Bulldogs get back on the court, split first two games
By FRED KRONER
Opening weekend was a win as far as Mahomet-Seymour boys’ basketball coach Ryan Bosch was concerned.
On the court, the Bulldogs split their two-game Apollo Conference road series, losing at Mattoon on Friday 69-58 before scoring fewer points on Saturday in a 57-41 triumph over Charleston.
What mattered most, however, was getting back on the court.
“I am obviously thrilled that we are getting the chance to play, and any part of the season in and of itself is a victory,” Bosch said.
Even for experienced coaches, this season has entered uncharted territory.
“It’s certainly unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of,” Bosch said. “All of the protocols and changes are adding a lot of extra layers to the logistics of the season as we go.
“Thankfully, we’ve got a great staff, administrators and families that are pulling in the same direction to pull this off. Mr. (Matt) Hensley (athletic director), in particular, has been a great resource and advocate for our student-athletes.”
For the weekend, four Bulldogs scored in double figures in at least one game, including senior Eli Warren, who was the top M-S scorer in each contest.
The 5-foot-10 Warren – who made all six of his free throw attempts in the first two games – put up 16 points against the Green Wave and a game-high 15 against Charleston.
Zach Carr scored 12 points against Mattoon. Other top scorers against Charleston were sophomore Blake Wolters with 12 points and Braden Finch with 10 points.
Wolters and Finch each nailed two three-pointers.
“We are a long way from a finished product,” Bosch said. “We’ve had a slow start to our season with quarantine, and we’ve been slow out of the gates as a result.
“I think we have kids who are willing to work to get where they need to be in order to have success this season.”
Warren led the team in rebounds (seven) and assists (five) against Charleston. Sharing the team-lead in rebounding were Warren, Wolters and Zach Severns, with four apiece.
Carr handed out a game-high five assists against the Trojans.
“Starting out 1-1 thus far feels a bit like a missed opportunity,” Bosch said. “Having played poorly at Mattoon, we still had ourselves in a position to steal that game, and we couldn’t make plays on the defensive side of the ball.
“We didn’t have it that night. Luckily, we shook off the rust and were able to make some gains for the victory at Charleston.”
Carr pulled down six rebounds and Luke Koller dealt out four assists against Mattoon.
The Bulldogs had obstacles to overcome in their first game.
“We were limited as Braden Finch and Zach Carr both were really battling foul trouble the entire game at Mattoon and never got into any sort of rhythm,” Bosch said.
“We’ve also had Luke Koller, who will ultimately be a focal point of our team, saddled with injury against Mattoon. Quinton McCullough, who I think has high expectations, is also battling injuries.”
With their playing time limited, Bosch offered praise to a sophomore.
“Blake Wolters has stepped up to help us in their absence,” he said. “He was really great (against Charleston).”
Wolters made 5 of 5 shots against the Trojans. Two of his attempts were three-pointers.
In both of its first two games, M-S held the halftime lead. The Bulldogs led Mattoon, 28-26, and Charleston, 28-21.
“We lost the (Mattoon) game in the second half as we struggled to slow their guards,” Bosch said. “Our kids competed hard, but we did not show our best and we struggled with foul trouble from the start of the game on.”
M-S (1-1) bounced back strong a night later and had assists on 22 of its 24 field goals against Charleston.
“We would like to make a stronger stand on the defensive side of the ball first,” Bosch said, “but we also need to do a better job with our shot selection and working the ball around.
“Our 22 assists were a good sign that we’re starting to get closer to that. It was a good step in the right direction to get us going and we hope to keep it up as we head into next week with three more conference games.”
Koller also had four assists against the Trojans as did Warren and Zach Travis.
M-S returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 9) at Mount Zion.
