ANSONIA – The Ansonia Tigers used a strong second half, balanced scoring and the 3-pointer to defeat the visiting Franklin Monroe Jets 75-32 in MVL action.
“How many years has Ansonia been on the opposite side of a tail-whoopin’ like that,” said Ansonia coach, Tony Overton. “It’s happened a lot. My mindset is we have 32 minutes and when we step between those lines, sometimes shots might not fall but when you bring that type of energy and effort you’re able to compete with anybody.”
“We’re not going to be complacent,” Overton continued. “Not everybody gets a trophy, you earn what you get and we’re here to earn that. We’re not city kids, we’re a rural community and that type of work ethic is going to make these guys into productive citizens and that is why I coach.”
The home standing Tigers took advantage of two Ian Schmitmeyer 3-pointers to take a 14-5 lead after one quarter of play.
“I don’t make excuses and I think the evidence of where we’re at is on display,” said Franklin Monroe coach, Troy Myers. “There is nothing hidden right now, we’re being exposed.”
Period No. 2 proved to be the Jets best quarter of the night putting 10 points on the board while holding Ansonia to 11-points with the teams headed to the break with the Tigers owning a double digit 25-15 advantage. Trevor Hemmerich paced Ansonia with 6-points.
“We come out a little bit sluggish and sometimes we play down to teams that we should beat,” Overton stated. “We got in foul trouble with Ethan (Reichert) and Garrett (Stammen) early and had to go small. Thank goodness they were small as well or we were really in trouble.”
The Tigers were hitting on all cylinders taking the third quarter by a 28-11 score to push its lead to 53-26 with three periods in the book. Garrett Stammen led Ansonia with 10-points canning two treys and going 4-4 at the charity stripe and Ethan Reichert add 9-points including a triple.
“Our kids are tremendous day to day right now,” Myers said. “They’re listening, they’re trying to execute, they’re trying to do the right thing. We’re playing varsity basketball a little quicker than maybe we should be. The kids are being great – we’re just not very good, that’s the bottom line, we’re not very good. Daily they are working and I am proud of them for that – better days are ahead, I know that.”
The final quarter had the Tigers push its lead past 35-points putting the running clock in play to close out the game with a 22-6 fourth quarter. Landyn Bowman paced Ansonia with 8-points including two 3-pointers and 2-2 at the line. Hemmerich, Moody, Matt Barga and Layne Bowman each canned threes for a total of six Ansonia fourth quarter 3-pointers.
“When we get out and run with our athletes and spot up – that’s why we’re shooting No. 1 in the WOAC in 3-point percentage,” said Coach Overton. “That’s based on transition because we run to our spots and we take and make open shots. When we just throw it around the horn and chuck up 3’s we’re not a good team.”
BOXSCORE:
ANSONIA 75, FRANKLIN MONROE 32
ANSONIA – E. Reichert 13, G. Stammen 13, T. Hemmerich 12, E. Moody 11, Landyn Bowman 10, I. Schmitmeyer 8, M. Barga 3, Layne Bowman 3, J. Creager 2 – TOTALS 16 10-15 11 75
FRANKLIN MONROE – B. Wackler 6, G. Wackler 5, C. Yount 5, T. Wilson 5, T. Riffle 4, L. Miller 3, D. Winterrowd 2, B. Denlinger 2 – TOTALS 9 5-7 3 32
3-POINTERS
Ansonia 11 (G. Stammen 2, I. Schmitmeyer 2, Landyn Bowman 2, E. Reichert 1, T. Hemmerich 1, E. Moody 1, M. Barga 1, Layne Bowman 1)
Franklin Monroe 3 (G. Wackler 1, C. Yount 1, L. Miller 1)
SCORE by QUARTERS
14-11-28-22 75 Ansonia
05-10-11-06 32 Franklin Monroe
