DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
COPPESS CORNER – The Casey Adams era has begun at Adams Central and the new Jets coach did it in style, beating Southern Wells in the home and ACAC opener, 62-44.
Braylend Reber led the Jets in scoring in his first game as a senior, scoring 21 with some hot shooting in the first quarter, where the Jets jumped out to a big lead that held up throughout the night.
After the JV team pulled away late for a 42-26 victory, Adams Central got off to a hot start, preventing Southern Wells from getting set up and started right offensively. The home team led 13-3 with three minutes to go and took a 20-7 lead into the first quarter break.
Southern Wells got their offense going, however, with some great guard play by Adam Aulbach, who created opportunities for the Raiders’ two big men to score down low. Josh Aulbach and Jaxon Casterline created matchup issues for the Jets defensively. The two bigs ultimately provided 30 combined points for Southern Wells, driving the Raiders forward on an 11-0 run, closing the gap to just two points.
That run ended with a three from Lawson Deathe, whose motor never stopped running on a night where he scored 15 for the home team.
The Raiders went into half down just six points, but Adams Central when on a 17-1 run to begin the third quarter that put the game away. Dirk Frauhiger stopped the bleeding with his only points of the night – a three for Southern Wells, but the margin was too much by then.
Southern Wells did everything they could in the fourth quarter and took a moral victory from outplaying Adams Central in the final 90 seconds to finish the fourth with the same point tally as the Jets (15).
Hunter Durham had eight points for Southern Wells.
Drew Johnson had 16 for the Jets.
As is often the case after a first game, coach Adams will have plenty of positives and negatives to cover with his team. From the positive perspective, his team took care of the ball, with just five turnovers all night. On the flip side, they had a wretched night at the free throw line, knocking down 5 of 15.
Adams Central won the rebounding contest 36-35 with their slight edge in offensive boards. The Jets also out shot Southern Wells from the field thanks to a 48% shooting night from two-point range.
The Jets are back in action Wednesday at home when they play Whitko, a sectional rival for Adams Central.
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