McDonald gets 52-40 ITCL win over Southern

The Blue Devils just had more offensive weapons than the Indians.

By JIM FLICK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

McDONALD — A second-half surge by the McDonald High basketball team’s larger and more numerous offensive weapons turned back Southern Local 52-40 Friday.

“We had more options on offense,” McDonald coach Jeff Rasile said.

Three McDonald players scored in double figures, led by 6’5” senior Adam Streb, who tallied 14 points, including 12 in the first half. Ronald Johnson added 12 points, while J.R. Harvey came off the bench to contribute 10 points.

Point guard Lance Ronghi scored eight points, all in the second half while Mikey Thomas tossed in six points after halftime.

Southern Local’s main offensive effort came from 6’0” senior Tyler Baker, who coaxed the ball into the net for a game-high 20 points. Andrew Diaz was the only other Indian to score in double figures, tallying 10 points.

Ethan Blatch notched six points for Southern Local while Anthony Salus contributed one 3-point shot and Darren Mills scored a single free throw.

By halftime, Baker had scored 10 points and Streb 12.

Streb not only scored in the post, but he and teammate Ronald Johnson dominated the boards, hauling in rebounds that gave McDonald a number of second-chance baskets.

Even though his team held the slim 22-19 lead, McDonald coach Jeff Rasile was worried at halftime.

“We told the boys in the locker room they had to be more aggressive,” Rasile said.

Guards Ronghi and Thomas responded to Rasile’s halftime charge by tossing in 3-pointers early in the second half.

Harvey came off the bench to add to the Blue Devils second-half surge, scoring eight points after halftime.

McDonald took control of the game by outscoring the Indians 19-12 in the third quarter and 11-9 in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Blue Devils’ defense frustrated Baker, who was tagged with his fourth foul late in the third quarter. The foul sent Baker to the bench at the start of the fourth quarter.

“We knew we had to contain Baker,” Rasile said.

Southern Local coach George Whittaker admitted that his team usually relies on Baker, Diaz and Blatch for most of its scoring.

Whittaker said his players fought hard, but were outmatched by the Blue Devils.

“We were hanging in there tough for as small as we are,” Whittaker said.

Whittaker explained that McDonald’s height advantage created a variety of problems.

“We were taking too many jumpers,” Whittaker said.

“And we had to try to get the ball out in transition — but we couldn’t.”