By Fred Kroner
Blake Wolters scored 33 points on Monday (Nov. 22) as the Mahomet-Seymour boys’ basketball team opened the season at home with a triple-overtime 86-79 victory over Centennial.
The game was part of the Lincoln Round Robin Tournament.
Wolters drained three three-point shots and also pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
Nolan Nierenhausen made 15 points and Quenton Rogers had nine points. Wyatt Bohm and Luke Koller each contributed eight points. Ben Wagner had six rebounds.
Bulldog coach Ryan Bosch said the atmosphere of a near-packed gym didn’t give the feel of an opening game.
“The student section from both schools was loud and made it feel like a regional environment,” Bosch said.
Less than 24 hours later, M-S was back on the court at Lincoln, taking on Belleville West.
The Bulldogs fell behind, 21-9, before taking a fourth-quarter lead with less than 6 minutes to play in a game they eventually lost 67-66.
There were 10 lead changes and four ties.
“We crawled our way back, had a lot of composure and when we were down, didn’t lose our composure,” Bosch said. “The grit of the team is what impresses me.
“We had a chance to pull the game out. I’d like a rematch with fresh legs and a few more practices.”
The Bulldogs will practice on Wednesday (Nov. 24) for the fifth time since football players joined the squad after their advancement to the state quarterfinals.
Wolter again led in scoring against Belleville, racking up 22 points. Dayten Eisenmann, who didn’t play in the opener, came off the bench to score 15 points.
Wolter and Eisenmann were each 3-for-5 from three-point range.
Bohm and Rogers each recorded eight points.
“I’m pleased with how much the kids are fighting,” Bosch said. “They all want to be good.”
The coach believes it’s a matter of time before the Bulldogs shine on defense.
“When we’re locked in on defense, we have the potential to be special,” Bosch said. “They can really be good.”
Bosch is looking forward to some practice time before M-S (1-1) returns to action at Lincoln on Friday (Nov. 26) against Sacred Heart-Griffin.
“We need to start working out some of the kinks,” Bosch said.
