The Niles boys basketball team went on a 20-0 run in the first quarter Wednesday and coasted the rest of the way in an 81-62 win over Three Rivers.

It was the season-opener for the Vikings, whose biggest lead was 26 points.

“We made the extra pass and really shared the ball,” Niles boys basketball coach Todd Pawielski said about his team’s strong start. “Our energy level tends to go up when the ball is going in the basket. We also pressed during that time and our kids were really active.”

The highlight during that 20-0 came at the end when Dontae Murphy stole the ball and scored on a dunk.

Pawielski used 12 players and eight of them scored. Jake Hamm led the way with 21 points, including three 3-pointers, and five rebounds. Gavin Rasler and Gabe Stokes each added 16 points. Rasler also grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and Stokes connected on three 3-pointers. Murphy contributed 13 points, three steals and three rebounds off the bench.

Niles owned a 42-29 rebounding advantage. Eight Viking players had at least three rebounds.

Despite the big win, Pawielski feels that his team has plenty of room for improvement.

“I was disappointed with our defense,” Pawielski said. “Defense is about a want and a will and right now we don’t seem to have either. We stare at the ball and don’t move are feet. I just didn’t see a team that wanted to be one of the better teams in our conference tonight. I wish we were a little bit more consistent on both ends of the floor.”

Three Rivers, which was also playing its first game of the year, scored 55 points over the final three quarters.

Adam Reed scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Wildcats.

 

NILES 81, THREE RIVERS 62

THREE RIVERS 62

Cameron Cottingham 6, Zakary Zagon 1, Tate Ellifritz 9, Gavin Golembiewski 6, Adam Reed 17, Elijah Hamilton 8, Chad Sage 0, Johnel Stewart 6, Tanner Blyly 5, Isaiah Smith 2, Zach Turner 0, Jacob Ross 2. TOTALS: 25 8-18 62

NILES 81

Gavin Rasler 16, Tyler Phillips 2, Jake Hamm 21, Gabe Stokes 16, Ra’Quon Glenn 0, Alex Harpenau 8, Adam Langmeyer 0, Dontae Murphy 13, Devin Kuemin 0, Jalen Alexander 0, Derek Brown 2, Jayden Anderson 3. TOTALS: 28 17-29 81

 

Three Rivers              7          24       41       62

Niles                            22       40       64       81

3-point goals: Three Rivers 4 (Hamilton 2, Ellifritz, Reed), Niles 8 (Hamm 3, Stokes 3, Murphy, Rasler). Total fouls (fouled out): Three Rivers 22 (Zagon), Niles 21 (none). Shooting: Three Rivers 25-of-65 for 38-percent, Niles 28-of-60 for 47-percent. Rebounding: Three Rivers 29 (Reed 9), Niles 42 (Rasler 10). Turnovers: Three Rivers 25, Niles 26