Indians dispatch Whips
HAMPSHIRE -- After giving undefeated Winnebago a run for its money at the Marengo Tournament less than two weeks ago, Hampshire was full of optimism before its rematch against the Indians on Saturday.
However, even with point guards Justin Bieber and Evan Brenner back in the lineup for the Whip-Purs, the Indians showcased their skills from start to finish, handing the Whips a 57-41 defeat in a Big Northern Conference crossover game.
The Indians -- led by 6-foot-7 forward Chas Cross -- outscored Hampshire in every quarter and got contributions all around on a rotation that went nine deep.
"It was men versus boys out there," Hampshire coach Bob Barnett said. "We got everybody back and we didn't do anything with it."
Winnebago (13-0) scored most of its points in the paint, but had little trouble finding its range from the perimeter. The Indians shot 60 percent (21 of 35) from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers.
The Whips found it difficult to drive the hoop and create shots because of the Indians' height, which features another 6-7 starter, and shot just 34 percent (15 of 43) from the field.
"Look where (Winnebago's) shooting from," Barnett said. "When you're shooting four- and five-footers, that's gonna open up the 3 and that's something we had trouble doing."
Early on, it looked like a defensive-minded game with each team having trouble getting into a rhythm offensively. After the Whips had tied the game at 7 on jumped from Bieber, Winnebago closed out the quarter on a 5-0 run after a bucket from Cross and a 3-pointer from Russell Fiori.
Cross scored eight of his team's 12 first-quarter points and finished with a game-high 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field.
With Winnebago looking to break away late in the second quarter, Brenner -- in action for the first time this season after being sidelined with a pair of injuries -- hit an off-balance jumper with seconds remaining to keep his team within striking distance at 30-20.
Winnebago then pulled away for good by going on another quick 8-0 run to take a 39-23 lead midway through the third quarter. After that, the closest Hampshire got was 12 points.
"They got a bunch (of scorers)," Barnett said. "They bring two kids off the bench that can knock down 3's, another can penetrate real well, very quick, handles the ball. Then they bring in a big kid who can score inside. They've got everything they need and they're young."
Bieber led the Whips with nine points. Senior Will Bush added eight, while Shyler Ralphs and Tyler Watzlawick each finished with seven.
"Changes are gonna happen," Barnett said. "Right now we're 5-6 and have lost two in a row. We have to get better because right now we're ebbing and it's not time to do that. But we'll come back Monday and start over."
