By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – The Buchanan boys' basketball season opener was a run-a-way for the Bucks as they squashed the visiting White Pigeon Chiefs 68-33 in a non-league contest Tuesday evening in the Buck gym.
Buchanan raced out to an 18-0 first quarter lead and were never threatened as the Chiefs couldn't find the bottom of the net and finished the first half 2-of-27 from the field and trailing 30-6 at the break.
"It may have been a little defense but their shot's weren't falling," Buchanan coach Reid McBeth said following the win. "I think they are going to be a team that is going to rely on their perimeter shooting. If your shots aren't going and you're relying on that it's tough to score sometimes. I think our kids did a good job playing defense and we are trying to work on a few new things and obviously it was a good first game for us but there is still some things we certainly need to get a lot better at. I was proud of the effort from all eleven guys that got onto the floor, that was good to see."
Buchanan finished the night hitting 28-of-55 shots from the field.
Derek Anglero sparked the Bucks in the opening period scoring seven of the teams first nine points and finished the night with 17 points hitting 7-of-9 from the field, knocking three, 3-pointers.
Marquis Hall finished the night with a game-high 18 points, four assists and four steals. Avery Brown added 10 points and Clinton Orr finished the night with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Tyler Nichols with 11 and Bryce Erbe with 10.
"You have to give credit to Buchanan," White Pigeon coach Mike Swoles said of his team's slow start. "Exceptional speed, quickness, good ball handlers, good shooting, they have a well balanced team. We didn't shoot the ball well but I don't have any problem with our team's effort. Obviously we would like to execute a little better but I thought our effort was pretty good we just played a very good basketball team."
Buchanan's junior varsity team opened the season with a 61-28 win over White Pigeon. Spencer Anglero netted 20 for the junior Bucks.
WHITE PIGEON 33
Alan Harrington 1 2-2 4, Tyler Block 1 0-2 2, Tyler Nichols 4 0-0 11, Codee Workman 1 0-0 2, Nic Harrington 0 2-2 2, Bryce Erbe 3 3-5 10, Mitch Wolf 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 7-13 33
BUCHANAN 68
Derek Anglero 7 0-0 17, Avery Brown 5 0-0 10, Jon Young 0 0-2 0, Aaron White 1 0-1 2, Marquis Hall 8 2-4 18, Clinton Orr 4 0-1 9, Jeff Jurue 1 0-0 2, Duru Dursun 1 0-3 2, Evan Cauffman 0 0-0 0, David Watts 1 0-0 2, Bryan Kuntz 2 2-3 6. Totals: 30 4-14 68
White Pigeon 0 6 12 15 – 33
Buchanan 18 12 19 19 – 68
3-point baskets: Anglero (B) 3, Orr (B), Nichols (WP) 3, Erbe (WP). Total fouls: Buchanan 15, White Pigeon 16. Fouled out: Erbe (WP). Records: Buchanan 1-0, White Pigeon 0-1