UTICA — The host Utica Redskins got off to a 17-0 lead and simply dominated the visiting East Knox Bulldogs, 68-31, in Mid-Buckeye Conference action on Friday.
“I thought, early on, we did a good job of going inside-out and getting out in our transition,” said Utica coach Brian Radabaugh. “What that did for us, later on, was to open up the outside shots and we were able to capitalize on those.”
The Redskins grabbed 11 rebounds and hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter, giving the Bulldogs (who had a dozen first quarter turnovers) little chance at the basket. Joel Swick hit two of the Redskins’ four first-quarter 3s.
“I have to give it to Utica,” said East Knox coach Don McDaniel. “They just came out and pretty much dominated every aspect of the basketball game tonight. Our kids hustled, they played hard and they didn’t quit. We just have to get better with the basketball. We struggled with fundamentals and we struggled with basketball smarts.”
Broc Stradley, who had hit one of the Redskins’ first-quarter 3-pointers, landed two more 3s before the end of the first half. Stradley led all scorers with 14 points. Clay Rowley, who led the Redskins with 10 points in the first half, went on to total six field goals and had four rebounds, scoring 13 points for the game. Swick and Luke Holmes added 12 points apiece for Utica.
