Temple Christian holds off Continental

LIMA – With it being the first weekend of the boys basketball season, longtime Temple Christian basketball coach Bruce Bowman isn’t too concerned with his team’s offensive output.

In Friday’s season opener, Temple Christian soundly defeated Bowling Green Christian, 56-14.

In Saturday’s nonconference matchup against visiting Continental, Temple Christian’s smothering defensive pressure kept Continental’s shooters in check en route to a 39-27 win over the Pirates.

With the victory, Temple Christian improves to 2-0. Continental falls to 0-2.

Continental did not register its first points on the night until the 6:40 mark of the second quarter. Temple Christian led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter and 18-10 at the halftime break. The Pioneers led 27-19 after three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter, Continental cut the deficit to one point, 27-26. However, the Pioneers closed the game out on a 12-1 run.

“It’s really about our guys buying into what we are trying to do at the defensive end,” Bowman said. “It was a good effort tonight. We struggled at the offensive end, but we finally figured it out. We got some things to work for us.

“It was just a defensive effort tonight. We held them to zero (points) in the first quarter. I think they had 10 at the half. We aren’t going to win many games scoring 39 and winning by 12. But when you hold your opponent to 27, you’re going to get some wins. So, it’s really about this group of guys buying into that. They’re playing with a lot of enthusiasm and emotion. They really want it at the defensive end. That’s been the difference, so far this year.”

Derek Shultz led Temple Christian Saturday with 12 points, including two 3-pointers. Shultz also pulled down four rebounds and dished out three assists. Isaiah Kiser had 10 points and seven rebounds. Dawson Clay scored seven points, pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and made three steals at the defensive end.

“Kiser got to the rim a few times in the second half; and we needed someone to get to the rim for us,” Bowman said. “Derek Shultz hit a couple big shots for us (second quarter). Those two guys made some big plays.

“But the difference was, instead of just relying on the three, we attacked the rim and got some offensive rebounds and putbacks.”

Monty Rayle led Continental with nine points, on three 3-pointers. Carson Etter and Mason Rayle each added seven points for the Pirates. Etter pulled down nine rebounds and had three steals.

For the game, Temple Christian shot 33 percent from the field. Continental connected on just 20 percent of its field goal attempts.

Temple Christian won the battle on the boards, 37-30.

Continental committed 13 turnovers, while Temple Christian turned it over 11 times.

“I thought our press changed the game,” Bowman said. “When we went to it originally, we went on a little bit of a run there and it gave us a little bit of distance that we really needed. I thought it (the press) kind of turned the momentum for us.”

Bowman said he is confident that his team’s offensive production will improve as the season progresses.

“This will be a balanced team. We could have five or six different guys lead us on any given night. So, that is going to be nice. We don’t have a guy who is going to go out and give us 25, 30 points. We have a group of guys who will be able to contribute at the offensive end. Like everyone else, we’re going to get better, offensively. … It’s early in the season,” Bowman said.

Temple Christian 39, Continental 27

Continental 0 10 9 8 – 27

Temple Christian 6 12 9 12 – 39

Continental

Monty Rayle 9, Carson Etter 7, Mason Rayle 7, Jonathan Etter 4. Totals: 9-4-27.

Temple Christian

Jabaz Dupree 5, Malachi Menke 2, Alex Patrick 3, Derek Schultz 12, Dawson Clay 7, Isaiah Kiser 10. Totals: 14-7-39.

3-pointers made: Continental – Monty Rayle 3, Mason Rayle 2; Temple – Alex Patrick 1, Derek Shultz 2, Isaiah Kiser 1

Records: Temple Christian 2-0; Continental 0-2