By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
If Buchanan was tired from playing four games in eight days, the Bucks didn't show it Tuesday against Brandywine.
The Bucks out-hustled and ran all over the court, creating turnovers on defense that translated into fastbreak points in a 70-30 victory on the road against the Bobcats.
Buchanan traveled more than 10 hours total to win the Traverse City tournament over the weekend. But coach Reid McBeth was able to use his entire bench against Brandywine to make sure his starters didn't get worn out.
As it turns out, fatigue wasn't a factor, McBeth said.
It was evident that the Bucks still all their legs under them in two big first half runs that broke the game wide open.
After the Bobcats grabbed an early 5-2 lead, Buchanan went on a 16-0 run fueled by its defense. Brandywine turned the ball over four straight times in the stretch.
In the second quarter, the Bobcats whittled the Bucks' lead to eight at 24-16. This time, Buchanan reeled off 15 straight points to take control for good.
Defense again sparked the Bucks, who limited Brandywine to no field goals in the second quarter. The Bobcats scored six points in the period, all from the free-throw line.
Brandywine turned the ball over 18 times in the first half, many times near the halfcourt line, resulting in easy layups for the Bucks.
Sidenbender knew that Buchanan was going to be fast on defense. In practice leading up to the game, he said Brandywine ran its starters against seven or eight players at a time on defense to simulate the Bucks' speed. It didn't work, as the Bobcats turned the ball over 28 times.
Despite the big first quarter run, Buchanan entered the second quarter leading by single digits at 19-11. The second quarter run put the Bucks up 41-17 at halftime.
In the second half, it was more of the same, and the opening sequence seemed set the tone.
Buchanan's Brian Shannon hit a jumper on the Bucks' first possession. Jordan Lee then stole the ball at halfcourt. He missed a layup, but Tony Robinson was there for the rebound and the put-back.
The lead grew from there. When Kyle Tracey nailed a 3-pointer to start the fourth, Buchanan went up 42 points to institute a running clock for the remainder of the game.
McBeth credited the play of all of his players for the complete victory Tuesday. It was the first time many of the Bucks have got a chance to play extended minutes this season.
McBeth got a balanced scoring effort from his players Tuesday. Gordon Bryant led the Bucks with 13 points, followed by Shannon with 11. Tony Robinson and Jared Rusher each scored 10 points.
Matt Beaver led Brandywine with eight points. He also had five rebounds to lead the team. It was the second game in a row that no Bobcat reached double figures.
The Bucks and Bobcats are two teams off to very different starts this season. Buchanan is 4-0 heading into Friday night's home opener against Berrien Springs. Brandywine is 0-3, having lost it past two games by an average of 45 points. The Bobcats play Friday at Cass.
Buchanan………74
Brandywine……66
Buchanan (70) - Jeff Kyles 0-1 3-4 3, Brian Shannon 4-6 2-2 11, Kyle Tracey 2-4 0-0 6, Jordan Lee 3-7 0-0 6, Tony Robinson 4-5 2-3 10, P.J. Pollock 2-6 0-0 5, Taylor Johnson 0-4 0-1 0, Gordon Bryant 3-9 4-6 11, Jared Rusher 2-3 6-6 10, Jimmy Washington 3-4 0-2 6, Jason Kuntz 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-50 17-23 70.
Brandywine (30) - Mike Nagy 1-5 0-0 3, Alex Newman 0-1 1-1 1, Matt Wieger 1-4 1-2 4, Zach Bennett 3-7 0-3 6, Justin Ely 1-5 0-1 2, D.J. Elrod 0-1 0-0 0, Bill Bussey 0-4 2-2 2, Kyle Low 0-0 0-0 0, Matt Beaver 4-6 0-0 8, Brett Shoemaker 1-2 4-4 6. Totals: 10-35 8-13 30.
3-point shooting - Buchanan 5-13 (Tracey 2-4, Shannon 1-1, Pollock 1-3, Bryant 1-4, Robinson 0-1), Brandywine 2-11 (Wieger 1-3, Nagy 1-5, Ely 0-1, Beaver 0-2). Fouls (fouled out) - Buchanan 18 (none), Brandywine 18 (non). Rebounds - Buchanan 33 (Kyles 8), Brandywine 29 (Beaver 5).