Boys B-Ball: Dictating the pace

Nick Varner 4 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists (photo by Jim Lindquist)

After several slow starts the Tigers found a way to get it going early in Tuesday night's 77-61 Missota Conference victory road over New Prague.

The win upped Farmington's season record to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in Missota Conference play.

"I thought this was a very good team effort and one that allowed some individuals to really have great games," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said. "Really, all of our starters played well and I thought we got very good minutes off the bench, especially from Jordan DeCroock and Tyler VanWinkle."

The visitors led 37-23 halftime, a cushion Wyandt attributed to two main factors: 1) an ability to get the ball out in transition and dictate the pace of the game and 2) defensive rebounding.

"We've challenged the guys to come out with more intensity on the glass and they certainly did that against a very big New Prague team," Wyandt said. "The rebounding intensity translated to the other end as well, and we were able to get some key second chance opportunities."

Zach Speikers, who finished with a game-high 28 points, led the first half surge with four three-pointers.

The second half was much more evenly played but New Prague (6-6) never seriously cut into their halftime deficit.

Jordan DeCroock 9 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals off the bench (photo by J. Lindquist)

Speikers, who has scored 61 points in the past two games, had plenty of offensive help with Eli Rockett and Mac Bassett both finishing in double figures with 17 and 10 points respectively. DeCroock added nine points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists off the bench.

Varner pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and matched point guard Johnny Dittman with five assists.

The Tigers resume their Missota Conference schedule Friday night when they travel to Richfield for a date with Holy Angels (5-7; 1-2). The Stars upset Red Wing 48-44 Tuesday night.

"We need to continue to get healthy and bring a similar effort to what we did at New Prague," Wyandt said.