MIAMI – Rusty Mercer wanted his Miami Wardogs to get off to a fast start Friday night against Grove.
Wow did they do that.
“It was really imperative that we jump out early,” Mercer said. “We talked about that for three straight days: energy, energy, energy. We wanted to get the floor tilted, get downhill and get some points early. We wanted to speed them up.”
The win hopefully stemmed a run that has seen the Dogs fall to Catoosa, pound Jay, lose at Pryor then bounce back to beat Grove.
Miami stands 10-5 overall. The Dogs and Fort Gibson share the Verdigris Valley Conference lead at 7-1.
Grove slipped to 3-8 overall and the Runners are 0-7 in league play.
“Grove had been playing well coming into here,” Mercer said. “They had really been holding the ball, running the clock and keeping the scores down. When they get a lead, they’ve been really tough. They are taking your post kids away from the basket and making them get out and cover.”
The Wardogs were efficient on offense, downing 28 field goals, but only four from beyond the arc.
On the night, they were 28-of-45, including 24-of-31 from 2-point range.
“That is pretty efficient,” Mercer said. “I like this team. We can score in transition; we can score in the half court, inside-outside. We are pretty multiple. We got some easy looks. That is a credit to our guys.”
Miami finished with 15 assists, with Colt Summers and Beau Bussey doling out four each.
“Our ball movement was great,” Mercer said. “I can’t ask for much more. We got some run-throughs on defense. We were very active on the floor. It was fun to see Wyatt Rathjen get out on the floor and run like that.”
Rathjen had a season-best 17 points, with the production coming from all over the floor. He had only one free throw.
“That is what we expect,” Mercer said.
Joining Rathjen in double figures were Chris Osborn and Bussey with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Miami was up 18-8 after the first quarter lead then used a 17-2 spree in the second to forge a 40-16 advantage.
The Dogs outscored Grove 18-7 in the third period.
“Against Jay and now with Grove, we took care of business early,” Mercer said. “We have to keep that mentality because it’s the time of year where you have to have it.”
Jake Spychalski had 14 points to lead the Ridgerunners on offense.
Miami is off until Thursday when it faces Monett, Mo., at 7:30 p.m. In a Boys’ Gold bracket game at the MAC in the Northeastern A&M High School Basketball tournament.
Grove will face Tulsa McLain in the first round in the same bracket at the NEO tournament. That game will be 6 p.m. Thursday at the Civic Center in Miami.
