Defense keys Panthers’ comeback win
TWO RIVERS – Plymouth used a 19-4 run to close out the game and earn a 54-39 boys basketball win over host Two Rivers Friday night.
The contest was tied 35-35 early in the fourth quarter before the Panthers took over. Senior point guard Jon Criter sparked PHS in the final period with eight of his 11 points, including 6-for-6 at the foul line. PHS made 10 free throws in the quarter.
“In the second half, we played much better defense, moved the ball better and got the ball inside,” said Panther head coach Scott Richards.
“We really shut down their penetration in the second half.”
PHS won its fourth straight Eastern Wisconsin Conference game to improve to 4-1 in the league (7-3 overall). The Purple Raiders slipped to 2-3 in the EWC (5-4 overall).
The Panthers struggled on offense in the first half but fortunately their defense was solid and they trailed only 22-17 at halftime.
Junior guard Mitch Unger was on fire for PHS in the third quarter – draining three treys and totaling 12 points to power them to an 18-10 scoring edge. The Panthers seized a 35-32 lead after three periods.
Unger finished the night with a game-high 20 points. He was an outstanding 5-for-9 from three-point range.
Senior center Spencer Strong played a key role in the win with a career-high nine points and seven boards, including four offensive. The overall rebound total led PHS.
“Spencer really stepped up,” Richards said. “Mitch had a good overall game.
“Brent Krueger [junior guard] played really well.”
Krueger had a team-high two steals off the bench. Criter led in assists with five to go with 11 points despite early foul trouble.
“It was a real good team effort. It’s a very good win. Two Rivers has been a tough place for us to play,” Richards said.
“Two Rivers is young and active. They were very physical.”
JV, FROSH GAMES
PHS outscored Two Rivers 17-11 in the fourth period to win, 50-45, in junior varsity play. Parker Kastelic and Matt Augustine scored key baskets for Plymouth in the quarter.
Evan Guell led PHS in scoring with 16 points and rebounds, nine. Kastelic added 13 points and a teambest seven assists.
“Evan had one of his better games of the season,” said PHS coach Jason Duff.
PHS hiked its freshman record to 8-0 (5-0 in EWC) with a 47-35 victory. The Panthers were sparked by a 14-6 spurt in the third quarter.
Jordan Mueller and Harrison De Vries ignited Plymouth’s attack with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
| BOYS
| | |
| BASKETBALL
| | |
| PLYMOUTH | 54 | |
| TWO RIVERS | 39 | |
Score by Quarters Plymouth...........….......11 6 18 19 – 54 Two Rivers..………….…15 7 10 7 – 39
Plymouth scoring: Pat Leick 1, Craig Grosshuesch 1, Greg Rhude 5, Adam Entringer 2, Mitch Unger 20, Brent Krueger 3, Jon Criter 11, Myles Dellger 3, Spencer Strong 9.
Two Rivers scoring: Shawn Shillcox 5, Blake Loucks 5, Scott Kuether 4, Kraig Shillcox 5, Brett Linzmeier 14, Zach Chynoweth 7, Dusty Lachowicz 2.
Three-point goals: Unger 5, Dellger 1, Loucks 1, K. Shillcox 1, Linzmeier 1.
Field goals: Plymouth 17-38, 45%; Two Rivers 16-46, 35%. Free throws: Plymouth 14-22, 64%. Two Rivers 3-3, 100%. Rebounds: Plymouth 28, Two Rivers 16. Turnovers: Plymouth ___________________________ 16, Two Rivers 11.
