The Switzerland County boys varsity basketball team opened its season last Tuesday night with some new faces both on the court and off; and although the Pacers fought hard, the young troops fell to Oldenburg Academy by a score of 53-38.
First year coach Adam Dennis saw his charges depleted by injury and illness, but still saw plenty of positives for the first outing the season.
Sophomore Hunter Hayes got off to a fast start for the Pacers, accounting for all eight points that Switzerland County would score in the opening quarter.
The Twisters had their long range shooting dialed in early, as Drew Kloepfer had three three-pointers in the first quarter; and teammates Cory Schuman and Matt Moorman each had one.
That shooting accounted for a big part of Oldenburg’s 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Switzerland County bounce back a bit, outscoring their hosts by an 11-8 count to trail by just eight points at the half, 27-19.
The Pacers put on their own display of long range firepower in that second stanza, getting two three-pointers from Riley Phagan and a trey from Caleb Furnish. Hunter Hayes also had another basket, putting him in double figures for the first half.
Switzerland County continued to fight its way back into the contest as the second half got started, with Riley Phagan and Caleb Furnish each connecting on another three-pointer.
Riley Phagan also added two freethrows to the mix; while Ben Curran had a bucket. Hunter Hayes and Justin Green each had baskets inside.
Oldenburg managed 12 points in the quarter, so with a period to play, the Pacers were back within six points, 39-33.
But that’s when the offense went cold, as Switzerland County would manage only five points in the final stanza; while Oldenburg accounted for 14 points to seal the win.
The Pacers had just one field goal in the final eight minutes, that coming from Justin Green; and Riley Phagan had two freethrows and Justin Green had a single charity.
Final score: Oldenburg 53, Switzerland County 38.
The 15-point margin of victory points back to the opening quarter, when the Pacers found themselves in an 11-point hole that they could not escape from.
Riley Phagan led the Pacers with 13 points on the night, including those three three-pointers. Hunter Hayes was in double figures with 12 points; while Caleb Furnish’s two three-pointers gave him six points on the night.
Justin Green finished with five points; and Ben Curran added two points.
Oldenburg was led by Matt Moorman with 16 points; while Drew Kloepfer had 15 and Cory Schuman had 10.
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In the junior varsity game, Oldenburg defeated Switzerland County by a score of 55-27.
Kyle Whitham had six points to lead the Pacers; and Austin South finished with five points.
Zack Wainscott had four points; Andrew Youngblood, Casper Stow, and Jacob Turner each had three points; Justin Chatham had two points; and Dolan Springer contributed one point.