Big Macs hang on to defeat Hillers in 1st game of season
Trinity’s Ben Phillis’ shot is blocked by Canon-McMillan’s Jordan Smith Friday during the first quarter.
Trinity’s Robert Nelson blocks the shot of Canon-McMillan’s Carson Miller during the first half Friday.
CANONSBURG – The student sections lined up in the stands with both coaches shouting instructions on opposite sides of the scorer’s table were obvious signs that the WPIAL basketball season is back.
Canon-McMillan and Trinity were active defensively, quickly suffocating the drive and contesting shots from the perimeter, but the most telling sign that it’s basketball season was seen on offense.
There wasn’t much of it.
The Hillers and Big Macs missed jump shots and layups, but an early third-quarter run and tough defense down the stretch were enough to give Canon-McMillan the season-opening win, defeating Trinity 50-39 Friday night.
The Hillers (0-1) will face Latrobe tonight at 6:30 p.m., while the Big Macs (1-0) finish the Brian Anselmino Memorial Tip-off Tournament against Washington at 8 p.m.
The Hillers struggled from the field throughout the night, forcing the ball inside and missing shots from the perimeter.
“We’re going to be a shooting team and if we can’t make shots we’re in trouble,” Trinity head coach Tim Tessmer said. “Our focus is get in the paint, read the help and make good decisions with the ball. We didn’t do a good job reading and we didn’t make our shots.”
After a slow start, Canon-McMillan found success, particularly in the third quarter. The Big Macs started the second half on a 7-1 run with junior point guard Britton Beachy, who finished with 16 points, doing much of the damage.
The Big Macs jumped into transition and instead of using high ball screens, they took their screens to the baseline, forcing the Hillers into errors and creating open shots around the perimeter. Junior RJ Bell, who also had 16 points and six rebounds, made four three-pointers.
Beachy had eight of Canon-McMillan’s 14 points in the third quarter to help the Big Macs jump out to a 36-31 lead.
“Those screens caused some problems for them defensively and created some shots for us,” Canon-McMillan head coach Rick Bell said. “Luckily we made some shots. Our strategy is to spread people out and use our skill, but they did a nice job against that early.”
The problems continued for Trinity in the fourth quarter. After a missed shot, it allowed a quick transition, where the Big Macs excelled, and after a nice offensive set, the Hillers made a lapse defensively.
Sophomore guard Joey Koroly and sophomore forward Ben Phillis each had a team-high 10 points, but Tessmer was not pleased with the Hillers’ effort when he wanted to start the season with a victory.
“That’s how we look in practice, honestly,” Tessmer said. “Our focus isn’t always there. We aren’t taking advantage of opportunities. We’ve dealt with injuries and our philosophy is next man up, but that doesn’t matter if the next man doesn’t make shots or isn’t focused.”
The Big Macs made 6 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The Hillers attempted to rely on driving to the basket and passing to the wing for uncontested three-point shots throughout the first half, but after an adjustment, the Big Macs’ defense stayed disciplined and the Hillers struggled to make shots.
Facing an opponent with more size and experience in the post, the Hillers struggled to create second chances as the Big Macs held the 29-22 advantage in rebounding, including 17-10 in the first half. After a first quarter where both teams showed polished play on offense, they could not capitalize in the second quarter, each scoring just five points during the eight-minute span to go into the half with C-M leading 22-21.
Trinity drove to the basket and made smart decisions early, finding an open player for four three-pointers in the first quarter, including three in just over four minutes of play, but they made just six shots from the field the rest of the way.
“This is a big game for Trinity and they did a nice job against us,” Rick Bell said. “We were really pleased to hold them to 39 points. We struggled at times on offense. We want to play with tempo, but there’s a difference between playing fast and shooting fast. It’s nice to start with a win though.
Before the start of the game, Canon-McMillan dedicated a chair to Anselmino, a Ringgold graduate and former C-M assistant. No one will sit in the chair and will serve as a memorial to Anselmino, who was killed in a car accident in 2014.