By Nolan Epstein
Springfield, Mo. — Take notice, Ozarks basketball fans – Springfield Catholic is getting hot at the right time.
After posting a rather mediocre 7-6 record to start the season, the Irish have now won six consecutive games and added Rogersville to the list of their latest victims as Catholic (13-6) sealed a 50-40 home victory over the Wildcats (12-9) on Tuesday.
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And it was no surprise to see the host club continue the streak by utilizing perhaps its strongest asset – defense.
Holding its opponent to 40 points or less for the fifth game in a row, Catholic suffocated the visiting Wildcats from the opening tip and didn’t let up – limiting Rogersville to just six points in the first quarter and leading the contest wire-to-wire.
“Catholic really set the tone early in the game and really hit us in the mouth,” Rogersville head coach Mitch McHenry said. “We never really got back on our feet and never really responded. We played hard, but we never responded.”
Catholic crashed the boards valiantly on both ends as the Irish boasted a heavy offensive and defensive rebounding advantage, severely limiting second-chance opportunities for the Wildcats while gaining those second chances themselves on offense.
“They were just a step faster than us the entire night,” added McHenry of Catholic. “We didn’t get very many offensive rebounds and they got quite a few. They just outworked us and that’s the bottom line. When you get outworked by a team, the rebounding stat really shows up.”
Although it was a strong overall effort on defense by his team, one player in particular stood out to head coach Tony Armstrong after the win – Mike Manzardo.
Manzardo, a talented sophomore forward, pleased his coach in the final minutes by showing some long-awaited guarding prowess.
“Mike has taken more chewings for not being able to guard,” Armstrong said, showing a smile. “At the end [of the game], about three or four times, he closed out and had a hand in the shooter’s face. We’ve been after him for two years and I just hope he doesn’t forget it before Thursday.”
The Irish were led in scoring by Brett Maes (12), Jake Branham (11) and Ian Cochran (10). Manzardo added 9 points in a balanced scoring attack.
“That’s who we are,” said Armstrong of his team’s offensive balance. “We have decided to trust our teammates and that’s how we’ve got to play. We share the ball. We have six guys who shoot between six and nine shots a game.”
Senior guard Matt McHenry made the lone noise for the Wildcats on Tuesday and led all scorers with 23 points in a solid showing.
Catholic’s win marked the first time the Irish have defeated Rogersville since joining the COC and now carry a 1-8 record against the Wildcats in conference play. Despite the breakthrough, Armstrong is more concerned about continuing this season’s winning streak.
“We kind of have a chance to do something that nobody thought we would do early in the year,” noted Armstrong. “They thought we were too young and that next year would be our year, but maybe this year is turning out to be our year.”
Catholic hosts Ash Grove on Thursday, while Rogersville welcomes in Hollister on Friday for homecoming.
Box Score
Rogersville – 6 12 11 11 – 40
Catholic – 15 8 14 13 – 50
Rogersville – Matt McHenry 23, Luke Vandersnick 7, Ryker Strong 5, Drew Ritter 4, Jarrett Stiles 1
Catholic – Brett Maes 12, Jake Branham 11, Ian Cochran 10, Mike Manzardo 9, Charlie O’Reilly 5, Lincoln Jones 2, Tyson Riley 1
