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Big Red topples Monarchs

MOUNDSVILLE — There is no secret when it comes to Steubenville Big Red basketball.

Coach Mike Haney’s charges will bring relentless defensive pressure and loads of athleticism. It is a formula that has proven quite successful during Haney’s 10 years at the Steubenville helm. A solid John Marshall quint was the latest victim, dropping a 68-49 decision at the Moundsville fieldhouse Tuesday night.

The relentless Big Red improved to 2-1, the lone blemish coming at the hands of Boardman. Haney’s squad will host Wheeling Park Friday at the Crimson Center.

The Monarchs, meanwhile, evened at 2-2 with the other setback being inflicted by powerful University. Coach Chad Clutter’s squad will welcome Brooke Friday.

“Our bread and butter is our full court pressure. We can use a lot of players,” Haney said. We are still getting our legs as we still have some football in us. In another two weeks we should be where we want to be.

“Our game plan was to faceguard Gunner (Thompson), and he still had 19 points. He is a quality player,” Haney said. “We had a 15-point lead at halftime and we stressed to our kids that we needed to start the third quarter strong. And we did just that, scoring eight straight points to help break things open.”

Big Red led from start to finish. They were on top 16-10 after the first quarter before using a strong 17-8 second quarter surge en route to their 33-18 halftime advantage. Steubenville continued to methodically pull away, building a 54-28 upper hand heading into the final quarter.

“I was happy with our defensive effort tonight,” Haney said. “Offensively, we had nice balance and got production from a lot of players. It is a nice win.”

Junior Josh Zimmerman led a trio of Big Red double-digit scorers with 17 points. Senior swingman Da’von Smith was next with 15 counters, including four treys, while junior James Roundtree made his presence felt in the paint with 10 tallies. All told, Steubenville had nine players reach the scoring column.

The talented Thompson’s 19 points were supported by hard-playing Justin Frohnapfel’s 12 counters. Athletic post Bryce Yoho netted nine lightings.

“Steubenville’s pressure can wear on you. We just need to start doing the little things right,” Clutter said. “We must become more fluid on the offensive end and take care of the ball better.

“We are not shooting the ball very well right now. That needs to change for us to be successful,” he added. “We have some nice parts. Hopefully, we start meshing on the offensive end.”

The Monarchs committed 16 turnovers. Steubenville was guilty of 10 miscues.

Steubenville 68, John Marshall 49

Steubenville 16-17-19-16 — 68

J. Marshall 10-8-10-21 — 49

STEUBENVILLE (68): D. Jones 1, 0-2 2; Davis 2, 0-0 4; J. Jones 3, 1-2 8; Zimmerman 7, 3-5 17; Bishop 3, 2-4 8; Roundtree 5, 0-2 10; Smith 5, 1-2 15; Bracone 0, 0-0 0; Bickerstaff 1, 0-0 2; Rauch 0, 0-0 0; Zane 1, 0-1 2; Clevenger 0, 0-0 0. TOTALS: 28, 7-18.

JOHN MARSHALL (49): Reid 2, 0-0 6; Yoho 4, 1-2 9; Campbell 0, 0-0 0; Norris 0, 0-0 0; Hall 0, 0-0 0; Thompson 7, 4-5 19; Mclaughlin 1, 0-0 2; Frohnapfel 5, 2-2 12; Whitlatch 1, 0-2 2. Totals 21, 7-11.

3-POINT GOALS: Steubenville 5 (Smith 4, J. Jones 1); John Marshall 1 (Thompson).

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