By By ROB BABLER / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - In a classic size-versus-speed match-up Friday night, speed beat size, as the host Buchanan Bucks outran the Albion Wildcats, 75-55 in a rematch of last year's class C quarterfinal game.
The Bucks also came out on top in that contest, 60-47.
Buchanan coach Reid McBeth said his team needed use its speed to its fullest potential.
McBeth said one twist in playing the Wildcats is they can run as well.
But while McBeth considers Albion fast, Wildcat coach Durant Crum said his team wasn't fast enough.
Albion took an 11-9 lead midway through the first quarter, doing its best to get the ball down low to 6-foot-5 forwards Vashawn White and Neil Washington. The visiting team had only limited success, as Buchanan's perimeter defenders made it hard to get the ball down low.
Buck center Jimmy Washington contributed to the frustration by playing strong low-post defense, leading his team with nine rebounds.
This, despite giving up at least two inches to his opponents.
McBeth said perhaps Washington had a little extra motivation, as he transferred from Albion last year.
In addition to Buchanan's speed and defense, Albion had trouble getting shots down low at all because of its difficulty in holding onto the ball.
Buchanan pushed ahead by the end of the quarter 23-17 by running the ball every chance it got, and getting back on defense quickly. Although the Wildcats kept it close in the first half, only down 43-34 at halftime, the Bucks went on a 21-8 run in the third quarter to put the game safely out of reach at 61-42.
McBeth attributed the run to his players wearing Albion out, both offensively and defensively.
Lakers," he said. "They're not going to slow down. Offensively our number-one goal is to push the ball up the floor as quick as we can."
Gordon Bryant led the Bucks with 23 points. Washington contributed 11 points, while Brian Shannon and Jordan Lee each had 10 points.