First-place Newark keeps foot on gas pedal, stifles Central Crossing
NEWARK ― Any doubts about Newark treating its game against last-place Central Crossing as a breather Friday were quickly erased when it went out and played smothering defense.
The Comets struggled through 31% shooting (12 of 38), including 3 of 17 on 3s, and had no double-figure scorers in the 57-29 Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division loss to the first-place Wildcats in Jimmy Allen Gymnasium.
"It's a league game, and we approach it the same as we do Pickerington Central or Reynoldsburg," said junior role player extraordinaire Austin Rose, who helps provide the muscle in Newark's suffocating man-to-man defense. "One year, we lost to Lancaster, and it cost us the league. It was a lesson for the future."
The Wildcats (8-1, 3-0) also ran efficient offense, with Steele Meister's 22-point, eight-rebound, four-assist effort coming in less than three quarters on stellar 10-of-13 shooting. Braylon Morris added 14 points on his birthday, including 9 in a decisive third quarter, as Newark hit 23 of 43 for 53%.
But defense is what gets coach Jeff Quackenbush excited.
"It's a practice mindset, and it's what coach teaches us," Rose said. "If we're doing it in practice, we go out and perform at that level in games."
Said Quackenbush: "The kids did a great job sticking to the game plan. They knew what they (the Comets) did well, and they executed and played with intensity, which is the way we have to play all the time."
Meister had 14 of his points in the first half, scoring on a variety of drives and moves into the paint as the Wildcats eased into a 28-16 halftime lead. Providing an unexpected boost was sophomore Bodie Smith, who continues to play key minutes with starter Ethan Stare still sidelined by a back injury.
Smith drove for a 3-point play, had 4 first-quarter points and finished with 6 in nearly 20 minutes of action.
"It's hard coming up from jayvees," said sophomore point guard Ty Gilbert, who returned Friday after missing two games with a concussion. "I experienced it last year, but he's adapted."
Added Rose: "He's called on to do his job, and not only does he get the ball to Steele and Braylon, but he's ready to shoo."
Quackenbush noted that the more varsity ball Smith plays, the more comfortable he gets.
"Usually, it's on defense, but tonight, it was offensively as well," he said.
Morris took off in Newark's 22-point third quarter, making two foul shots, an NBA 3 off a Meister assist and cashing in a pair of floaters as the Wildcats opened a 50-27 lead.
Sophomore Jake Quackenbush, starting to find his varsity footing, made a pair of 3 pointers and chipped in with 8 points, three assists and six rebounds as Newark owned a 28-18 margin on the backboards. Kalen Winbush hustled for five rebounds in a relief role, while Gilbert led the defense with three steals in his 22 minutes.
The coach was glad to have his point guard back.
"It took a little time for him to get going, but it seemed like he did in the second half," he said.
"It's hard watching from the bench when you're used to playing in games," Gilbert said. "I was cleared Tuesday, and you try to get back into a rhythm, especially with the cardio."
He was happy with the way the Wildcats kept Crossing in check.
"We did a good job of pressuring their guards," Gilbert said. "We knew number 2 (Kent Hairston) was a big kid who could score really well. We kept our foot on the gas pedal."
The versatile 6-foot-5 Hairston was held to 5 points, while Robert Taylor came off the bench to notch a pair of 3s and score 9 to lead the youthful Comets (3-7, 0-3), with only two seniors on the roster.
"We were able to keep him (Hairston) out of the gaps," Quackenbush said. "We knew number 5 (Taylor) was an aggressive player, and we did a good job on him, too."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: First-place Newark keeps foot on gas pedal, stifles Central Crossing
