Ross hits buzzer-beater as Council Grove wins, 57-56; Chase County boys fall
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Matt Ross banked in a 24-foot shot as time expired to lift the Council Grove boys basketball team to a 57-56 victory over Clay Center on Friday night.
“I don’t think he called glass on that one,” Council Grove coach Bruce Hula said, “but he got it to go.”
Ross finished with a game-high 18 points to lead three Braves in double-figure scoring. Clint Roddy added 16 points while Ethan Miller chipped in 15.
On a night when his team only shot 23 percent from the field, Hula said his players stepped up in other areas of the game to pull out the victory in their first game of the season.
“I thought both teams played well,” Hula said. “I think the difference in the game was our defense. We forced a lot of turnovers thanks to our pressure defense, and then we went 21 of 27 from the free-throw line, which really helped us.”
Brett Siegle had 4 points and Blake Mayer and Tanner Messer added 2 points each to round out the scoring for Council Grove.
The victory gives the Braves a good start after struggling in early games last season. Council Grove began with a 1-10 record last year before going 9-1 in league play to win the Flint Hills League championship.
Marion boys 61, Chase County 51
The Chase County boys couldn’t overcome a slow start in a 61-51 loss to Marion on Friday night.
The Bulldogs trailed 17-3 after the first quarter.
“I think part of it was nerves and part of it was missing the last two days of school,” Chase County coach Landon Hinkson said. “We were pretty rusty, and Marion was also unbelievably athletic.”
With four players over 6-foot-2, Marion pressured the perimeter, making it hard for Chase County to adjust and get good looks.
“Their athleticism and speed,” Hinkson said, “really caught us off guard for that first quarter.”
Trevor Johnson led the Bulldogs, scoring 22 points. Joe Heathman added 10, and Brian Palermo contributed seven. Chase County finished just 14 of 28 from the free-throw line.