Cougars win fifth straight over Indians
Ron Hartlaub, Staunton News Leader
STUARTS DRAFT — It has not taken very long for a young Stuarts Draft boys basketball team to grow up.
After a season-opening loss, the Cougars have now made it five-straight wins following Wednesday night's convincing 71-44 victory over visiting Fort Defiance.
With a roster that features 11 underclassmen, Draft is quickly building momentum heading into the teeth of its Shenandoah District schedule.
"They're picking up pretty quick," said Jared Rosen, one of just three seniors on the team. "Usually when we have some new guys like that, it's really hard with the system. They're learning fast and I think we're in pretty good shape right now."
One week after putting up 104 points offensively in a win over Waynesboro, it was the Cougar defense that stole the show. Stuarts Draft forced 27 turnovers while holding the Indians to 44 points.
"They do a really good job of being really patient," said Stuarts Draft head coach Mike Gale of his opponent. "Sometimes it's frustrating for us to want to get up and go. We got a lot of hands on balls and deflections, so I'm pleased with that."
Stuarts Draft's Jo'-el Howard brings the ball up the court for the Cougars. (Photo: Ron Hartlaub/The News Leader)
The opening few minutes were dominated by the Indians. Two layups by Devon Simonetti and one from Ryan Cook gave Fort an early 6-1 cushion.
That deficit quickly disappeared, as Rosen nailed a trio of 3-pointers as part of an 18-5 run, making it 19-11 after the first.
Fort Defiance would get back to within four in the second before Stuarts Draft pulled away. Rosen, Kevin Ooten and Kasey Branch combined for five 3's, while Freddie Watkins added three buckets in the paint to stretch the margin to 45-27 at the break. There were eight Indian turnovers during that 24-10 run.
Ten more turnovers in the third quarter ended any chance of a Fort comeback. Nine different Draft players scored in the period as the lead grew to 69-37.
With a running clock in the fourth, the Cougars managed just two points while easily holding on to complete a season sweep over the Indians.
"We've got some improvement and the best thing about it is we still have got a whole lot more improvement to come," said Gale. "I can see it each day. We're taking it week by week."
Aside from having nine fewer turnovers, Stuarts Draft also dominated the boards (44-31). The Cougars converted 11 three-point shots before the Indians finally knocked down a pair in the final stanza.
Rosen led the way with 17 points, including 15 from behind the arc. Watkins was the only other player in double-figures for Draft, finishing with 11.
"Coach Gale always says don't believe the hype, just focus on the next game," said Rosen, whose team now faces a tough East Rockingham squad on Friday night. "That's all you really have to do."
Cook led winless Fort Defiance with 14 points, followed by Simonetti with 10.
Ron Hartlaub, Staunton News Leader
STUARTS DRAFT — It has not taken very long for a young Stuarts Draft boys basketball team to grow up.
After a season-opening loss, the Cougars have now made it five-straight wins following Wednesday night's convincing 71-44 victory over visiting Fort Defiance.
With a roster that features 11 underclassmen, Draft is quickly building momentum heading into the teeth of its Shenandoah District schedule.
"They're picking up pretty quick," said Jared Rosen, one of just three seniors on the team. "Usually when we have some new guys like that, it's really hard with the system. They're learning fast and I think we're in pretty good shape right now."
One week after putting up 104 points offensively in a win over Waynesboro, it was the Cougar defense that stole the show. Stuarts Draft forced 27 turnovers while holding the Indians to 44 points.
"They do a really good job of being really patient," said Stuarts Draft head coach Mike Gale of his opponent. "Sometimes it's frustrating for us to want to get up and go. We got a lot of hands on balls and deflections, so I'm pleased with that."
Stuarts Draft's Jo'-el Howard brings the ball up the court for the Cougars. (Photo: Ron Hartlaub/The News Leader)
The opening few minutes were dominated by the Indians. Two layups by Devon Simonetti and one from Ryan Cook gave Fort an early 6-1 cushion.
That deficit quickly disappeared, as Rosen nailed a trio of 3-pointers as part of an 18-5 run, making it 19-11 after the first.
Fort Defiance would get back to within four in the second before Stuarts Draft pulled away. Rosen, Kevin Ooten and Kasey Branch combined for five 3's, while Freddie Watkins added three buckets in the paint to stretch the margin to 45-27 at the break. There were eight Indian turnovers during that 24-10 run.
Ten more turnovers in the third quarter ended any chance of a Fort comeback. Nine different Draft players scored in the period as the lead grew to 69-37.
With a running clock in the fourth, the Cougars managed just two points while easily holding on to complete a season sweep over the Indians.
"We've got some improvement and the best thing about it is we still have got a whole lot more improvement to come," said Gale. "I can see it each day. We're taking it week by week."
Aside from having nine fewer turnovers, Stuarts Draft also dominated the boards (44-31). The Cougars converted 11 three-point shots before the Indians finally knocked down a pair in the final stanza.
Rosen led the way with 17 points, including 15 from behind the arc. Watkins was the only other player in double-figures for Draft, finishing with 11.
"Coach Gale always says don't believe the hype, just focus on the next game," said Rosen, whose team now faces a tough East Rockingham squad on Friday night. "That's all you really have to do."
Cook led winless Fort Defiance with 14 points, followed by Simonetti with 10.
