By Staff
LOST SPRINGS – Putting four consistent quarters together propelled the Elyria Christian boys to a decisive 26-point, 65-39 win over Marion in their first game at the Centre Cougar Classic. Next up on Friday will be a battle with Rural Vista in the Classic semi-finals.
“This was a game we needed and which I believe we took a step forward,” explained Eagle head coach Zach Goodrich. “Marion has good size, athleticism and a physical style of play we do not always do well against. I felt we answered the call in an area that we just needed to get better at.”
The Eagles raced out to a 15-point, 17-2 lead by the end of the first quarter and then held off a Marion offensive flurry in the second quarter to hold a 16-point, 33-17, advantage at the halftime break. Despite Marion playing Elyria even up in the third, the Eagles were able to pull away for the final 26-point victory.
Consistency was the name of the game for the Eagles as they put 17 points on the board in the first quarter than recorded 16 points in each of the final three stanza’s.
Coach Goodrich continued his post-game reflections by adding, “The first quarter was a solid effort, and we have been working on starting games with more consistency on both sides of the ball. We have the ability, but sometimes lack the focus of doing our principles every possession. Offensively we found our spots and played well off each other. Fifteen assists on 21 made field goals is always a good sign of sharing the ball. We do continue to shoot the ball well from the free throw line and that will be important down the road during our February stretch of games.”
Ty Romero had the hot hand for the Eagles, making four three-pointers on his way to a team leading 28 points while James Schott chipped in with 15. Both Alex Robertson and Johnny Unruh had nine points as Robertson hit three three-pointers and Unruh connected on two.
Landon Schneider led the work in the paint with the team high six rebounds while Unruh was consistent all across the board with four assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals.
Goodrich concluded his reflections by saying, “Ty (Romero) played one of his best games of the season, he was extremely efficient and active on the defensive side of the ball. I was proud of him and how he responded as he as some special abilities and our goal is to help him do that every night because he can. James (Schott) is developing into a solid player and continues to learn as the season progresses. He is finding the driving lanes and finishing really well around the rim and as he is starting to see the openings and reading the floor at a good rate, that helps us spread the floor even more. His effort defensively continues to be the backbone for us and I am hopeful that our defense will get to where it needs to be by the time we get to next month.”
ELYRIA CHRISTIAN EAGLES vs. Marion at Centre Cougar Classic
SCORING: EAGLES > 17-16-16-16 = 65; Marion > 2-15-15-7 = 39.
TEAM STATS: EAGLES > 2-FGs – 12/18; 3-PTs – 9/25; FTs – 14/15; AST – 15; REBs – 24; TO – 12; STLs – 9; BLKs – 0; FLs – 13. Marion > 2-FGs – 13/23; 3-PTs – 3/18; FTs – 4/10; AST – 5; REBs – 25; TO – 20; STLs – 5; BLKs – 1; FLs – 16.
ELYRIA CHRISTIAN EAGLES INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS: Scoring > Ty Romero – 28; James Schott – 15; Alex Robertson – 9; Johnny Unruh – 9; Landon Schneider – 4. 3-Pointers Made > Romero – 4; A. Robertson – 3; Unruh – 2. Assists > Unruh – 4; A. Robertson, Caleb Laney – 3; Romero, Schneider – 2. Rebounds > Schneider – 6; Unruh – 4; Schott – 3; Romero, Laney, Dominick Lundberg – 2. Steals > Romero, Unruh, Schneider – 2.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)