Rebels knock off Jay

MUNCIE - Most of the time, the team that controls the tempo will also end up with the victory. In the second half Friday night, that was the Rebels.

After Jay County and Muncie Southside combined for just 25 points in the first half, the Rebels piled up 42 on their own in the second. The more up-tempo style helped them hand the Patriots their first loss of the season, 58-52.

Southside (3-1, 1-0 Olympic Athletic Conference) changed its fortunes offensively by shifting from a 3-point shooting offense in the first half to a penetrating offense after the intermission.

"In the second half they finally figured out to attack, move it around, look for each other, take the shots when they're there," said Baumgartner. "And then the pressure was good for us.

"What got them going was going with the denial press. ... We thought about doing it earlier, but to go out and do it for 32 minutes and then turn around and play tomorrow night and do the same thing, we're not deep enough for that. We picked our spots."

The Rebels' quickness gave Jay County (5-1, 0-1 OAC) trouble throughout the game as it turned the ball over 18 times, including 11 in the second half. The Patriots out-shot Southside 51 percent to 35 percent, but attempted 11 fewer field goals than the home team.

"They sped us up," said JCHS coach Craig Teagle, whose team allowed an average of just 39.8 points in its first five games. "I think we wore down a little bit. Our depth is not where it needs to be at this point, but it'll get there I believe. We just need more experience on the court.

"It got too quick in the second half. Some of that was turnovers, and then we gave up some offensive rebounds."

Despite the hurried second-half pace, the Patriots were able to keep pace with Southside for a while. Adam Daniels even gave JCHS a one-point lead with a three-point play with 4.5 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Rebels' Bryce Long responded by going the length of the floor and hitting a lay-up at the buzzer.

"That was huge. Definitely," said Baumgartner. "This is one of those games that every play made a difference, but that one being at the end of the quarter was kind of a momentum-type play."

Southside proceeded to control the opening minutes of the final period, forcing several turnovers - a questionable charging call against Patriot senior Eric Homan was among them - and moving out to a 47-41 advantage.

Jay County pulled within four points on a Brad Horn free throw in the final minute, but never got closer.

Despite watching his team suffer its first loss, Teagle had a positive outlook.

"I'm disappointed that we lost, but I am proud of the kids' effort, proud of their fight," he said. "I saw the wind go out of our sails when there were 3-point plays or something, but then they picked back up ... I'm proud of them. They've been a good group. If they continue to fight like that ... they're going to find ways to win."

Southside launched 13 first-half 3-pointers, connecting on just one, before finding success driving to the basket and getting to the foul line in the second half. It also hit half of its six second-half triple tries and had four players score in double figures with Long leading the way at 13 points.

Sophomore Myron Anthony added 12 points, Jackie Thomas scored 11 and Darius Howell added 10.

"There were two things we emphasized after the New Castle game," said Baumgartner, who also got nine points from Jamal Wolfe of his team's only loss. "One was working on dribble penetration. And the other was functioning more as a unit ... We've got guys who can get to the hoop but you're not always going to be able to get there, especially against a Jay County because they're going to rotate over. You've got to be ready to kick to people, and I thought we did a pretty good job of that."

Led by senior Eric Homan's 10 first-half points, JCHS had a 20-16 lead at the break.

Homan, who hit each of his first six two-point field-goal attempts, finished with a game-high 17 points. He also grabbed five rebounds.

"He played really well," said Teagle, noting that Homan has been battling an illness all week. "He's a trooper. He played his guts out."

Brock McFarland added 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds.

Junior varsity

Jay County fell behind by double digits in the third quarter and went on to a 46-37 loss to the Rebels.

Matt Landfair scored nine points to lead the Patriots, who trailed 11-2 early before pulling within two points late in the first half. Southside responded with a four-point play with four tenths of a second left in the second quarter and pulled away in the third.

Kegan Comer added seven points for JCHS, and Drew Houck and Andy Haffner each scored six.

Doyle Wilson led a group of three Rebels in double figures with 15 points. McKenzee Nash followed with 11 points, and Darin Benford had 10.[[In-content Ad]]