Cardinals back to .500, clip Okawville

Sports

December 16, 2009

Tuesday night boys prep basketball

By JACK CLARK

jackclark@mvn.net

WOODLAWN — No matter how you slice it, if a team are down four at halftime and wins by six, it constitutes a 10-point swing of the basketball pendulum. A show like that at home sells more popcorn.

The Cardinals of Woodlawn High School (3-3) notched a 53-47 victory against non-conference opponent Okawville on Tuesday night, evening the Cards’ record at 3-3. Okawville drops to 5-2.

“I’m pleased that our effort was rewarded with a win against a quality opponent,” said Cardinal coach Shane Witzel. “We have been working hard in practice on our weaknesses and we were able to see some positive results tonight.”

Three key contributors in Woodlawn’s win were Josh Wiggs, Christian McNeil and Casey Hammond. The trio came up big in the third period.

“Josh asserted himself on both ends of the floor tonight,” Witzel said. “We got our big surge in the third quarter with Christian McNeil scoring all eight of his points and Casey Hammond adding a couple of steals for easy scores.”

After three quarters, the Cardinals, who went on a 19-10 surge, held a five-point lead, 35-30.

Witzel praised the play of his role players in the win.

“We got some good production off the bench from A.J. Webb and Bryan Johnson. Kirk Dunbar and John Cavender did a nice job of handling the ball and getting us into our offense,” said Witzel. “John and A.J. hit some big free throws in the 4th quarter.”

Hammond finished with 13 points to lead Woodlawn. Wiggs added 10, while McNeil had eight.

Jacob Frederking and Taylor Walton led Okawville with 15 points each.

“This was the most fundamentally sound that we have played on both ends of the floor (this season),” Witzel said. “We still have some issues that we are working on, but our effort was outstanding tonight.”

Woodlawn will travel to Bluford to take on the Webber Township High School Trojans on Tuesday.

Woodlawn 53, Okawville 47

Okawville 11 9 10 17—47

Woodlawn 10 6 19 18—53

OKAWVILLE (5-2)

Frederking 15, Walton 15, Schwnkhaus 7, Lohman 6, Brammeier 4. Totals 15 12-18 47

WOODLAWN (3-3)

Hammond 13, Wiggs 10, McNeil 8, Dunbar 7, Cavender 7, Webb 6, Johnson 2. Totals 19 13-22 53.

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