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New talent lets Rams extend winning ways

Kyle Combs, from Xenia, and Tyler Bruntz, from Yellow Springs, fill gaps.

Barbara Perenic Greeneview's Kyle Combs is guarded by West Liberty-Salem's Landon Hormann.

Greeneview's Tyler Bruntz is guarded by West Liberty-Salem's Michael Mack (left) and Riley Sims on Dec. 23. Staff photos by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Greeneview's Tyler Bruntz is guarded by West Liberty-Salem's Michael Mack (left) and Riley Sims on Dec. 23. Staff photos by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:52 PM Thursday, January 12, 2012

JAMESTOWN — For the third straight season, the Greeneview High School boys basketball team is off to a strong start.

The Rams, who have advanced to the Division III districts the last two seasons, are 8-2 and atop the Ohio Heritage Conference at 6-1. They’re currently ranked 13th in D-III.

This season, though, they’re doing it with two new faces.

The Rams returned three starters, including District 9 Player of the Year junior Evan Bradds and senior guards Eric Green and Garrett Hudson, but lost senior post player Ronnie Drinnon to suspension.

However, senior guard Kyle Combs, a move-in from Xenia, and junior forward Tyler Bruntz, who transferred back to Greeneview from Yellow Springs, have helped the Rams remain one of the top teams in D-III.

Combs is averaging 3.3 assists per game, while Bruntz is averaging 11.5 points per game. Both are shooting over 30 percent from behind the 3-point line.

The loss of Drinnon has transformed the Rams from an inside, half-court team to an up-tempo perimeter-style squad.

“We’re not as big inside as we were before,” said Rams coach Bill Green said. “We’re getting out and getting after people, really. That’s what we’re trying to do because we’ve got kids who can do it.”

They’ve had success midway through the season, but Green said the Rams are still adjusting to a new style of play.

“We have our ups-and-downs,” Green said. “It’s still a learning process for us.”

Combs moved to the area from Barberville, Ky., last year when his parents both began working at the Athletes in Action facility in Xenia. He was a starter at Xenia last season, but his family moved to Jamestown last summer.

“We got a house right across from the school,” Combs said.

He’s served as the Rams’ main ball-handler this season, helping his teammates find open shots.

“That’s my main goal, to get as many assists as possible and run the game, set the tone for the offense,” Combs said.

Bruntz played middle-school basketball at Greeneview before transferring to Yellow Springs two years ago. He led the Bulldogs with 15.3 points per game last season.

“I kind of missed all my friends at Greeneview and decided to come back so I could graduate here,” Bruntz said. The transition, he said, was an easy one.

“I was accepted pretty well,” Bruntz said. “I knew everybody on the team and coach.”

Green said the most important part of the team has been chemistry, which was enhanced by the arrival of Combs and Bruntz.

“They’re good kids,” Green said. “They fit in and have a good time and they all hang out together. It’s been a very positive experience for them and for our kids.”

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