FRANKFORT — North Montgomery entered their first sectional game Wednesday with hopes of finding some offense. The Chargers shot well in the game, but Rensselaer shot better and defeated North Montgomery 70-48.
The Bombers and Chargers both got off to a slow start in the opening period. The first basket by either team did not come until 4:23 when Bomber Graham Drone connected on a trey. The period ended with the Chargers down 13-7.
North started the second quarter well and trimmed a Rensselaer to five points on three occasions by three turnovers toward the end of the quarter helped the Bombers take a 35-24 lead at halftime.
The third quarter had plenty of fireworks. North’s Jarrod Kirsch hit three consecutive 3-point baskets and the Chargers cut the lead to 44-39 with 3:44 remaining in the quarter forcing Rensselaer to call a timeout.
The break worked as the Bombers finished the quarter with a 51-29 lead including a 7-0 run..
The run continued in the final quarter as the Bombers went on 31-9 run in a stretch toward the end of the third period and into the fourth quarter. The Chargers 12 turnovers contributed to the run.
Kelby Harwood scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds. Kirsch finished with 18 points after hitting six consecutive threes in the second and third quarters.
North Montgomery (5-19) had one of their better shooting performances of the season. The Chargers connected on 48% of their two-point field goals and 6-of-10 three point attempts.
Rensselaer shot even better. They connected on 26-of-50 shots for 52%. The Bombers outscored the Chargers 17 to 6 from the free throw line.
North Montgomery coach Chad Arnold said he was pleased with his team’s effort, but his team could not slow down the Bombers.
“I thought we played hard and I am proud of our effort” Arnold said. “We lost their shooters a few times and we turned the ball over too many times.”
“Rensselaer is a good team and we could not afford to turn the ball over as much as we did,” Arnold added.
The end of the season sees the careers of Drew Norman, Colton Zachary and Marc Infantes-Macebo. Arnold complimented his three seniors.
“Our seniors were good leaders and I am proud of them,” Arnold said. “They will be missed. Drew battled and Colton was important to this team. And, Marc was fun to have on the team and our guys learned a lot from him.”
RENSSELAER CENTRAL 70, NORTH MONTGOMERY 48
Rensselaer Central 70, North Montgomery 48
Score By Quarter
RC 11 24 16 19 — 70
NM 7 17 15 9 — 48
Rensselaer Centra (19-5)
FG FTA-FTM PTS: Tristian Wuethrich 6 0-0 18, Corbin Matthew 4 0-0 11, Tommy Boyles 2 5-5 10, Colby Chapman 6 4-4 18, Nole Marchand 2 4-4 8, Graham Drone 1 0-0 3; Totals 22 17-21 70
North Montgomery (5-19)
Jarrod Kirsch 6 0-0 18, Kelby Harwodd 8 4-6 20, Nate McCoy 1 1-2 3, Ross Dyson 1 1-2 3, Drew Norman 1 0-0 2, Noah Hopkins 1 0-1 2, Gabe Shirar 0 0-0 0, Cameron Enlow 0 0-0 0, Marc Infantes-Macebo 0 0-0 0; Totals 18 6-11 48
3 pt shooting: RC 8 (Matthew 3, Chapman 2, Wuethrich 2, Drone), NM 6 (Kirsch 6)
Rebounding: RC 23 (Merchand 10, Boyles 5), NM 21 (Norman 6, Harwood 5)
Turnovers: RC 9, NM 15