Tigers search for consistency, Raiders win

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Writer

SPRINGFIELD -- While Springfield tried another combination of starters, it wasn't enough to top Nicollet, who beat the Tigers 68-58 Monday.

According to Springfield coach Dennis Youngerberg, the team has been trying to find the right combination of players all season. And that search continues.

"We need more guys to step up and score," said Youngerberg. "We lack consistency. I don't think we have had the same starting lineup once this year -- we're just not consistent enough."

The team has had many different players stand out in scoring -- in different games. Monday, John Larson had 10 points in his first start of the season, and Matt Tews made 11 points, while in the last game, he was 1-6 from the floor.

While Springfield was looking at their offense, Nicollet was starting out looking at their defense.

"Defensively, we played really poorly," said Raider coach Kory Kettner. "We need to start playing better defense -- we were just getting beat too many times."

The beginning of the game was when the Raiders' lack of defense showed.

Springfield made the first seven points of the game off a shot by Jacob Marz, a fast break basket by Randy Potter, and a three by John Larson. Nicollet worked their way back to tie it when Jeff Zimmermann made a three-pointer, and Tony Hulke passed to Mike Rosin for a shot down low.

After Springfield took the lead back on a Matt McNutt hook shot, they ended quarter one with a 15-11 lead.

"It was stagnant," said Kettner about his team's offense in the first quarter. "They were not cutting, and not moving. We've gotta be ready to come out, and we've gotta control rebounding to run the ball."

Kettner thought Springfield controlled too much of the tempo of the game.

Even though the Raiders started out slow, they did improve on their free throws, making 12-13 for 92 percent.

With two minutes gone from quarter two, Tony Hulke again tied the game at 17 with a three-pointer, and took the lead with a two point shot by Cody Wilking, followed by a steal and basket by Hulke. The Raiders stayed ahead, even though Tom Dierenfeld made a last minute shot for the Tigers, and went into the half with a 28-25 lead.

Youngerberg said that when his team missed some inside shots that really should have gone in, and Nicollet hit more threes, that was when they lost the lead.

Springfield shadowed Nicollet in scoring in the first minutes of the third quarter, trailing by eight points, but pulled to 36-31 when John Larson hit a three-pointer, but Jeff Zimmermann came back for Nicollet and hit one of his own.

The Tigers trailed at one point by 10, but even though they made the last two baskets of the quarter, Nicollet went into the fourth ahead 45-39.

Springfield stepped up the intensity of their defense in the fourth quarter, trying to give the Raider offense, and leading scorer Hulke difficulties.

"They did a good job at the end," said Kettner. "They had full court defense, and they really came out and were pestering us."

When the Tiger's defense seemed to be at its peak, they pulled up to trail 56-50 after a three-pointer by Scott Lyle.

Although Nicollet seemed frustrated, and took a time out to collect themselves, the Raiders stayed on top, and came out with a 10 point lead, 68-58.

Nicollet had three boys in double figures: Hulke with 17 points, eight assists and four steals, Rosin with 14 points, and Zimmermann with 13.

Springfield is now 2-6, and faces Cedar Mountain at home tonight.