HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Colonel Crawford took care of business on a night filled with emotion and nostalgia. The Eagles remained focused and took a 65-21 win over county rival Wynford in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game Saturday night.
“Our defensive pressure was good all night. We recognized that inside-out is good, whether you’re inside on a drive to score or a post feed. Then they double and you kick it out and we’ve got shooters,” said Eagles head coach David Sheldon.
John DeGray led Colonel Crawford (9-1, 6-0) with 17, with 15 coming in the first half. He added 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, a pair of steals and an assist. Logan Goddard added 12 on 4 shots beyond the arc.
The game was the first played on the newly named Rob Sheldon Court, which was dedicated prior to the contest.
“We came over here and did what we needed to do in game 6 of a 14-game league journey,” Sheldon added.
Dealing with the pre-game events and then transitioning to coaching his team was the challenge for the son of a coaching legend.
“Once that’s over, those (Crawford players) are my sons. We talked about this being a special night for our family and this great Wynford community. But once that’s over it’s time for Colonel Crawford basketball,” he said.
That brand of basketball means defense, as Wynford managed just seven field goals and 14 first-half points, falling behind 45-14.
“I thought our guys came out with great energy and that was the key with all the hype and stuff going on. We told them you’ve got to bring the energy, and I thought we did that.”
Wynford (1-8, 1-6) was led by senior Wes Prenger with 10 points and 2 rebounds.
The second half featured a running clock beginning with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter.
“Even our guys off the bench. We had no letdown. Guys were making shots and finishing,” Sheldon said.
“Prenger’s a great player. Our defense. We made stuff tough all night. Wes can really play. He’s very talented over the past four years here.”
Royals head coach Adam Guinther was pleased with several aspects of his squad’s performance.
“They have two players who lead the league in scoring. If you had told me we gave up 11 to (Brayden) Holt and 6 to Payne DeGray, I’d say we are in this game,” he said.
“We devoted a lot of resources to hounding those two guys. But they’re a very balanced team and have other guys who can step up. They have capable players all over the court.”
Wynford was hurt by 20 turnovers, a number of them unforced. The Eagles had 11 steals, paced by Holt’s 3 and 2 each from John DeGray and Peyton Baker.
The Royals were held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
John DeGray had another stellar performance on both ends of the court, following his 12-point effort in the win over Cardington last Saturday.
“We preach one possession at a time a time. I didn’t think he had the energy defensively out of the gate. But he responded. He went back in, and he guarded, was finishing at the rim getting offensive rebounds. He’s so athletic. The kid works at the game and he’s a huge option next to his brother when people try to help on him,” Sheldon said.
The Eagles are off until Friday night when they host Mohawk (7-0, 5-0) in a battle of N10 unbeatens at Mac Morrison Gymnasium.
Wynford travels to Pleasant in a nonleague game Tuesday night.
“We’re young and only have two kids who saw a lot of varsity last year back. There’s only two juniors and we’re a young team. We’ve got a freshman or two we’re trying to work in there,” Guinther said.
“I’m playing two games here, if you will. Trying to coach with the seniors and keeping them engaged and helping them become better basketball players. But I’m also looking long-term as well.”
Being more physical is an area the Royals need to improve upon, Guinther said.
“Crawford has a lot of kids who play football. Same as does Mohawk. We don’t have that same thing, so that’s a project we need to work on in the off-season getting bigger and stronger.”
Box score
Colonel Crawford 24 21 12 8 — 65
Wynford 9 5 7 0 — 21
Colonel Crawford (9-1, 6-0 N10): Shots 25-40; 3-pt. shots 7-16 (Logan Goddard 4, Brady Hill, Brayden Holt, Lucas Foy); Free throws 8-9; Rebounds 12 (John DeGray 4, Payne DeGray 4); Turnovers 3. Scoring: Walker Cramer 1 1 3, Peyton Baker 1 0 2, Logan Goddard 4 0 12, Brady Hill 1 0 3, Parker Weithman 1 0 2, John DeGray 8 1 17, Lucas Foy 1 0 3, Brayden Holt 2 6 11, Kaden Bruner 3 0 6, Payne DeGray 3 0 6.
Wynford (1-8, 1-6 N10): Shots 7-23; 3-pt. shots 2-11 (Wes Prenger, Drew Johnson); Free throws 5-6; Rebounds 13 (Drew Stanek 6); Turnovers 20. Scoring: Drew Stanek 1 2 4, Dawson Pelter 1 0 2, Wes Prenger 3 3 10, Drew Johnson 2 0 5.
JV: Colonel Crawford 54-44.