The Greenview Rams used a staunch defense and transition hoops to run away from visiting Southeastern 76-56 in Ohio Heritage Conference play at Gary Bradds Memorial Gymnasium in Jamestown Friday night.
After the Trojans opened the second quarter with a 3-point goal to cut the lead to 20-18 Coach Kyle Fulk's Rams used a 16-3 run to build a 36-23 lead at the 1:22 mark. Southeastern had a spurt of their own to trim the halftime deficit to 37-27.
Greenview's next run came in the final 3 and a half minutes of the 3rd, a 14-2 spurt that put the game out of reach at 61-38. During that time the Rams caused 8 Trojan turnovers, matching the number the Trojans had in the first half. The barrage continued in the final stanza, as Southeastern finished with an unofficial 23 miscues in the game.
"Greeneview is excellent," noted Trojan first year Head Coach Christopher Stout. "They execute their game plan very well. They are a tough team, well coached and my hat's off to them for how they played tonight. I look for them to go pretty far in the postseason."
The Rams, who's experienced senior class made a run to the Cincinnati District Division III finals as sophomores, saw four players reach double figure's on the night. Carter Williams led the way with 18. Classmate Myles Witt added 17, Jordan Erisman 16 and Ethen Caudill chipped in 11.
" A lot of kids in this class have played almost 90 varsity games for us," explained Coach Fulk. "It helps that teams can't just focus on one or two guys. A lot of them can handle the ball and a lot of them can shoot it."
Fulk added that the turnover and transition game has been a focus since the teams summer conditioning days.
"Transition from defense to offense is what we have focused on all year. We feel like some of the teams we play can match us athletically but we might have an advantage over a lot of teams we play. So if we can create those cheap buckets that is what we want to try to do. Pressure defense is our thing. Trying to create as many possessions as we can. Our kids do a great job of that. If 23 is the number of turnovers we created tonight, that's awesome."
Greeneview heads into tomorrow's Cincinnati Sectional draw with an overall record of (17-3) and are (14-1) in league play. After going undefeated on their home court for the year, they have two remaining road games, a non-league matchup at Kenton Ridge and a trip to Springfield Central Catholic for what amounts to the OHC title game next Friday.
"The kids want the outright title," notes Fulk. "They do not want to share it. We got them earlier, but we know they will want to get us on their home court. It will be a great atmosphere, but we do not want to get ahead of ourselves. K.R. is a tough, physical team. First things first."
The Rams were moved from the D-III Dayton Sectional Draw to Cincinnati a few years back. Fulk is looking for a top level seed at tomorrow's coach's seeding meeting.
"We should be toward the top. There are three sectional brackets down there. Madeira looks like a one and Summit Country Day is up there, so we should have some options. We'll see where it falls when it is our turn to choose a bracket. Hopefully some of the Cincinnati area coaches have done some research on us so they know we are a pretty good team. The kids are motivated to back to the district final and hopefully further."
As for Southeastern, Coach Stout sees a bright future for his club, now (5-10) in the league and (8-12) overall.
"We are very young this year. We will be returning almost everyone. We are still learning each other. They are learning me and I am learning them. I am very excited about our future."
Author's note. I know it sounds cliche', but I have been doing this for 42 years now and I know that it is impossible to put together a good story without the help of the coaches and the access granted by the schools. My thanks to the very gracious Greeneview A.D. Mark Rinehart and their official scorer Jane, who was kind enough to tolerate my presence at the scorer's table and gave me a look at the official score book at game's end. Also to the young lady Ram's student working at the concession stand, whose hard sell of the giant dill pickle was on the money! It was delish.
Thanks for reading.
After the Trojans opened the second quarter with a 3-point goal to cut the lead to 20-18 Coach Kyle Fulk's Rams used a 16-3 run to build a 36-23 lead at the 1:22 mark. Southeastern had a spurt of their own to trim the halftime deficit to 37-27.
Greenview's next run came in the final 3 and a half minutes of the 3rd, a 14-2 spurt that put the game out of reach at 61-38. During that time the Rams caused 8 Trojan turnovers, matching the number the Trojans had in the first half. The barrage continued in the final stanza, as Southeastern finished with an unofficial 23 miscues in the game.
"Greeneview is excellent," noted Trojan first year Head Coach Christopher Stout. "They execute their game plan very well. They are a tough team, well coached and my hat's off to them for how they played tonight. I look for them to go pretty far in the postseason."
The Rams, who's experienced senior class made a run to the Cincinnati District Division III finals as sophomores, saw four players reach double figure's on the night. Carter Williams led the way with 18. Classmate Myles Witt added 17, Jordan Erisman 16 and Ethen Caudill chipped in 11.
" A lot of kids in this class have played almost 90 varsity games for us," explained Coach Fulk. "It helps that teams can't just focus on one or two guys. A lot of them can handle the ball and a lot of them can shoot it."
Fulk added that the turnover and transition game has been a focus since the teams summer conditioning days.
"Transition from defense to offense is what we have focused on all year. We feel like some of the teams we play can match us athletically but we might have an advantage over a lot of teams we play. So if we can create those cheap buckets that is what we want to try to do. Pressure defense is our thing. Trying to create as many possessions as we can. Our kids do a great job of that. If 23 is the number of turnovers we created tonight, that's awesome."
Greeneview heads into tomorrow's Cincinnati Sectional draw with an overall record of (17-3) and are (14-1) in league play. After going undefeated on their home court for the year, they have two remaining road games, a non-league matchup at Kenton Ridge and a trip to Springfield Central Catholic for what amounts to the OHC title game next Friday.
"The kids want the outright title," notes Fulk. "They do not want to share it. We got them earlier, but we know they will want to get us on their home court. It will be a great atmosphere, but we do not want to get ahead of ourselves. K.R. is a tough, physical team. First things first."
The Rams were moved from the D-III Dayton Sectional Draw to Cincinnati a few years back. Fulk is looking for a top level seed at tomorrow's coach's seeding meeting.
"We should be toward the top. There are three sectional brackets down there. Madeira looks like a one and Summit Country Day is up there, so we should have some options. We'll see where it falls when it is our turn to choose a bracket. Hopefully some of the Cincinnati area coaches have done some research on us so they know we are a pretty good team. The kids are motivated to back to the district final and hopefully further."
As for Southeastern, Coach Stout sees a bright future for his club, now (5-10) in the league and (8-12) overall.
"We are very young this year. We will be returning almost everyone. We are still learning each other. They are learning me and I am learning them. I am very excited about our future."
Author's note. I know it sounds cliche', but I have been doing this for 42 years now and I know that it is impossible to put together a good story without the help of the coaches and the access granted by the schools. My thanks to the very gracious Greeneview A.D. Mark Rinehart and their official scorer Jane, who was kind enough to tolerate my presence at the scorer's table and gave me a look at the official score book at game's end. Also to the young lady Ram's student working at the concession stand, whose hard sell of the giant dill pickle was on the money! It was delish.
Thanks for reading.
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