Lake coach Eric Smith said. ''We executed on offense and defense. Defensively, in the first half, we were terrible.'' The brightest light in the first half was Tommy Kuzniar, who continued his red-hot shooting. He was 6-of-6 from the field with four 3-pointers, including one from beyond the half-court line as the first-quarter buzzer sounded. ''I'm starting to get used to it,'' Smith said. ''Tommy is now 26-of-29 from the field and 10-of-10 on 3s for the season. I expect him to play well.'' Amherst's best run came with 1:45 left in the second quarter, and the Comets down, 30-22. The Comets took advantage of two Avon Lake turnovers to blast out a 9-1 run that tied the score at 31-31 at the buzzer. Adam Crnobrnja ignited the run with a 3-pointer. ''We missed a lot of scoring opportunities especially layups and 3-4 footers,'' Comets coach Phil Schmook said. ''In the fourth quarter, we let them get any shot they wanted, anyplace on the floor. We have advantages when we are in full court transition, but we're not taking those advantages. I have to demand that.''
|
|
Varsity Recap: |
|
|
|
Junior Varsity Recap: |
|
Team |
1st |
2nd |
Total |
|
Avon Lake |
31 |
30 |
61 |
|
Amherst |
31 |
21 |
52 |
|
Team |
1st |
2nd |
Total |
|
Avon Lake |
|
|
67 |
|
Amherst |
|
|
30 |