RANDY HISNER
WZBD.com
BERNE – The Bishop Luers Knights outscored the South Adams Starfires 24-11 in the second quarter to break open a close game on their way to a 76-44 semifinal win Friday in the South Adams 2A Boys’ Sectional.
The Starfires had held their own against the sectional favorite and eighth-ranked (AP 2A poll) Knights in the first quarter, trailing only 17-14. Though Bishop Luers scored first, on Ayle Taylor’s free throw, the Starfires scored the next seven points on freshman Gavin Herring’s layup, a bucket underneath by Henry Fields (thanks to a slick assist from Isaac Scott), and Tytus Lehman’s three-pointer.
But in the next two minutes, the Knights went on a 13-0 run to take a 14-7 lead at the 3:41 mark. Dereon Truesdale scored five during the rally and Daniel Kelly capped it with a two-handed dunk on a fast break.
The Starfires didn’t fold. They outscored the Knights 7-3 the rest of the quarter to pull within three at the buzzer. All seven points were scored by Starfire freshmen, Herring getting a put back and a three-point play, and Nolan Colpaert hitting two free throws.
Lehman tied the game at 17-17 with a three-pointer from the top of the key to open the second quarter. Dreylyn Truesdale replied with back-to-back threes to jump start a 16-3 Luers run over the next 3:20, putting the Knights on top by a 33-20 count.
The Knights continued to dictate the pace with their pressure defense and fast break style, adding to their lead until it was 41-25 at the half.
The Knights forced the Starfires into nine turnovers in the third quarter on their way to a 17-6 advantage and a 58-31 lead. Dereon Truesdale scored seven for the Knights, and his twin brother, Dreylyn, joined the Luers 1,000-point club with his quarter-opening three-pointer. Both brothers will play for Central Michigan next season.
The Knights called off the press and emptied their bench in the final period but showed their depth by still outscoring the Starfires, 18-13.
“Our kids played tough,” said first-year South Adams coach Kyle Roe, who was especially pleased with his team’s first-quarter performance. “We don’t have their height and athleticism and maybe the depth, but for what we had I thought we played the best we could.”
South Adams scoring: Lehman 19, Herring 11, Colpaert 6, Scott 2, Derek McKean 2, Henry Craig 2, Hunter Fields 2.
Bishop Luers scoring: Dereon Truesdale 19, Dreylyn Truesdale 13, Taylor 12, Jayden Moore 9, Kelly 7, Cameron Davis 6, Zach Calderon 5, Hunter Meek 2, Charles McBride 2, Zen Szaferski 1.
The Starfires finished the season 6-16 and return all their starters next season except for Scott. The Knights improved to 20-6. They will play Woodlan in the championship game Saturday at 7:30 P.M.
About the Author
