Canfield's hot shooting routs Lakeview, 89-37

The Cardinals were 36-of-53 from the field for 68 percent.
By DOUG CHAPIN
Vindicator Correspondent
CORTLAND -- The Canfield High basketball team put on a clinic Friday at Lakeview High School, routing the Bulldogs, 89-37, behind a 68-percent shooting performance.
The Cardinals (5-2), winners of three in a row, got many of their shots from in the paint by pounding the ball inside and utilizing a very effective transition game.
"This kind of game comes along every once in a while," Canfield coach John Cullen said. "Usually Lakeview is so good defensively -- they play as good a team defense as anyone.
"They force you to move the ball and by doing so we got some good passing angles which put them at a disadvantage," Cullen said. "We haven't been very good offensively in the half-court game. Lakeview makes you focus on your half-court offense."
Completely dominated
The Cardinals were 36-of-53 shooting on the night, including six-of-11 from 3-point range. They also made 11 of 13 free throws and outrebounded Lakeview, 30-17.
"We passed the ball unselfishly in the transition game," Cullen said. "A lot of guys got rewarded for running the floor. It makes it easy to hustle downcourt when you know you'll be rewarded."
Canfield scored the final nine points of the first quarter to increase the lead to 19-6 at the quarter break. The lead reached 24-6 before Lakeview scored in period two and was at 33-16 midway through the quarter.
The visitors then put the game out of reach with a 16-3 run that extended into the first two minutes of the third frame. Canfield led 49-19.
"We were beaten by a better team. They are a better team than us on Dec. 30, 2005," Lakeview coach Larry Herrholtz said. "The good thing is we have 14 games to get where they are. Tonight, we were humbled by a better team."
Balanced scoring
The Cardinals had excellent scoring balance. Mike Rounsavell and Kyle Melewski scored 15 points each, Troy Gessner had 13, Joe Carbon and Kyle Schuchler 12 apiece, and Gurpreet Singh 10. Rounsavell recorded seven rebounds and Gessner had three blocked shots.
"We have good depth and good flexibility," Cullen said. "We start a different lineup almost every game, depending on the opposition. They all are looking for that opportunity and they've all worked very hard.
"Our scoring has been balanced too," Cullen said. "No one guy has to score for us."
Lakeview (4-2) was led by Eddie Mackiewicz with 13 points.
"We need to learn from this game," Herrholtz said. "We've talked about the difference between a good team and a great team. We just played a great team and unless we learn from tonight, we won't become great.
"We'll break down the film, work our tails off in practice, make sure we are doing the right things and get better from this."