Robert Smith
Tyler Smith
FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – A fast start was the difference on Monday afternoon as the No. 3 Northeastern Knights defeated New Washington 65-32 in the opening round of their boys basketball tournament.
“We played with a lot more intensity defensively than what we did the last game out (against Seton),” Northeastern Head Coach Brent Ross said.
“I was really happy with our rotations,” Ross continued. “Our defense was a lot better than it was a week ago and it’s going to have to be that way for two more games.”
The Knights (5-1) advance to play Gary 21st Century in the last game on Monday night. The No. 15 team in Class 1A, Gary 21st Century beat Triton Central 71-42 to stay in the winner’s bracket.
After the game was tied at 2-2, Northeastern put up 16 straight points to build an 18-2 advantage when Austin Clay scored at the 1:51 mark of the first period.
The Knights led 18-4 at the first stop and 37-16 at halftime.
“I thought we did a nice job in our press making them play quick,” Ross said. “It’s not always about getting steals.”
It led to 16 turnovers in the first half by New Washington (4-3). The finished with 24 for the game.
Another stat that pleased Ross was that the Mustangs made just a pair of 3-pointers with both coming in the fourth quarter.
“We were sharper on our close outs,” Ross said. “They shot 28 threes in one of their games this year.”
Robert Smith and Tyler Smith led the Knights with 16 points each. Robert Smith led the squad with seven rebounds.
Clay finished with eight points and Nate Reynolds added seven points.
Stevie Mack led New Washington with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Box Score
NEW WASHINGTON (4-3) – Caleb Ellison 0 1-2 1, Brandon Horton 0 0-0 0, Hunter Lind 2 2-2 7, Zach Moore 5 0-0 10, Stevie Mack 4 3-3 11, Brandon Gill 0 0-0 0, Jacob Hudnall 0 0-0 0, Hunter Miles 1 0-0 3, Kyle Goedeker 0 0-0 0. Team – 12 6-7 32.
NORTHEASTERN (5-1) – Tyler Smith 7 2-2 16, Bailey Stewart 2 0-4 4, Robert Smith 7 1-2 16, Nate Reynolds 3 0-0 7, Harrison Rice 1 2-2 4, Kaleb Mikesell 0 0-0 0, Deshaun Hampton 1 1-2 4, Austin Clay 3 0-0 8, Alec Sheets 1 0-0 2, Jalen Hillard 2 0-0 4, Alex Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Quinton West 0 0-0 0. Team – 27 6-12 65.
New Washington 4 16 24 32
Northeastern 18 37 52 65
3-pointers – New Washington 2 (Lind 1, Miles 1), Northeastern 5 (Clay 2, R. Smith 1, N. Reynolds 1, Hampton 1). Rebounds – New Washington 27 (Mack 8), Northeastern 29 (R. Smith 7). Turnovers – New Washington 24, Northeastern 12. Fouls – New Washington 11, Northeastern 11.