TMP boys pick up win
Published on -1/18/2013, 10:24 AM
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By The Hays Daily News
HILLSBORO -- The Thomas More Prep-Marian boys' basketball team is playing better basketball, said Monarch head coach Joe Hertel.
TMP won its consolation semifinal match against Riley County 52-35 on Thursday at the Trojan Classic in Hillsboro.
TMP improved to 4-7 and has won two of its last three games.
"I just know we are getting better," Hertel said. "We are getting better on both ends of the floor. I think we are figuring out personnel balance and how we need to substitute. I am fairly pleased with what I think was pretty consistent progress."
The Monarchs started strong and never let up against the Falcons, taking a 26-17 halftime lead and finishing strong to stretch the lead to double figures.
TMP got a balanced scoring effort from its squad.
Junior forward Jordan Gottschalk and sophomore forward Cameron Fouts each scored a team-high 12 points, and senior forward Kade Megaffin and junior forward Ryan Mayorga each added eight. Sophomore guard Max Megaffin contributed six points on 2-of-5 3-point shooting.
"What I liked about today was we got pretty decent balance," Hertel said. "We didn't have to rely on one or two people to get us points."
The Monarchs forced 25 turnovers and only had 10 of their own. TMP also contained Riley County to 16-of-44 shooting.
JonRoss Maddox was Riley County's only player to reach double figures, scoring 10.
"We played really, really tough, good defense," Hertel said. "We only gave up must have been (18) points in the second half. It was just a pretty solid defensive effort."
TMP will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hillsboro High School gym against the winner between Goodland and Hillsboro.
After taking seventh at the Hays City Shootout at the start of the season, Hertel said he's happy not to have to play for seventh again.
"I absolutely despise playing for last for anything, including tiddlywinks against my nieces and nephews," Hertel said. "I'm happy we are at least playing for the consolation (championship). I know we are going to get a good opponent."
