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Coldwater's Landon Knapke (3) drives between St. Marys' Alex Hoenie (13) and Ryan Monfort (11) during Saturday's game at the Palace.
COLDWATER - Missing its leading scorer and another starter to injury and illness, Coldwater used its defense to help kick start the offense.
The Cavaliers put three players in double figures and the defense shut down St. Marys for most of the first half en route to a 53-38 victory in non-conference boys basketball action Saturday night at the Palace, a bounce-back win after Friday's loss at Versailles.
The Cavaliers were without leading scorer Baylen Blockberger, who was injured in Friday's game, and Mason Welsch, who is batting illness. Coldwater responded by shooting 46.5% from the floor in the contest as seven players scored points.
"There were times we looked out of sorts offensively," said Coldwater coach Nick Fisher. "We had different people in different spots. I'm proud how we defended, especially in the first half."
St. Marys' Brennan Steger (23) goes up for a shot against Coldwater.
St. Marys' Kasey Gross scored the opening points 42 seconds into the first quarter, but the Roughriders suffered a nearly 4 1/2 minute cold spell. Miles Pottkotter tied the game with 5:45 to play, then Owen Kunk scored with four minutes to go to put the Cavaliers into the lead for good. Cody Depweg and Caleb Schroer each added free throws to push the lead to 8-2 before Ryan Monfort broke the Rider cold streak with 1:53 to play in the quarter with a 3-pointer. The bucket was the last for the rest of the first quarter and over half of the second quarter as Coldwater went on a 14-0 run to make it 22-5 before Alex Hoenie scored a basket with 3:29 to play in the first half to end a 6 1/2 minute scoreless run for the Roughriders. Coldwater led 26-12 at halftime.
"That was key for us opening up the margin," said Fisher of St. Marys' cold spells. "These guys are good enough athletically to go out and defend
Coldwater continued its hot shooting as Landon Knapke, who replaced Blockberger in the starting five, personally outscored St. Marys in the quarter 10-9 as the Cavaliers extended their lead to 44-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
"Landon's very capable," said Fisher. "He's a shooter. The guys know it. We know it. It was good to see him get in there and knock some shots down, especially with missing Mase and May"
Kunk and Knapke each scored 14 points to lead the Cavaliers. Caleb Schroer came off the bench to score 10 points.
Hoenie led St. Marys with 11 points. Brennan Steger added nine points.
Both teams are off until Friday. Coldwater hosts Fort Recovery in Midwest Athletic Conference play while St. Marys is back home at Grand Lake Health System Court to face Van Wert in Western Buckeye League play.
