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Linsly Is Too Much for John Marshall

Cadets hold Monarchs to 33 percent shooting in 61-36 rout

Linsly’s Dorde Donovic goes up for a shot as John Marshall’s Zach Bishop (30) defends Tuesday night in Wheeling. Photo by Josh Strope

WHEELING — Linsly was at its defensive best Tuesday night, stymying visiting John Marshall by a 61-36 count at Stifel Fieldhouse.

The Cadets of first-year coach Dave Wojcik limited the Monarchs to 33 percent shooting (15 of 45) while also controlling the boards in a wire-to-wire victory.

Linsly improved to 8-4 and has a quick turnaround as it welcomes Oak Glen tonight. Coach Chad Clutter’s Monarchs fell to 4-7.

The Cadets jumped out to a 22-8 advantage after the opening eight minutes and maintained control the balance of the contest.

“We didn’t give them any confidence from the start. That was the biggest thing with my guys,” Wojcik said. “I told them don’t give them confidence. We wanted to jump on them and stay on them. We did a good job of that.

“My guys are very attentive. They are going to make mistakes but they are going to be aggressive mistakes. I am proud of our guys. We created some offense with our defense. But I told them this is what is expected of us. We should win this game and now we must get ready for another one (tonight.)”

Senior guard Trevin Tush fueled the Cadets’ quick start with seven points in the first quarter while senior standout Marshall Taylor contributed five tallies.

Taylor heated up even warmer in the second quarter, delivering eight points in the period, enabling the hosts to take a 33-21 lead into intermission. Senior ace Justin Frohnapfel netted five for the Monarchs.

Clutter’s crew didn’t quit. Rather, the Monarchs showed renewed life midway through the third, cutting the deficit to 35-27 with 4:11 showing on a bucket by Peyton Berner.

Sweet-shooting sophomore Caleb Murray helped stopped the Cadets’ bleeding, burying a 3 to make it a double-digit deficit again. The hosts finished the period in fine fashion, taking a 46-29 upperhand into the fourth quarter.

The Monarchs never mounted a serious run over the final eight minutes.

Linsly showed nice offensive balance with three players in double figures while eight players dented the scoring column. Taylor led the way with 18 points. Murray added 12 points while Tush chipped in with 10.

Frohnapfel and Izac Babiczuk each scored 12 for the Monarchs.

“They are a good ball club. That is why they were only down eight to Morgantown at halftime. They make you work, and if you don’t want to work this is how things turn out,” Clutter said. “One positive was 11 turnovers. That is the least amount we have had all year. I thought we took care of the ball.

“It turned into a rebounding match at times and they hurt us. We made a nice run in the third quarter and cut it to eight. Then I think we got a little tired. Sometimes we don’t have enough depth to keep it going.”

Linsly committed 12 turnovers. The Cadets meshed 21 of 47 floor shots for 45 percent. Hard-working junior Hunter Kelley grabbed eight boards for the hosts while Taylor snared seven rebounds.

“After the Central game Saturday, our kids came in ready to work and they were very attentive I am really happy with where we are at this point, being my first year and being 8-4 with only three home games,” Wojcik said. “They haven’t had a winning season in a few years. I tell our guys that today is over, tomorrow is a new day, and we got to get ready for Oak Glen and then move onto the next one.”

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