01/03/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
RED BUD - There is such a thing in high school basketball as the “Holiday Tournament Hangover.”

After playing a pretty grueling early season schedule, then four tough games at the Duster Thomas Classic at Pinckneyville, the Carlyle Indians early minutes at Red Bud on Friday night were sluggish to say the least.

About midway through the second quarter, however, Coach Maverick Taylor saw his team get back into a groove.

Carlyle finished the second quarter strong and used a 14-2 third quarter beginning to separate themselves from the host Musketeers as they coasted home to a 55-34 road Cahokia Conference Illinois Division victory.

The Tribe improved the league mark to 2-1 and the overall record to 12-2 as they look to keep pace with Wesclin in the league standings.

“They (Red Bud) came out in a triangle-and-two on us and our guys were just standing and not really attacking the gaps and trying to get into the seams (of the defense) but we came out and executed well to start the third quarter,” said Coach Taylor. “The guys (Steinkamp, Guthrie, Taylor) got to the rim and that kind of opened things up.”

Red Bud and head coach Dane Walter saw the record dip to 5-9 overall and 0-3 in the Illinois.

Six-eight senior forward Matthew Guthrie led a balanced offensive attack with 14-points and eight-rebounds for Carlyle.

Senior Rhettick Steinkamp added 13-points and classmate Hayden Huels finished with 11.

Senior Hunter Taylor, a 6-6 forward, scored 12-points in the victory, proving that the Indians have multiple weapons to score.

While statistically the Indians were superior, the one category for Carlyle made it difficult on the hosts.

The Indians out-rebounded Red Bud 33-11, with 12-offensive rebounds leading to second chances an points.

The Musketeers received 13-points from junior guard Luke Quintin and 12-points from senior guard Trent Sternberg in the loss.

Senior forward Lucas Schwartzkopf added six-points for RB.

Red Bud challenged the visitors early and even exchanged leads with Carlyle in the second quarter six times.

Carlyle led 7-2 in the early going but the Musketeers hung tough and led 13-12 with 2:45 on a Sternberg steal and fast break score.

The Indians scored the final six-points in the second quarter.

Guthrie got inside for a pair of baskets and a bucket by Taylor made it 18-13 at the half.

Carlyle got inside where they held a significant size advantage.

Steinkamp and Guthrie both finished drives for scores before a pair of crushing 3-point bombs found the mark for both Steinkamp and Huels, which forced a Red Bud timeout with the Musketeers in trouble at 28-15.

The Indians finished the second half beginning scoring splurge with another basket in the lane by Steinkamp and a fast break lay up by senior guard Jacob Ruscher to make it 32-15 and another time out by Coach Walter.

“I thought we competed very well but that first four minute stretch to begin the second half hurt us,” said Coach Walter. “They hit a few shots and we came up empty on possessions. We especially needed to shoot the ball well tonight and we didn't. We talked about it at halftime that we just needed some outside shots to fall.”

(CONTINUED)

Sternberg scored twice for Red Bud on a 3-pointer and a transition score as the Musketeers' trailed 34-20 heading to the fourth quarter.

“I told them at halftime that if we can get the ball out and go (run) then lets do it,” said Coach Taylor.

Carlyle took care of sealing the win by connecting from the foul line (7-of-9) in the final minutes.

Also both Guthrie and Taylor added scores in the paint and reserve 6-7 senior Logan Fruend added a basket and 1-of-2 free throws in the final 1:08.

Quintin scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter.

The Indians ended up 22-of-45 from the field, 2-of-13 from the arc while Red Bud were just 15-of-43 overall, 2-of-15 from long range.

Carlyle had just eight-turnovers compared to 10 by the Musketeers.

“Once they got ahead they were able to spread us out and do what they do best,” said Coach Walter. “I thought we battled and competed well considering everyone we start and play kids that are 6-foot-1 or under. It's a tough position to be in.”

The schedule for both teams doesn't provide much room for error.

The game at Red Bud marked the beginning of a stretch of four consecutive road games for Carlyle, including a non-conference game against fellow Clinton County club Breese Central.

They play at South Central next week before a trip to Okawville for their next Cahokia Conference Illinois Division on January 10.

Red Bud will host Okawville in its next game January 7.

“If we're going to have an opportunity to win the conference then we needed to come in here and win,' said Coach Taylor. “It comes down to what we're going to do and not what everybody else is going to do. It's about us taking care of business night in and night out.”