Bulldogs run past Aces

CANNELTON - Cannelton used fast breaks and offensive rebounding to rout Cloverport 79-48 in boys basketball Friday.

The Bulldogs used their full-court pressure to make 16 steals, many of which they turned into transition layups.

They also got some fast breaks off defensive rebounds and quick outlet passes.

Though Cloverport, with 6-foot-6 center Logan Melton, had the edge in overall size, Cannelton dominated the boards.

The Bulldogs grabbed 45 rebounds, including 21 at their offensive end. They scored eight rebound baskets.

Chase Gerber led the Bulldogs in rebounds with 14 and Tyler Aud added six.

Gerber also had 22 points, four steals and four assists. Aud added 18 points, four steals and four assists and Ethan DuPont scored 11 points.

Cannelton hit 33 of 80 shots from the field for 41.2 percent.

"With this offense our goal is to get at least 70 shots a game," said Cannelton Coach Brian Garrett. "Once we secure the rebound, we want to get it down the floor - we don't want to give the defense a chance to get set.

"We want every shot we take to be in the paint (the free-throw lane) or beyond the (three-point) arc. We've been tinkering with this offense since the Portland Christian game (Jan. 19).

"We've got to finish, though. Sometimes we get in too big a hurry (on transition shots)."

They did that a few times in the first quarter Friday and led only 23-19 after the first quarter.

But they outscored the Aces 40-10 the next two quarters to turn the game into a rout.

Gerber scored 11 points in the second quarter on two field goals off turnovers, two rebound baskets, a layup after he grabbed a defensive rebound and took the ball all the way to the other end himself, and one free throw.

"I was pleased that our kids came out focused tonight," said Garrett.

Stephen Poole scored 23 points to lead Cloverport, 0-22. He scored 16 in the last nine minutes after Cannelton had built a 60-28 lead.

Cannelton, 9-11, will play Tecumseh or Wood Memorial in the semifinals of the Wood Memorial sectional Friday at 7:40 p.m.

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Cannelton won the junior varsity game 45-21 as T.J. James scored 13 points.

With Cody Lawalin sidelined with mononucleosis and pneumonia, Cannelton had to use a couple of varsity juniors one quarter apiece in the JV game. Justin Dooley scored 10 points in his quarter and Aud added eight in his.

The JV Bulldogs finished the season 7-9.