Photo:
Doug Larson
Plano's Matt Priesman draws a foul from Newark's
Mitch Dunlap. Priesman, a senior, lead the Reapers
with 17 points, but the Norsemen defense was
too much. Newark won, 80-62.
NEWARK -- In the first half, the Plano Reapers were able to hold their own against the homestanding Newark Norsemen. Then Newark's boys turned up the defense. The Norsemen tallied 16 steals and forced 24 Plano turnovers en route to an 80-62 nonconference win at home Tuesday evening. It had been a four-point game -- 40-36 Newark -- at the half. "I was pleased with our overall defensive effort," said Newark coach Dale Skelton, whose Norsemen forced the two dozen turnovers and held sharpshooting Plano to 40.7-percent shooting from the field. "We had 16 steals and converted them into points."
The third quarter was when the Norsemen (3-1) truly broke away, outscoring Plano by a 22-14 margin to turn a 40-36 score into a 62-50 runaway. Newark then made 8-of-10 fourth-quarter free throws to put away the Reapers (2-4) for good. No. 33 Ron Poplawski spearheaded the Norsemen attack on both ends of the floor, finishing the night with game-highs of 26 points and 9 steals. Kyle Janssen added 22 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals from the other guard spot, while forwards Mitch Dunlap (7 points, 3 steals) and Ivo Gentchev (10 points, 7 rebounds) also had nice outings for Newark. Plano was led by guard Matt Priesman and forward Jake Wilson, with Priesman scoring 17 points and handing out 4 assists while Wilson tallied 12 points and 7 boards. Obina Ogomo came off the bench to add 9 points -- 7 of them in the second-half comeback effort. Plano is scheduled to return to action this Friday night when the Reapers hit the road again to face Reed-Custer, who finished fourth in the season-opening Seneca Turkey Tournament. Newark's boys will play their first true road game of the season Friday, visiting Indian Creek High School.
Hinckley-Big Rock 73, Ashton-Franklin Center 59 — Matt Koehling scored 20 points to lead all scorers for the Royals, while Joe Jenness added 15, and Jake Austin 11.
Sandwich 61, Woodland 48 — Sandwich outscored Woodland 19-6 in the final quarter to win its second straight game. Travis Van Pelt scored 19 points to lead Sandwich, while Mike Meyer scored 13, and Nate Roach tossed in 10.
Newark 80, Plano 62 — Ron Paplowski had 26 points and nine steals to lead Newark (3-1). Kyle Janssen added 22 points, while Ivo Gentchev notched 10 points. Matt Priesman had 17 for Plano, and Jake Wilson 10.