CNE’s Patrick Cornett goes in for a layup.

Clermont Northeastern and New Richmond met for the third time this season on Wednesday, Feb. 29 in an all-Southern Buckeye Conference sectional semifinal that saw the Rockets overcome an early 7-2 deficit to defeat the Lions 42-38.

 

The Rockets gained some quality information by scouting the Lions during New Richmond’s 48-42 first-round victory over Norwood.

“They struggled with the two-three zone that Norwood ran early,” CNE coach Jason Iles said. “We drew up the game plan to play a zone and get a hand in the shooters’ face and make them put it on the floor. It worked out pretty well because we held them to 38 points, which is well below their season average of 52.”

The Rockets’ zone did a lot to affect the way New Richmond wanted to play. After burning an early timeout down 7-2, Iles and the Rockets made an effort to force the Lions to use the dribble to get into the zone and shoot mid-range jump shots, something New Richmond struggled with.

“They really slowed the game down on us a lot,” New Richmond coach Brian McMonigle said. “They played a zone most of the game and did a good job swarming my guys on the post. They forced quite a bit of turnovers because we were trying to dribble through the zone and not moving the ball enough.”

The Rockets took a 14-11 lead after the first quarter and built it to 10 points by the half thanks to quality games by three individuals.

“(Alex) Gilkerson had a pretty good game,” Iles said. “Senior Lucas Wolfe did an exceptional job in his role. But probably the biggest factor in the past few games has been junior Patrick Cornett. He ended up shooting 16 free throws. He really stepped it up.”

All three players ended the game in double figures, led by Gilkerson’s 13 points. Cornett added 12 points and Wolfe had 10.

New Richmond’s four-guard offense struggled in the first half knocking down open looks, but was able to get some to fall in the second half as the Lions mounted their comeback.

Austen Craig and Jake Gundler led the way for the Lions with 11 points apiece.

“We had open looks, but weren’t able to knock them down,” McMonigle said. “We started to hit some late in the game, but by then it was too little, too late.”

The Rockets were outscored 9-5 in the third quarter, but still held a six-point advantage going into the final quarter.

With the defensive game plan Clermont had employed, it was tough for New Richmond to really get back into the game and the Rockets’ advanced to the sectional finals.

New Richmond ended the season at .500, 11-11 (6-4 SBC).

“I thought it was a good year for us,” McMongile said. “We had double-digit wins for the first time in six years. It was the first time we had won a sectional game since 2004. There were a couple games that we could have won or played a little bit better, but overall it was a pretty good year.”

CNE moved on to play defending Division III state champions, Taft in the sectional final.