NorthWood’s Jamarr Jackson puts up a shot attempt over South Bend Clay’s Robert Allen and Christian Love Tuesday afternoon. InkFreeNews photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

NAPPANEE – There were several styles of play NorthWood had to adapt to Tuesday afternoon in the boys basketball matinee against South Bend Clay. The Panthers passed all of the tests.

NorthWood was able to control tempo, play fast, play slow and answer runs all in a 68-51 win over Clay at The Pit.

Nearly all of Clay’s attempts to get NorthWood into a fast-paced first half were answered by NorthWood’s ability to slow Clay down enough to get them out of rhythm. In the midst, NorthWood used its defense to turn into offense. A host of Clay turnovers in transition allowed Cade Brenner and Ben Vincent to set up. Both nailed a pair of threes to help the Panthers to a 22-point second quarter.

And while a 37-22 lead was spacious on the scoreboard, NorthWood head coach Aaron Wolfe was still worried Clay’s athleticism could produce a run.

“We knew Robert Allen could score in bunches and I thought we would do the best job we could and make it tough on him,” Wolfe said. “Then we would be there and not give up open shots to some of the other players. They have a knack for offensive rebounding. They have a knack for getting out in transition. I thought that they were just efficient enough to put some game pressure on us.”

That run could come in the fourth quarter, as the contest had looked all but finished, the Colonials made a push. A four-point possession cut the lead to 12 at 59-47. That was immediately answered by the Panthers, however, with a Brenner three, followed by a stop on the defensive end, then a Chaz Yoder three to quickly push the lead back up to 18.

“I think that’s the maturity of our basketball team,” Wolfe said of the response to Clay in the fourth quarter. “The benefit of answering another team’s run is the sign you are getting experience. We were able to see that today when Clay made a run at us late.”

Brenner and Ian Raasch both finished with 18 points to lead the Panthers (6-1), which have started at least six wins in its first seven games for now the eighth time in the past 11 seasons. Raasch added nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, and Brenner had five rebounds and five assists.

Vincent and Yoder each had eight points, Vincent pitching in six assists and three boards.

Allen led the Colonials (0-6) with 18 points and Christian Love had 14 points. The Colonials are on a stretch of nine straight road games to begin the season.

NorthWood is scheduled to host Columbia City next Tuesday night.