McDonald sweats out 67-59 win over Sebring

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The Trojans missed nine uncontested layups and committed 12 turnovers in the first half.

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

SEBRING — Leading 37-29 less than a minute into the third quarter, the McDonald High basketball team seemed primed to deliver the knockout blow to Inter Tri-County League foe Sebring.

However, poor execution on offense and a technical foul allowed the Trojans to hang around until the Blue Devils (9-0, 5-0) pulled away in the final minute to secure a 67-59 victory.

McDonald coach Jeff Rasile said he was pleased with his team's effort, but not its execution in the second half.

"When we were up 11 at the beginning of the third quarter, it seemed like we had things going our way," Rasile said. "But then our play became chaotic — we turned the ball over and failed to execute offensively."

Lose focus

The Blue Devils strayed from getting the ball inside to 6-foot-4-inch senior Bradley Hinton who held a height advantage over the Trojans, whose tallest starter stood 6-0.

"We needed to get the ball inside to Brad even more than we did," Rasile said. "It seemed like we could have put them away if we had done that, but we let them hang around."

Hinton, who totaled 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half, finished with a game-high 27 point and 13 rebounds.

"He's [Hinton] a steady player," Rasile said. "You always know what you are going to get from him — he's always all over the boards and is consistent underneath on offense."

The Trojans climbed to within three, 54-51, midway through the fourth quarter when Blue Devil Matt Firment was hit with a technical after he reacted to being called for a foul against Sebring's Jesse James.

"We can't jump around like idiots and get technical fouls," Rasile said. "It's inappropriate and there is no excuse for behavior on the court like that."

"We're fortunate that it didn't cost us the game."

Sebring (7-3, 3-2) pulled to within four, 61-57, with 52 seconds remaining and fouled Nick Rusinowski after McDonald in-bounded the ball.

Comes up short

Rusinowski missed the front end of the one and one, but got his own rebound and found Hinton under the hoop for a lay-up.

Rusinowski went on to make his next four attempts from the line to seal the victory.

"We've got seniors on the court who have been in situations like this before," Rasile said. "They know they have to knock down free throws if they want to win."

Sebring coach Brian Clark said he his team executed the game plan as best they could given their size.

"Last year against McDonald we embarrassed ourselves," Clark said. "Tonight we were courageous and got to the basket with consistency."

"We shot more free throws than they did, but we missed nine uncontested lay-ups and committed 12 turnovers in the first half."

James led the Trojans with 19 points and five rebounds. Jake Scott dished out five assists.

Andy Timko scored 19 points for the Blue Devils, including 12 in the second quarter. Scott Sentner chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Rusinowski handed out seven assists for the winners.

"Give a world of credit to Sebring," Rasile said. "They put bodies on people and even with our height advantage they rebounded well.

"We were sloppy at times tonight, but hopefully this game experience makes us better down the road."

Wednesday, January 10, 2007