Basketball

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

It’s easy to get comfortable behind the arc and fire up three-pointer after three-pointer.

Through the first nine games and two quarters, 40 percent of St. Anthony’s shots were coming from long range. But the Bulldogs have only been converting those at a 25 percent clip.

That’s not good.

Through the first half Friday night, that trend had not changed. Twelve of the Bulldogs 26 shots – 46 percent – were heaved up from three-point land. And holding true to form, they made just three of those – exactly 25 percent – while shooting at just 27 percent overall.

Cody Rincker’s halftime talk about the importance of shot selection finally resonated with his team. The Bulldogs greatly reduced their three-point attempts in the final two quarters, creating much higher percentage shots in their offense. The result was very impressive.

St. Anthony torched the nets in the second half, making nearly 60 percent of its shots, and turned a nine-point halftime lead into a 29-point victory, posting a 61-32 decision at home over Dieterich.

“We need to take about 25 percent of our shots from three-point range and that’s all,” Rincker noted. “The better shots will increase our chances to score more points. These are smart kids and they adjusted well. During the second half, they did a very good job of being selective.”

Caden Nichols and Parker Wolf combined to scored 13 fourth-quarter points Tuesday night, helping the Newton Eagles post a 63-54 victory at home over St. Anthony.

It was a slim 44-43 advantage heading into the final eight minutes, but the Nichols-Wolf combo helped the hosts outscore the Bulldogs 19-11 and secure the victory, Newton’s seventh in nine games.

It was a very close game most of the way. St. Anthony led 15-14 after the first period and 29-26 at halftime. The Eagles then outscored SAHS 18-14 in the third period to claim that one-point lead.

Nichols finished with a game-high 24 points, while Wolfe and Dylan Gier both scored 16 for Newton.

Collin Westendorf was the only Bulldog to crack double figures, finishing with 17 points. Griffin Sehy and Ryan Schmidt both scored eight.

The Bulldogs dipped to 5-4 on the season. They will return home Friday night for a National Trail Conference matchup with Dieterich.

For the second time this week, the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs found themselves in a tight game with conference implications riding high.

And for the second time in four nights, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed.

Ady Rios scored five points, while Anna Faber and Stacie Vonderheide knocked down crucial free throws in overtime Tuesday night, helping St. Anthony pull out a 72-64 victory at home over Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City.

The two teams battled on even terms throughout. The Lady Bobcats held a slim lead at the end of each of the first three quarters – 17-15 after the first eight minutes; 34-32 at intermission; and 47-46 after the third period.

Lucy Fearday scored eight points in the fourth period, as the Lady Bulldogs tied the game, 61-61, sending it to the extra period.

Rios connected on a three-pointer to help the Lady Bulldogs capture the lead. She also hit another jumper, Fearday added a bucket and Faber and Vonderheide converted their free throws, helping St. Anthony outscore CHBC 11-3 in the overtime session.

Fearday finished with a game-high 24 points and freshman Nancy Ruholl scored 21.

The Lady Bulldogs remained undefeated on the season, improving to 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the National Trail Conference. After handing Altamont its first conference loss Monday night, they dealt the Lady Bobcats their first setback in league play.

St. Anthony will step out of conference Monday night and host their cross-creek rival Teutopolis. And then on Thursday, they will drive across town to play Effingham.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Collin Westendorf has had a so-so start to the season.

He played okay during the season-opening tournament, but had a bad game against North Clay.

Coach Cody Rincker then challenged him and the junior guard has responded.

Westendorf poured in 24 points Tuesday night in St. Anthony’s win over Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City. As a result, he earned his first varsity start Friday on Homecoming Night.

Again, Westendorf responded. He recorded a double-double, helping the Bulldogs roll to a 61-31 victory over St. Elmo/Brownstown.

“He’s playing with a lot of confidence now,” Rincker said. “After we challenged him, I was impressed with how he bounced back. He’s playing with a lot of tenacity, and when he does that, good things happen.”

Westendorf was well on his way to the double-double by intermission. He scored 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the first half, helping SAHS built a comfortable double-digit lead.

Fewer three-pointers, zone press helps Bulldogs defeat Dieterich

Bulldogs drop 63-54 decision at Newton

Lady Bulldogs still unbeaten after OT win over CHBC

Westendorf's double-double helps Bulldogs roll to 61-31 win

Bulldogs grab early lead, roll to easy win at CHBC