Monday, January 21, 2002

Miller City delights in New Riegel up tempo

By dave Feltner
Sports Editor
dfeltner@advertiser-tribune.com

NEW RIEGEL - When the contrasting styles of the Putnam County and Midland Athletic leagues collided in New Riegel on Sunday afternoon, it was no surprise that something had to give.

The surprise came in the way Miller City warmed up to New Riegel's uptempo style.

The PCL's Wildcats got a chance to break from the half-court, motion offense style of basketball, and found the breathing room much to their liking during an 80-45 rout of the Blue Jackets.

"I think (New Riegel) was getting out of position a bit in their pressure, and they allowed us to get the ball inside," Miller City coach Kerry Johnson said. "We were able to get the ball in position to convert high-percentage shots. I think that was the reason for the 80 points.

"Plus, we got some extra opportunities because they were coming down and taking quick shots," he said. "Normally, we score in the 40s or 50s. That's not because we don't shoot, but the teams we play are holding the ball longer."

New Riegel owned just one lead, and it was short-lived.

Buckets by Tim Clouse and Chris Gillig gave the Blue Jackets a 4-2 edge, but on the next trip down the floor the Wildcats' Chad Verhoff knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing to give Miller City the lead for good.

All five Wildcat starters scored in the first period, and New Riegel made just 4 of 17 from the field and found itself in a 20-8 hole.

"It's different. We've never been able to adjust to their style," Blue Jackets coach Rick DeMoss said. "Two years ago in 2000 when we had Brett Hammer, Gillig and Ryan Bumb, it was a one-point game. But that was their style and we were able to play that style. We (this year) can't play that way. We don't have the personnel."

New Riegel had just one turnover in the second quarter, but still labored through shooting woes. The Jackets shot 4 of 12 from the field and missed their only free throw.

Meanwhile, Miller City was getting a boost from its bench. A.J. Lammers, the 'Cats sixth man, scored five points and ripped down four boards in the quarter.

Miller City connected on 17 of 30 from the field in the first half, committed just four turnovers and carried a 37-18 lead into the break.

The teams played an even third quarter before The Wildcats highlighted a 26-10 push to the finish by sinking 11 of 14 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

Brent Schnipke led three Wildcats in double figures with 18 points. Kyle Vennekotter and Lammers both finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Sub Brandon Reinhart led New Riegel with 12 points. Chris Gillig tossed in 11 and Aaron Mathias eight.

Miller City, which will be without its top player, Jeremy Kuhlman, for the balance of the season due to and ACL tear, improved to 6-5. New Riegel slipped to 4-9.

"It's been a tough season," DeMoss said. "From the second day (of practice) on, you have one guy go down (Bryan Beckley) who means a great deal to your team, then his substitute (Tyson Depinet) goes down. Injuries are a part of the game, but it means so much at a small school.

"It's almost like we started over at some point," he said. "They're both back, but it's not the same."

This was the last Sunday afternoon game between the two teams. New Riegel will pick up Bucyrus for a Saturday night game next year, while Miller City will play Tinora.