×

Balance, boards lift Niles

Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo SaQuaan McGuire, center, of Niles guards Jatise Garrison of Lakeview as the Red Dragons utilize full-court pressure in their 67-47 win over the Bulldogs Friday night at Veterans Memorial Gymnasium.

NILES — It’s a rarity when Niles has three players in double figures.

It’s more of a feat when the Red Dragons hover around the glass.

Niles relied mainly on Cameron Kane-Johnson the last couple of seasons. The Westminster College freshman usually scored around 30 points per game for the Red Dragons and is the school’s all-time leading scorer.

On Friday night, Corbin Foy, who averages 15 points a game, was out with an illness, but it didn’t stop the Red Dragons from finding their balance in a 67-47 victory over Lakeview at Veterans Memorial Gymnasium.

Niles’ Ty’rese Williams had a game-high 23 points, while Da’Jon Motley had 17 and Cyler Kane-Johnson, Cameron’s younger brother, put in 12.

Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo Lakeview’s Chris Muir (12) fires a 3-pointer over Niles defender Ty’rese Williams.

“For us to balance it out and come through like that, we’re happy after struggling offensively (Tuesday) against Boardman,” Niles coach Ron Price said. “I thought we played so hard and fought through.

“We’re going to get better the more this group plays together.”

The Red Dragons (2-1, 1-0 All-American Conference White Tier), who haven’t been known as a decent rebounding team in the past, found themselves scrapping around the basket most of the night.

SaQuaan McGuire had close to 20 rebounds, but Williams, who stands 5-10, was around the hoop as as well.

“We’re just scratching the surface with SaQuaan,” Price said. “Rebounding is always an issue because of our size. We have three or four kids that can really go after that ball. Our guards are athletic enough to go after that ball. We were hoping it was a positive. It has been the first three games.

“We’ve got to continue the way we play. The rebounding is definitely a factor there, no question.”

Lakeview (1-3, 0-1) had a 14-11 lead after one quarter, but Williams had 12 of Niles’ 21 points in the second quarter as the Red Dragons surged ahead for a 32-26 lead at halftime.

Williams has been fighting some ankle problems in the beginning of the season, but Price was impressed with his gritty nature. The ankle was wrapped and Price said Williams played on adrenaline. He got hurt in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s Boardman loss.

“He’s one heck of a tough kid,” Price said. “He competes. He don’t worry about anything. He’ll rebound, pass. He’s gotten better shooting the ball, obviously. He can drive it. He can drive the basketball very well. We love the kid so much. He’s our heart and soul.”

It was something Williams had to do to set the pace for the Red Dragons.

“I saw a lot of openings in the defense,” he said. “I just went up and finished.”

Williams found a cutting Jasson Faison late in the third quarter as the Red Dragons amassed a 47-33 lead and led 50-36 after three quarters.

“He just made some plays,” Lakeview coach Ryan Fitch said of Williams. “He got to the rim. We had a little trouble containing the dribble drive and he got to the rim, finished at the rim. That was the difference tonight. They finished. We didn’t finish.”

It wasn’t like the Bulldogs didn’t have offensive opportunities. They did. It seemed like most of their shots were either short or went in and out of the hoop.

Chris Muir led Lakeview with 19 points.

“You try to run shooting drills at practice where they’re game speed, game-type of situations,” Fitch said. “Unfortunately we had open looks, but didn’t make them. You don’t make open looks, you’re not going to win against a team that’s athletic as Niles.”

The Red Dragons didn’t have a problem scoring — outscoring Lakeview 39-22 in the second and third quarters.

“We started scoring in a multitude of ways,” Price said. “It’ll be a different story over at their place. They’re a solid team.”

If the Red Dragons want to continue their success, they must have balanced scoring — like they did Friday.

“If we do, we’ll be successful,” Williams said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today