Monarchs set to host Quinter on Friday

2/9/2012

By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Both the Monarch boys and girls have a big game on Tuesday.

But first is the matter of getting past Quinter on Friday.

The Thomas More Prep-Marian boys' and girls' basketball teams play host to Quinter on Friday at Al Billinger Fieldhouse. The girls' game starts at 6:15 p.m., followed by the boys.

After Friday's nonleague games against a pair of 5-9 teams, the Monarch boys and girls will play host to Hoisington on Tuesday in an MCAA showdown.

TMP girls' coach Alan Billinger just wants to take care of business Friday then turn his thoughts to Hoisington, where a win would give the Monarchs an undisputed league title.

"They're a very young, inexperienced team," Billinger said of Quinter. "I think they're going through some growing pains right now.

"This is probably not going to be one of out tougher games this year," he added.

TMP (12-3) is coming off a 53-22 win over Larned on Tuesday. Quinter hasn't played since Jan. 31, a 38-34 win over Ellis.

Against Larned on Tuesday, the Monarchs started off slow, leading 5-1 after the first quarter.

"The way we're going to approach this game is we've got to come out and establish ourselves right away first quarter, because of the impending game with Hoisington," Billinger said.

"We've got to take care of business right away that first quarter," he added. "Just play all four quarters, so we get ready for Hoisington."

TMP is led in scoring by senior forward Rachel Jacobs at 15.7 points per game. Senior forward Jenna Lang averages 14 points and junior point guard Heather Ruder adds 11.7 points per game.

TMP boys' coach Joe Hertel doesn't think his squad will be overconfident against Quinter, not after what nearly happened on Tuesday. After winning by 40 points at Larned earlier in the season, the Monarchs blew a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, but found a way to win.

"I hope (Tuesday) night was a reminder of what can happen when things go south," Hertel said. "... Quinter, I think, is a team pretty much like Larned. They've got quite a few young players, but they've got a veteran presence in the big guy."

Quinter, which lost 62-41 to Ellis last week, is led by burly 6-foot-4 senior center Brian Ochs, who is averaging 16 points and 12.1 rebounds.

"He's a big kid -- I mean big," Hertel said. "Big, wide body, and he's got some skills, too, which the numbers prove."

TMP (9-6) is led offensively by senior forward Jacob Fouts at 11.3 points per game. Senior guard Nick Hammeke averages 9.9 points, and senior forward Taylor Pfeifer is at 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

Senior center Kelton Schuckman's conventional three-point play off an intentional missed free throw in the waning seconds provided the winning points in a 64-63 win over Larned on Tuesday. He scored a career-high 18 points against his former school; Schuckman transferred to TMP from Larned his sophomore year.

"That was really cool to see," Hertel said of Schuckman coming through against Larned. "It was appropriate for Kelton to be the hero, so to speak."

Hertel said he and his players have to avoid looking ahead to Hoisington. A win Tuesday would give the Monarchs the league title.

"I've got to remind myself Quinter can be a game just like Larned," Hertel said. "... We got to keep our focus and taking it one game at a time."