Prep Boys Basketball Notes: Southeastern relying on defense

SOUTH CHARLESTON — Through two games, the Southeastern High School boys’ basketball team has allowed 74 points.

That’s 37.0 points per game. Northwestern scored 39 and Cedarville scored 35.

“I was real happy with the first two games and how we played defensively,” Southeastern head coach P.J. Bertemes said. “We’ve been really mediocre offensively. But even when we have long stretches of not scoring, which is going to happen with a young team, we’ve made up for it with defense.”

The Trojans (2-0) scored 59.2 points per game last season. The top four scorers from that team are not playing (due to graduations and one injury).

So the Trojans went away from the fast-paced offense to something more methodical. That’s helped the defense.

“It’s just a matter of taking the kids that you have, figuring out what they do best and go with it,” Bertemes said. “It wasn’t a huge switch. Small-school coaches have to be flexible and change from year to year.”

Not really free

Apparently, some area teams forgot to practice free throws during the offseason.

West Liberty-Salem is shooting 44.9 percent (22-of-49). The Tigers’ opponents are even worse, at 42.9 percent (15-of-35).

So far, Graham made 47.8 percent (11-for-23), Emmanuel Christian made 48.4 percent (30-for-62), Greeneview made 47.2 percent (17-for-36), and Catholic Central made 48.7 percent (19-for-39).

So close

Tecumseh is 0-3, but has played some close games. Over the weekend, the Arrows lost to Tippecanoe 56-54, then Butler 53-51.

The schedule doesn’t get much easier. They host Urbana (2-0) today.

The Arrows started 0-2 last season, but then went on to share the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division title.

Around the state

Need some offense: Brecksville-Broadview Heights beat Midpark 31-30; Oak Hill beat Minford 44-34; South Webster beat Portsmouth West 42-29.

Need some defense: Cleveland Hay beat Glenville 92-77; Lima Senior beat Fremont Ross 87-73; Mentor beat Euclid 104-81.

Need a better opponent: Canton McKinley beat Austintown-Fitch 72-28; Chesapeake beat Gallipolis Gallia 77-21; Van Wert beat Bluffton 77-25.

About the Author