CRESTLINE — Balanced scoring and the ability to shoot from long-range was all Buckeye Central needed to secure its first win of the boys basketball season, a 71-57 verdict over Crestline in a non-league game Tuesday night.
The Bucks put three players in double figures and converted on 9 shots beyond the arc. They were led by Jack Phillips with 20 points and 6 rebounds.
Sophomore Hunter Caudill came off the bench and provided an instant spark, as he scored 17 points, including 4 three-point tries. Seniors Devin Siefert added 16 and 4 rebounds and Heath Jensen chipped in 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals and an assist.
“It feels really good to get that first win. The bottom line is the kids are putting in work and they’re inexperienced at the varsity level, so to get them their first win is big for the program,” said Buckeye Central head coach Chris Moyer.
The Bucks (1-2, 0-1) started the season with losses to Plymouth and Wynford.
“We’ve got two tough ones later this week with Colonel Crawford and Mohawk,” he said.
“Give credit to the Crestline kids. We were up 24 or 25 and they’re fighting just like we are. They’re young like us; two very similar teams.”
Crestline is 1-4, 1-0. Both Moyer and Crestline head coach Paul Webb are in their maiden seasons leading the two programs.
Buckeye took a 13-12 lead after one and pushed it to a 15-point margin at halftime. But the Bulldogs had some bite left in them and outscored BC 34-33 in the second half.
“I gotta do a better job of having us ready to play. My kids weren’t ready to go, and I need to do a better job. It took us too long to get going. They shot it well tonight,” Webb said.
“No. 1, (Caudill) I watched film, and I had a worry he would do what he did. He’s not scared to shoot. It didn’t go our way tonight.
“My kids are young, and I really love ’em. We are going to be a good basketball team. I get every kid back for 2 or 3 years and one of them that starts (Cody Lawhorn) for 4 years,” Webb said.
Crestline got 16 points from junior Carter Giesege and 15 from sophomore Caydin Jarvis.
Brett Cheney, a 6-6 sophomore post, added 9 points and 9 rebounds. Lawhorn scored 5 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.
Moyer was pleased with the balanced scoring.
“That’s what happens when you spread the ball. We’re guard oriented. Finally, we’ve seen the basketball go in. We had 57 points in 2 games coming into tonight, so to put 71 up. Once it starts going in the basket for the guys, it’s kind of contagious,” he said.
The Bucks are a young squad and still learning to play together.
“Heath and Jack Phillips are my only two guys who played varsity basketball last year. We got 5 guys who were playing jayvee or freshman ball last year.
“The physicality is what we’re struggling with,” Moyer added. “We don’t have a lot of length. But the guys are starting to get it a little bit. We’ve got a ways to go as far as basketball IQ goes at times,” Moyer said.
Having a young player like Caudill come in and provide an immediate boost is a welcome sight.
“Hunter is instant offense. He loves to shoot the ball and is very skilled offensively. For his size, he does a good job of being able to get into the paint and get it off. He’s coming off that bench to be that big plug.”
Webb liked the spirit of his team.
“They respond every time I kind of get into them a little bit. They don’t ever quit and have a respect factor. It’s impressive to watch three sophomores, a freshman and two juniors to have that kind of fight to come back,” he said.
Crestline cut it to a 10-point margin with a little over a minute to play.
“I’d love to tell you it’s gonna be Friday, but I know they’re going to be a good basketball team. I have all the faith in those 6 guys I have right now. These kids are not going to quit.”
The Bulldogs struggled at the foul line, hitting on just 16-of-30 attempts.
“I think that’s a young team thing. We don’t have bad shooters. This group is not that way. When the lights are on, even a Tuesday with a pretty good crowd tonight, it’s still a little bit bright for them,” Webb said.
“I don’t worry about the free throw shooting. It’s a comfort thing. As the season goes on, they’re going to continue to be more comfortable.”
Buckeye Central hosts Colonel Crawford on Thursday. Crestline visits Mansfield Christian Friday night as both teams resume league play.
Box score
Buckeye Central 13 25 19 14 — 71
Crestline 12 11 12 22 — 57
Buckeye Central: (1-2) Shots 27-62; 3-pt shots 9-30 (Hunter Caudill 4, Devin Siefert 2, Heath Jensen, Cade Daniel, Jack Phillips); Free throws 8-13; Rebounds 21 (Jack Phillips 6); Turnovers 9. Scoring: Hunter Caudill 6 1 17, Heath Jensen 2 4 9, Devin Siefert 7 0 16, Cade Daniel 1 0 3, Jeremiah Fishpaw 1 0 2, Jack Phillips 8 3 20, Matthew Heefner 2 0 4.
Crestline: (1-4): Shots 18-45; 3-pt. shots 5-16 (Drew McCune 2, Carter Giesege 2, Caydin Jarvis); Free throws 16-30; Rebounds 22 (Brett Cheney 9); Turnovers 10. Scoring: Kody Lawhorn 2 1 5, Carter Giesege 4 6 16, Caydin Jarvis 5 4 15, Drew McCune 2 0 6, Kieren Barnett 2 2 6, Brett Cheney 3 3 9.
JV: Buckeye Central 41-39.