MONTESANO — As long as their pressure defense continues to wreak havoc, Montesano’s boys can afford a few missed layups.
Forcing 32 turnovers, the well-balanced Bulldogs raced to a 67-25 rout of Elma in an Evergreen 1A League boys basketball game Wednesday at Bo Griffith Memorial Gym.
This was a case of the experienced Bulldogs’ strength dovetailing with the inexperienced Eagles’ Achilles heel.
Primarily playing a full-court man-to-man defense, with some trapping action included, the Bulldogs had a hand in 11 Eagle turnovers in the first quarter alone. They turned many of them into transition baskets.
“I was excited about the kids’ help-side (defense) and communication,” Montesano coach Doug Galloway observed. “They did a great job of that.”
Coupled with a 35-19 rebounding advantage, the Bulldogs (2-0, 11-2) easily overcame a rocky start on the offensive end. They missed perhaps a half-dozen layups — several from point-blank range — in the early going.
In the end, however, Montesano’s scoring was characteristically well-rounded. Sophomore guard Sam Winter, with 12 points, and sophomore post Tanner Nicklas, with 10, were the only Bulldogs in double figures, but four others scored at least eight points.
Junior guard Carter Jacobson topped Elma (1-2, 2-13) with 11 points.
After Winter nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner with the game only six seconds old, the Eagles found freshman Cobey Moore on a long downcourt pass for a layin on their opening possession.
That, however, was Elma’s only field goal until the 5:32 mark of the second quarter.
“I felt that it was almost a hindrance to hit the home run on the first possession of the game, because we started looking for it,” Elma coach Jeff Niemi said.
Montesano reserve guard Evan Bates, meanwhile, contributed a three-ball and a steal for a solo layin to spark a 12-2 run that closed out the first quarter.
The Bulldogs led 40-12 at the half and implemented the 40-point running-clock mercy rule with their opening bucket of the fourth quarter.
Nicklas led Bulldog rebounders with eight. Trevor Ridgway added seven rebounds and five assists, while L.J. Valley collected four steals.
Bates was cited for his energy and performance from off the bench.
On Friday, the Eagles host Tenino while the Bulldogs make the long trip to Forks.
Elma 6 6 8 5 — 25
Monte 19 21 18 9 — 67
Elma (25) — Jacobson 11, Johnston, Vollan 2, Swint, Moore 6, Billerback 4, Schneider, Richey 2. FG — 7-32 (.219). FT — 9-13.
Montesano (67) — Ridgway 9, Winter 12, Valley 8, Farmer 9, Dierkop 5, Bates 9, Nicklas 10, Albert 2, Parker 1, Wyatt 2, Iverson, Johansson. FG — 27-65 (.415). FT — 8-11.
JV — Montesano 36, Elma 19. Ben Wills 10 points for Montesano.
