Chiefs pick up a pair of wins as season races on

By Ginna Youn

Cornell’s boys basketball program pulled off their first conference win of the season, then dominated a non-conference opponent to end the week.

Feb. 1 vs. Clayton conference (W 67-57)

It was up to Cornell to avenge a loss they suffered earlier this year, to Clayton, when the Bears were paid a visit from the Chiefs, for an East Lakeland Conference showdown.

“Clayton may not have the height or a senior-dominated team, but they play disciplined ball, with a lot of heart,” said coach Steve Parker. “There is no quit in them. They are a good rebounding team that features two guards, who, in my opinion, are the best tandem in the conference at pull-up, mid-range jump shots.”

With Clayton earning Parker’s respect in the first meeting, the Chiefs knew it would be a battle. By halftime of the second meeting, Cornell held a slim 27-22 lead.

“They played an overpressuring man-to-man defense against us, which is what I anticipated,” said Parker. “They switched on our screens and backdoor cutters. Our boys attacked from their triple threat stance in our half-court offense.”

But, with the extensive film research done by Parker – even watching the Bears face off with other teams – Clayton’s help-side defense didn’t rotate over fast enough to stop Cornell’s dribble penetration, resulting in layups and dishoffs.

“We amassed a 20-point lead midway through the second half, after Dylan Bowe drained his fifth, three-point shot,” said Parker. “Clayton then went on a run to close the gap, capitalizing on our missed free throws, their hot-shooting hand and a flurry of turnovers we committed. We scored the last seven points on free throws, to ice the game in the last minute.”

At the final buzzer, the score stood at 67-57, in favor of the Chiefs, giving them their first league win this season.

“We battled and grabbed as many rebounds as they did,” said Parker. “We played aggressive, but smart, staying out of foul trouble.

The junior Bowe led all scores with a personal best 32 points, to go along with 6 rebounds and an assist, going 9 for 10 from the free throw line. He also drew his 13th charge of the season.

Junior Dawson Munson scored 13 points, had 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a block, while junior Blake Anders had a double- double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 boards. Anders also had 3 assists, a steal and a block.

Junior Avery Turany recorded 9 points on the night, with 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1.5 steals, and drew his sixth charge of the season. Freshman Bentley Spangler rounded out the scoring, with 2 points.

“I was proud of how the boys played tonight,” said Parker.

Feb. 3 vs. LCO non-conference (W 74-44)

Next up, Cornell stepped out of the conference, as Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) came to call, with the Chiefs dictating the up-tempo pace of the game.

“We won the rebounding war by 11, notwithstanding the fact they were taller and bigger,” said Parker. “My players forced 23 turnovers and capitalized on most of them. My players’ floor vision continues to improve in their ability to find the open man, as evident by their season-high 21 team assists.”

The Chiefs also made a season-high 11 shots from threepoint land.

“My focal point at our next practice, will be addressing the 17 shots we missed at the rim, nine of which were layups,” said Parker. “Credit LCO’s defense for doing just enough to contest our shots on the block.”

Cornell took a 35-21 lead into the break. “Tonight marked the first time this season, our team played zone the entire game,” said Parker. “LCO had two quick, ambidextrous guards, with multiple separation dribble moves that made a living attacking the basket and finishing strong against their conference opponents. Our zone limited their penetration opportunities, as well as their big, 6’5” center, who is an excellent drop-step finisher on the post.”

The second half saw Cornell continue adding to the score and the game would go in their win column, 74-44.

“I pulled Dylan Bowe with three minutes left, unaware he was one assist shy of a triple-double,” said Parker.

Bowe finished with a game-high 25 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Anders had another double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, five of which were offensive. He also had 3 assists to complement his team-high 3 steals.

Spangler rediscovered his offensive shooting form, scoring 12 points, to go along with his 6 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Turany scored 8 points on the night, had 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while Munson had both of the team’s blocks. He also snared 8 rebounds, had 3 assists and scored 4 points.

Sophomore Jayden Joas-Shaw added 2 rebounds and an assist, and sophomore Will Peterson had a rebound and an assist. Freshman Hunter Anders scored 2 points on the free throw line and freshman Isaiah Sanchez scored his first varsity points with a three-pointer.

“Everyone got playing time tonight, which was one of my goals entering the contest,” said Parker. “I don’t think Dan, their head coach, took our team seriously entering the matchup, based on his demeanor in our pre-game conversation. It was rewarding watching frustration and panic overtake him from his first time out, onward.”

The Chiefs now sit at 4-16 overall and 1-11 in the league.