Cardinals welcome back Verhines, bounce Trojans

Sports

December 23, 2009

By JACK CLARK

jackclark@mvn.net

BLUFORD — The Woodlawn Cardinals defeated Webber’s Trojans, 55-23 in Midland Trail Conference action Tuesday night.

The Cardinals took a 26-6 lead by halftime. Woodlawn is now 4-3.

“It was important for us to get out to a quick start and I was particularly pleased with the first few possessions,” said Cardinals coach Shane Witzel. “We were able to get some quick scores and create some defensive pressure. Our effort on the defensive side was good, especially in the first half.”

Witzel said that the victory came down to winning the backboard battle.

“The difference for us tonight was our rebounding,” Witzel said. “I felt like we rebounded well on both ends of the floor for the entire game.”

Bryan Johnson, Christian McNeil and Dawson Verhines — playing in his first game of the season after a knee injury — combined for 18 rebounds in the game.

Webber coach Sam Root said that the Trojans knew what to expect from the Cardinals.

“We knew of the physicality and pressure that Woodlawn would bring from the opening tip,” said Root. “After getting in a 15-3 hole, we responded much better the rest of the game. Our team can use games like this, against top southern competition, as learning tools for our second half of the season.”

Root thinks that the Cardinals, runners-up in the 2008-09 Class 1A tournament, may have a postseason future in 2010.

“You have to give coach Witzel credit for the intensity and composure he instills in his teams,” Root said. “They (could) be an extremely tough out in the postseason.”

Casey Hammond led all scorers with 22 points for Woodlawn. Kirk Dunbar finished with 12. Verhines had a half-dozen in his debut.

Ethan Gowler led the Trojans with 11 points.

Woodlawn meets Shawnee at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the opening round of the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament.

The Cardinals are defending champions, and are seeded third behind the host Devils and Waltonville.

Woodlawn 55, Webber 23

Woodlawn 15 11 18 11—55

Webbe r 3 3 9 6—23

WOODLAWN (4-3)

Hammond 22, Dunbar 12, Verhines 6, Owens 5, McNeil 4, Johnson 4, Wiggs 2. Totals 25 2-6 55.

WEBBER (1-10)

Gowler 11, Lowery 5, Bodendieck 4, Dye 2, Alvis 1. Totals 8 4-10 23.

3-point goals — Woodlawn 3, Webber 3

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