Vandals cruise past MG in opener

By Editor | November 30, 2016 |

Nathan Casey and Marcus Zimmerman each scored 10 points as the Vandals built up an early lead against Mulberry Grove and coasted to a 85-42 win in their season opener on Tuesday night.

Vandalia led 24-9 after the first quarter, then added 25 in the second to hold a 49-19 lead at the half.
Vandals coach Brian Buscher substituted freely throughout the game, getting plenty of playing time for his substitutes, with one of those players, Dakota Graham, tying Casey for scoring honors with 20 points.
Richie Well contributed 16 points and Zimmerman had 13 in their limited playing time on Tuesday.
Blake Barth added six points to the Vandalia total, and Bryce Dunn had a three-pointer.
Garett McNary and Ethan Ferguson each had two points, and Kelly Jones had a free throw.
“I thought we played pretty well,” Buscher said.
“I think that there were a couple times that we got a little sloppy decision-wise, but I thought, all in all, that we played a really nice game,” he said.
“We pushed the tempo with them, and our goal was to not let them get to the lane, because that’s what they like to do,” Buscher said.
He was pleased that he was able to get some substantial playing time for all of his players.
“Some kids I want to get in and mix with some of the starters, to see how they respond with that. We see that in practice, but I wanted to see it in a game situation.
“It was good to get some kids some extra playing time that they’re not always going to get and get them some experience,” Buscher said.
Michael Sloan led Mulberry Grove with 13 points, and Joey Linabarry and Courtlyn Latham each had 12.
Wyatt Criner had three points, and Jake Linabarry had two points.

Vandalia’s Nathan Casey hits a three-pointer in the first half on Tuesday. Mulberry Grove’s Michael Sloan puts up a shot over Vandalia’s Dakota Graham.