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Vandals finish second shootout 3-4

 

Vandalia had mixed results in its second of four shootouts this June, finishing 3-4 after Monday and Tuesday’s action. Vandalia earned wins over Chrisman, Martinsville and Hamilton County.
After a pair of double-digit losses to Robinson and Carlyle, the Vandals were able to close out the first day of shootout action with a hard-fought win over Chrisman, 55-53.
Despite a poor shooting performance from beyond the arc, the Vandals were able to use an effective post game to stay within reach throughout. Chrisman jumped out to an early 10-2 lead with a pair of threes to lead the way. Vandalia answered late in the first half with a 6-0 run highlighted by an assist from Ethan Bales to Richie Well to cut the Chrisman lead to one entering the second half.
“The first game yesterday, I didn’t have that same thought (that this was a better shootout than the first one) because we did not come out well in that very first game,” Vandalia head coach Brian Buscher said. “(Then we) turned around in the second game, played about three-fourths of a good game against Carlyle; went inside a lot, had a lot of post success.
“We kind of did the same in the third game (of the first day), didn’t hit very many shots, but we really didn’t play bad. I’m talking (about) three-pointers; we were something like 32 of 40 from inside the lane and 1-for-17 from three.”
Baskets inside the paint from Well and Marcus Zimmerman tied the game, 28-28, early in the second half. Chrisman came storming back to take a 40-33 lead, but the Vandals used a pair of layups from Zimmerman and Casey, along with a putback by Bales, to close out regulation, 53-53.
With sudden death rules in play for the shootout (first team to lead by two wins), Vandalia was able to put things away quickly with a stop on defense, followed by a layup from Casey to Zimmerman to win the game, 55-53.
Buscher praised his team for its work inside, citing the benefits of getting consistent post touches.
“I love to go and preach to get a post touch or a lane touch. We can score off a post touch (and) we can kick it out off a post touch. To me, if your post is open, he has to get the ball,” Buscher said. “If you just have a total perimeter game, people can guard that. If you’re just going to sit outside and have a good back inside, it’s tough to guard.”
Vandalia continued its solid play into the next day, but were unable to continue the winning streak, as Putnam County thwarted a late comeback attempt to hang on for a 64-58 victory.
The Vandals bounced back with its most dominant win of shootout action thus far, defeating Martinsville, 79-33. After jumping out to a 28-11 lead halfway through the first half, Vandalia did not look back as it dominated all facets of the game.
In the first round of tournament action, Vandalia dispatched Hamilton County 43-27, using good ball movement to get a variety of open looks inside.
However, the Vandal momentum ended shortly after, as Harrisburg proved to be too much, dominating inside the paint enroute to a 41-22 win, eliminating Vandalia from the tournament. Vandalia led early in the game, 12-10, but ultimately faltered late, something Buscher chalked up to fatigue and careless play.
“We did some nice things today and I try to focus on that and correct the wrong things. We played well against Hamilton County and we played OK for a while against Harrisburg and then got kind of tired and stupid; (probably) a combination of both. But, that’s summer ball,” Buscher said. “It is (exhausting to play this many games in a short stretch) and they’re not in any basketball shape, so it’s good to fight through that stuff and find out what you need to work on.”
 

Ethan Bales sets a pick for Richie Well against Chrisman Monday afternoon. Vandalia went on to win in overtime, 55-53.

Marcus Zimmerman passes to the top of the key during shootout action Tuesday afternoon. Zimmerman, who contributed signifcant playing time last season, is one of 10 returning varsity players.

Scott Shulman (left) fires off three-pointer from the corner during Vandalis’s first of four shootouts this June.

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