Veteran Redbirds too much for Dodgers

Will Murray and company showed they have the ability to score in many ways as Darlington tripped up Dodgeville 75-36 in a non-conference boys game Tuesday.

Murray was a force to be reckoned with for the Redbirds as he poured in 26 points, scoring from all over the floor.  Murray had plenty of help as seven  players got into the scoring column for Darlington.  Also hitting double figures for the Redbirds were  Reagan Jackson with 11 along with 10  from Broker Buscher.  

Dodgeville’s attack was stalled by some untimely turnovers  caused by Darlington’s pressure defense and a cold night shooting.  The Birds raced to a 20-4 lead seven and a half minutes into the game and never looked back.  Murray had eight points in the run and finished the first half with  12 points. Jackson added nine as the Redbirds climbed to a 37-13 lead.

The second half continued to be all Darlington as the Redbirds outdistanced the Dodgers 38-23.

John McGraw and Bryce Crubaugh-Lockard both had 11 to lead Dodgeville. Crubaugh-Lockard’s total came off the bench.

Dodgeville coach Matt McGraw felt the Redbirds who return most of their line-up from last year, played like a seasoned team.

“Darlington is good, real good.,” McGraw said.  “They played like a veteran team that returned a majority of their minutes and we played like a team that is replacing about 85% of our points.”  

McGraw sees a good future for the Dodgers when they get their assignments and roles figured out.

“I believe we will keep making strides and see success,” McGraw said.  “We are implementing a new style of play along with learning new roles so it will take some time.  The guys are working hard.  There are a lot of bright spots, we just need to piece it together and find our niche.”  

A factor in the game was Darlington’s pressure defense that extended into the full court.

“Darlington’s pressure was hard on us as the score shows,” added McGraw.  “We had very few possessions that we felt comfortable.    Handling pressure will be a point of emphasis over the next few practices and we will get ready to lace them up again Thursday night.”

The Dodgers take on Capitol Conference entrant Wisconsin Heights in an away game Thursday.

SCORE MY HALVES

Darlington    37    38   75

Dodgeville   13    23    36

BOX SCORE

DARLINGTON 75: (fg-ft-tp)

Carpenter 0-0-0, W. Murray 13-0-26, Gille 1-0-2, C. Paisley 0-0-0, Jackson 4-2-11, Zuberbuhler 3-0-8, Long 2-4-9, C. Murray 4-1-9, Buschor 4-0-10, Glendenning 0-0-0, P. Paisley 0-0-0, Ihler 0-0-0, White 0-0-0, McQuaid 0-0-0. Totals 31-7/10-75. Fouls-19

DODGEVILLE 36: McGraw 5-1-11, Crubaugh-Lockard 5-1-11, Berg 1-3-5, Haakenson 1-3-5, Honerbaum 0-0-0, LaMere 1-0-2, Pittz 1-1-3, Kitelinger 0-0-0, Watt 0-0-0, Christianson 0-0-0, Scheckel 0-0-0 Totals 14-4/8-36  13

3 point goals:

Dar-Zuberbuhler 2, Buschor 2, Jackson 1, Long 1

Dod-0