For the Daily Journal
Triton Central hung with Greenwood for nearly three quarters before the host Woodmen ripped off a 20-3 run to pull away for a 48-34 home win in boys basketball Wednesday.
Greenwood’s length inside and defensive pressure proved to be the difference. While the Woodmen struggled to score, they had no problem making life difficult for the Tigers.
“(Triton) had a nice game plan. They were going to spread it a little bit and make us come out and we had a definite defensive theme that we’ve been hammering out in practice,” said Greenwood coach Joe Bradburn, who singled out senior guard Max Raker for his defense on Triton Central standout Wyatt Felling.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“I was happy that our guys were able to execute the defensive plan tonight and limit their shots and limit their scores.”
Greenwood (3-1) led virtually the entire way, but it wasn’t until late in the third that it was able to get some breathing room. The Woodmen led 13-7 after the first quarter and 21-14 at the half but the Tigers stayed close, pulling withing 28-22 with 4:25 left on a Michael Manns bucket.
But Triton Central couldn’t score in the paint and were helpless as Greenwood defenders blocked shots and grabbed rebounds.
“Their length and size bothered us. We didn’t finish well inside the paint. We got in there well, we just couldn’t finish,” Triton Central coach Perry Nash said. “But that’s why we play teams like this, to prepare us for our tougher conference competition. We didn’t finish well, but we’ll continue to work and continue to get better.”
Braydon Kincaid kicked off what proved to be Greenwood’s decisive run with a short jumper and the Woodmen closed the third on an 11-0 run to take a 39-20 lead.
Felling broke the run with a three-point play to open the fourth, but an Erin Moenkhaus 3-pointer followed by baskets from Jeffrey Reynolds, Kincaid and Moenkhaus pushed the Greenwood lead to 48-25, its largest of the night.
Triton Central (3-3) closed the game on a 9-0 run for the final margin.
Moenkhaus came off the bench to score 12 points and tie Reynolds for game-high honors. Kincaid added 11 points and Raker had six assists.
Felling scored 10 to lead Triton Central.
Greenwood returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Speedway. Triton Central hosts Park Tudor on Saturday.
