Ryczaj helps lift Struthers to victory

The Wildcats beat Campbell 79-72 for their first win over the Red Devils in four years.

By GREG GULAS

Vindicator correspondent

STRUTHERS — You have to go back to the 2005-06 season to find the last time the Struthers Wildcats defeated the Campbell Red Devils.

Adam Ryczaj had 21 points and a game-high 10 rebounds while Nate Jacubec added 20 points to lead five Wildcats in double figures as Struthers defeated the arch-rival Red Devils, 79-72, Tuesday in an All-American Conference intra-division contest at the Struthers Field House.

“The key to tonight’s win for us was establishing the post. We like to shoot from beyond the arc and they really had no answer for us when we were able to score inside as well,” Ryczaj said.

“I missed a couple of baby hooks that I’d sure like to have back, but I felt like I have improved inside since the start of the season and was a little more physical today as well.”

Campbell coach Brian Danilov was impressed with the play of Ryczaj.

“Adam [Ryczaj] is one of the most fundamentally sound players in the entire area. He played well tonight and it came about because of the effort that he put forth the entire game,” Danilov noted.

The Wildcats scored the first seven points of the game, watched the Red Devils knot the score with a seven point run of their own then took a 12-7 lead midway through the opening period on the strength of four markers by Ryczaj.

Campbell then went on a 14-0 run, keyed by Jerah’me Williams and Nate Hodge who each had four points as the Red Devils raced to a 24-17 lead just eight minutes into the contest.

They built their largest lead of the game at 32-23 on the strength of a Lester Hughes bucket form beyond the arc at 5:39 of the second period, but were outscored 12-6 the rest of the quarter as the Wildcats cut the Red Devils lead to three, 38-35 at intermission.

“Everyone knows that we like to shoot [three’s,] but establishing our inside game really was the key for us tonight. Getting the production that we did from our post players was big.

“It’s taken Adam [Ryczaj] a while to get to where he is and we sometimes put him on the back shelf while taking advantage of our three-point opportunities.

“Tonight, however, we got him more involved offensively and he responded by helping us establish our inside game. That was key,” Struthers coach Joe Savko stated.

Ryczaj, a mark of consistency in each period, then combined with Nick Ragan to score 12 points after the halftime break as Struthers (5-2) cut the Red Devils’ (3-3) lead to 54-52 with just eight minutes remaining.

Consecutive buckets by Ryczaj, the last at 4:31 of the final stanza then gave the Wildcats the lead for good at 62-58 as Struthers outscored Campbell, 27-18 in the final frame for their fifth victory in seven outings this season.

“This was another ugly game for us defensively. I just hope that we do not lose the lesson.

“We had way too many turnovers; many that were unforced and suffered entirely too many defensive breakdowns.

“We also missed a lot of free throws at critical times, which hurt us as well,” Danilov said.

“We have great kids in our program but must become better at our team skills. We have to grow up, yet must remember that the price of greatness is responsibility.

“Practicing hard and preparing mentally is the key,” Danilov added.

The Red Devils were 28 of 59 from the field and eight of 21 from beyond the arc while the Wildcats canned 27 of 56 field goal attempts, connecting on nine of 19 three-point shots.

The Red Devils held a 39-32 rebound advantage but committed 15 turnovers to the Wildcats’ eight.