Patriots destroy Knights (01/16/06)

The Patriots were dominant Saturday. Well, those who were available anyway.

Jay County, short-handed thanks to an injury and a suspension, got big games from its remaining regulars in a 57-28 thumping of the visiting Northeastern Knights Saturday night.

A pair of Patriot seniors sat out the game, with Tyler Rigby taking the night off because of a back injury. John Retter was gone because of a mandatory one-game suspension after getting a technical foul and being thrown out of Friday night’s loss to Connersville.

But starters Corey Comer, Randy Evans and Scott “Scooter” Bruggeman finished with 14, 13 and 13 points respectively as Jay County rolled out to a 10-0 lead and a 34-20 advantage at halftime on the way to the big victory.

despite the sizable halftime lead, there were corrections to be made.

“We talked about at halftime we were disappointed with offensive rebounds, we were disappointed that we gave up 20 points before half,” he said. “I thought our kids came out and really met that challenge.”

Very true, because the Knights (2-8) had just those same 20 points at the end of the third quarter.

The Patriots (8-2) held the visitors without a point in the third as Northeastern went scoreless for the first 12-plus minutes of the second half. They were up 44-20 at the end of the third, and scored the first six points of the fourth before clearing their bench for the final four minutes.

The Knights opened 0-of-14 from the field in the second half before Tim Stickel finally got a hoop with 3:35 to play in the game.

Jay County scored a majority of its points as it was able to get to the basket at will.

Comer went 7-of-9 from the field for his game-high scoring total. Bruggeman went 6-of-9 with five of his tries coming on drives to the hoop.

“I thought we had to (take advantage of our quickness),” said Teagle, whose team is now 5-0 on its home floor. “In our two losses, that’s what happened to us. When you’re quicker than someone, the game is so much easier. You have to take advantage of your strength and the other team’s weakness.”

The quickness also allowed the Patriots to harass Northeastern on the defensive end, especially in the first half. The visiting Knights opened the game with four turnovers on its first six possessions, and gave the ball away 15 times before the break.

Jay County had an advantage on the glass as well, 31-24. Comer and Bruggeman shared the game high of seven rebounds.

Without two of his key players, Teagle said the game provided a good chance to get some of his reserves extended playing time.

“The guys on the bench have played a different role now,” he said. “When we get in foul trouble it’s their time to shine then because they’ve been on the varsity floor.”

None of the Knights made it more than halfway to double figures as Kevin Toschlog and Cory Cortes shared the team lead with five points. Four players added four points apiece.

Northeastern finished just 9-of-34 (26 percent) from the field, compared to 46 percent for the Patriots.

Junior varsity

Jay County outscored the Knights in every quarter for a 50-27 victory.

Rhett Retter and Casey Waters each had eight points for the Patriots, who took a 24-14 halftime lead. They pushed the lead to 11 after the third period, then pounded Northeastern 17-5 in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

Aaron Daniels added six points.

Jacob Frame scored eight points for the Knights, and Zach Greene added six.[[In-content Ad]]