UNION CITY – The Arcanum Trojans defeated the home standing Mississinawa Valley Blackhawks 57-33 in Tuesday night conference play.
The teams played to a 13-13 score after one quarter with the Trojans’ 6’5” post player, Nick Sharritts sitting on the bench next to Coach McEldowney with two quick fouls and 6’1” starting forward, Caden Thompson on the bench walking with support of crutches.
“When that Amber Alert went off at 1:39 a.m. this morning I woke up and the first thing I thought about – man, I hope Nick doesn’t get in foul trouble because Caden is out…and what happens,” said Arcanum coach, Roger McEldowney. “We come over here and he gets in foul trouble.”
“The other kids stepped up,” McEldowney continued. “Regan (Christ) scored for us, Garrett really had a fantastic game and when we got in that lull when Nick went out, he stepped up and hit a three and got a couple going to the basket. That is what you need your seniors to do and just proud of him for doing that.”
With Sharritts remaining on the bench the entire second quarter, the Trojans adjusted to Coach McEldowney’s adjustments to take period No. 2 by a 16-2 score and grab a commanding double digit 29-15 lead at the break led by Garrett Garno’s 9-points including a triple and 4-5 at the line.
“Our kids did exactly what we asked them to,” said Mississinawa Valley first year coach, Nick Hamilton. “We got the Sharritts kid in foul trouble. We worked so hard on a defensive plan for him. When he went out of the game, the boys were kind of like…now what.”
Arcanum extended its lead to 44-23 after three complete taking the third quarter 15-8 with Regan Christ leading the way with 7-points including a 3-pointer. Matt Pisano paced the Hawks with 6-points.
“Aiden (Psczulkoski) can jump,” McEldowney said. “He gets up and that is what he does for us. He amazes me. I like to watch him jump because he just keeps going up it seems like. He played really well, got some boards, played great defense on Pisano who is a really good player. I give him a lot of credit too – senior stepping up.”
The Blackhawks bounced back to score in double digits the final period, but it was the visitors taking the fourth 13-10 with Arcanum getting 9-points in the paint; five from Sharritts and Eian Parks with 4-points.
“The boys are playing hard, their defensive effort tonight was great, offense will come,” Coach Hamilton stated. “We have to change some things up offensively to try and give us some more looks but defensively I was pleased with the way we played.”
“It’s a process for these boys,” added Hamilton. “They are improving every game, their effort is a lot better than it was at the beginning of the season and I am pleased with where we are at. Positive things are coming our way and the boys are working hard for us day in and day out so we’ll see where it leads us.”
Coach McEldowney replied when his team was complemented for their on-court discipline. “The coach gets a little fired up every now and then but that is what we teach, it’s our culture,” he said. “We try to let our play on the court speak for us and I think we do a pretty good job of that most of the time – proud of our kids for that.”
Arcanum freshman, Regan Christ led Arcanum and all scorers with a game high 18-point
BOXSCORE:
ARCANUM 57, MISSISSINAWA VALLEY 33
ARCANUM – R. Christ 18, G. Garno 11, N. Sharritts 9, B. Sharp 6, A. Psczulkoski 5, Eian Parks 4, B. Lock 2, R. Murray 2 – TOTALS 16 7-10 6 57
MISSISSINAWA VALLEY – M. Pisano 12, D. Anguiano 7, T. Woodbury 6, A. Hunt 4, J. Loy 3, C. Shimp 1 – TOTALS 12 6-14 1 33
3-POINTERS
Arcanum 6 (B. Sharp 2, R. Christ 2, G. Garno 1, A. Psczulkoski 1)
Mississinawa Valley 1 (T. Woodbury 1)
SCORE by QUARTERS
13-16-15-13 57 Arcanum
13-02-08-10 33 Mississinawa Valley
