By By MICHAEL BASHARA / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN -- The Class C No. 7-ranked Buchanan varsity basketball team rolled over Edwardsburg Tuesday night in a 79-56 Lakeland Conference victory.
The game was never really in doubt. Although it started with both teams missing scoring opportunities early, once the scoring started Buchanan was never seriously challenged.
Buchanan scored first at 5:49 when Zach Bonham hit an inside jump shoot. Edwardsurg answered when Phil Bretschneider hit 1-of-2 free throws. After the free throw, Buchanan ran off eight more straight points, and finished the quarter with a 23-6 lead.
Edwardsburg was able to cut into the lead a little in the second quarter thanks to shooting a lot of free throws. The Eddies outscored the Bucks 21-17 in the period.
Talking about the fouls, Buchanan head coach Reid McBeth said, "I guess we have to get quicker. We teach our kids not to reach. I guess we will have to work on getting to places on the floor faster."
Buchanan was led by Quinton Buish who scored 16 points coming off the bench in the final three quarters. Buchanan had four players in double figures. Buchanan got 33 points from its bench and 46 points from its starters.
When asked about the game Mcbeth said, "It was an ugly game, but it's a win. I was happy with our effort, but not happy with the turnovers. We have to work on protecting the basketball."
Buchanan forced 21 turnovers, but committed 22. The Bucks had a rebounding advantage of 42-30. Buchanan scored a lot of points in the paint both on its inside game and on offensive rebounds.
Actually Bryant almost had a double-double with 11 assists and 9 rebounds. Tony Robinson had 15 points, and Bonham scored 13 points.
Buchanan moves to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the conference. Edwardsburg falls to 2-5 on the seasons and 1-3 in the conference.
Buchanan has a 10-day layoff before travelling to Bridgman on Friday, January 23. Edwardsburg hosts Brandywine Friday night.
The junior varsity game was won by Buchanan, 67-65 in overtime. P.J. Pollock led the way with 32 points for the Bucks. Jeff Kyles added 13 points and Eric Cole hit for 11 points.
Edwardsburg's freshmen beat Buchanan 49-34. Damien Bryant led the Bucks with 14 points.
Buchanan……..79
Edwardsburg….56
Buchanan: Zach Bonham 5 3-3 13, Tony Robinson 6 3-4 15, DuJuan Bennett 3 3-4 9, Gordon Bryant 2 0-2 4, Brian Shannon 2 0-0 5, Quinton Buish 7 2-3 16, Brandon Kyles 0 0-0 0, Jordan Lee 4 2-2 10, Rodney Tembo 0 0-0 0, Kyle Tracey 0 0-0 0, Jacob Brown 2 3-6 7, Jared Rusher 0 0-0 0, Karl Schmidt 0 0-0 0, Raylin Hinds 0 0-0 0. Totals: 31 16-24 79
Edwardsburg: Anthony Peak 1 0-0 3, Chris Nugent 2 4-5 8, Phil Bretschneider 3 4-5 10, Nick Roth 0 2-2 2, Nathan Peak 0 2-2 2, Derek Tighe 6 2-4 16, Ryan Haines 0 0-0 0, Robbie Sevison 1 1-1 3, Doug Shuttleworth 1 5-6 7, Matt Horvath 1 1-3 3, Mike Grabemeyer 0 0-0 0, Rick Finley 0 0-0 0, Zach Rooney 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 21-28 56
Buchanan 23 17 21 18--79
Edwardsburg 6 21 18 11--56
3-point shooting: Buchanan 1 (Shannon), Edwardsburg 3 (Tighe 2, A. Peak). Team fouls (fouled out): Buchanan 21 (none), Edwardsburg 23 (A. Peak). Team records: Buchanan 7-0 (4-0 Lakeland), Edwardsburg 2-5 (1-3)