For The Daily Reporter
INDIANAPOLIS — Two main criteria make up the Greenfield Central Cougars’ keys to winning: Playing with a sense of urgency and unselfish basketball.
Both items were on display Friday night as the Cougars (2-0) dismantled the Indianapolis Marshall Patriots 67-32.
The Cougars were relentless on both sides of the ball and dared the Patriots to keep up or be left in the dust. Constant motion defined their play, and if anyone stayed stagnant too long, coach Michael Lewis made sure they knew about it.
“I think it’s important, that to be successful, you have to remain in a sense of urgency both offensively and defensively,” Lewis stated. “Be urgent to make a play for a teammate, be urgent to close out, be urgent to block out and when you play with that sense of commitment, you’re going to have nights like tonight.”
Their defensive intensity wreaked havoc on the Patriots, causing them to cough up the ball 19 times. Anchoring the defense was senior Kirill Schoellman, who actively barked out orders to his teammates.
“It shows his maturation from where he was last year to where he is this year as a leader,” Lewis said. “The defensive side of the ball is an area where wanted him to improve and in the leadership category. He’s approached both of those things head on and it know doubt makes us a better team.”
Schoellman finished his night with 10 points, four boards and two assists to add to his defensive performance.
Other double-digit scorers for the Cougars were Will O’Conner, who was lights out from behind the arc for 11 points. Blake Robertson and Tate Hall each added 14 and 12 points, respectively, with Hall also pulling down seven rebounds.
However, the one player that truly emulated Lewis’ second key to success was Chandler Bean, who scored six points and tallied four assists. Coach Lewis likes the pass first mentality he gets from his point guard and hopes he keeps it up.
“When your point guard is a willing passer and understands that he can facilitate the offense by sharing the basketball and being a very tough defender and a vocal leader, that’s when you have a chance to have a special team,” Lewis explained.
