MILLER – Aberdeen Roncalli got a second chance and made the most of it Tuesday night in Miller.
The Cavaliers ran the same exact play that did not get the desired result in regulation, but produced the game-winner in overtime in a 52-50 non-conference boys’ basketball win over the Rustlers.
The play had Keegan Stewart driving to the right side of the basket and the senior put in the game-winner with four seconds remaining.
“When we got into the situation for that second chance at a game-winner, we thought we had a decent one the first time around and got called for the travel,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher, “so we were like, let’s go back to it, let’s see what we get, and Keegan came up big for us.”
The victory ended a bit of a drought against the Rustlers in recent years.
“We’ve had our struggles with Miller over the last couple of years,” Gallagher said, “so finally coming out on top was nice.”
Roncalli owned a five-point lead late in regulation, but Miller fought back and eventually tied the game.
The Cavaliers executed a game plan in which they played a box-and-one defense on Rustlers leading scorer Alex Schumacher. The senior standout managed just five points.
“Brody Weinmeister is how we did it,” Gallagher said. “He was as close to him as you get could without fouling him.”
And other Cavaliers pitched in when needed.
“It was kind of a complete-team deal,” Gallagher said, “because if we were getting screens, we were switching it and the goal for however it was, if you’re outside, you don’t leave (number) 10.”
As a result, sophomore Isaak Hunter had a big night, leading Miller with 21 points.
“The Hunter kid is a great athlete,” Gallagher said. “We kind of said going in we’re going to do our best to take Schumacher out of the game, but understanding that, that means Hunter is going to go off and have his own game.”
Meanwhile, Stewart led all scorers with 23 points. He scored in a variety of ways, and hurt the Rustlers with his inside presence.
“He’s really buying into kind of an increased role,” Gallagher said. “At the start of the year it seemed like he was just a perimeter player, but as the weeks have gone on, he’s really owned that role of getting inside and using his strength and using his size to get some buckets down low.”
Maddox Miller contributed 19 points to the Roncalli total.
The Cavaliers, 10-6 on the season, square off against Aberdeen Christian on Thursday at the Civic Arena. The two sides know each other well, combining for a football cooperative in the fall.
“They’re a solid team,” Gallagher said. “Luckily, I feel like I know them pretty well.”
Gallagher said the players always enjoy facing their gridiron teammates.
“It’s going to be a fun match up for sure,” Gallagher said. “It’s one our guys always look forward to.”
ABERDEEN RONCALLI (10-6): Maddox Miller 6 4-4 19, Brody Weinmeister 1 1-2 3, Keegan Stewart 10 1-1 23, Aiden Fisher 1 0-0 2, Parker Grieben 2 1-3 5. Totals 21 7-10 52.
MILLER (5-12): Alex Schumacher 2 1-1 5, Davin Nelson 1 0-0 3, Gentry Harrell 3 2-2 10, Isaak Hunter 9 2-4 21, Treyton Ansa 1 0-0 2, William Resel 2 0-0 5, Oliver Fritzsche 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 5-7 50.
Aberdeen Roncalli 12 24 34 43 52
Miller 10 24 32 43 50 3-point field goals – Miller (3), Stewart (2); Nelson, Harrell (2), Hunter, Resel. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 14; Miller 11.
