INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Reserve heats up at Mathews

The Blue Devils' big men scored 27 points in the second half.
By JAMIE TRINA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
VIENNA -- Outside of the Mathews High gymnasium, the cold air blew across the ice-covered parking lot, but inside a heated Inter-County League rivalry between Mathews and Western Reserve was warming the blood of all in attendance.
In a game that began as a defensive battle, Western Reserve's offense became the deciding factor as it shredded its way through the Mustangs' defense in a 67-56 victory.
Western Reserve (11-4, 9-0) remains atop the ICL standings.
"They [Western Reserve] pulled away and we couldn't catch up," Mathews coach Kevin Haynie said. "We got within five points and they would come down and hit another shot."
Defense early
The two teams held each other to a combined eight points in the opening five minutes, but a 5-0 run in the closing minutes of the first quarter allowed Western Reserve to take a 13-4 lead.
After Mathews (6-6, 4-3) began the second quarter capitalizing on its first two possessions, the momentum shifted as Western Reserve scored on seven of 10 possessions.
The two teams continued to fight throughout the second quarter, with Mathews regaining control in the closing minutes of the half, narrowing the margin to 23-29.
"It was back and forth, and they kept battling back," Western Reserve coach Steve Miller said.
The second half belonged to the big men as Western Reserve's Jake Zatchok and Nick Sanders combined for 27 points.
Sanders scored seven third-quarter points as Western Reserve took a 14-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
"Jake's been playing solid. Nick has been playing great defense. We did a pretty good job with the big guys," Miller said.
Mathews also received a gutsy performance by its big man Chris Vesey. His 16-second half points led the Mustangs.
"He'll go out and try his best to do it," Haynie said of Vesey. "We just couldn't get the ball to him."
The Mustangs never got closer than five points in the second half.
"Our guys don't give up," Haynie said. "We are not going to give up."