Thursday, March 09, 2000
Madeira boys close to repeat
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DAYTON — A state Final Four team that lost five starters to graduation and returned only two part-time players, probably should exit early from the next year's postseason tournament.
Not Madeira. The Mustangs, Division III state semifinalists in 1999, have climbed within two victories of returning to Columbus for another shot at the title.
Relyng on the outside shooting of Jeff McConnaughey, Brandon Konieczka and Steve Tudor, along with the inside scoring of Bret Underwood, the Mustangs defeated Valley View 70-64 Wednesday to claim the district championship.
Madeira advances to next week's Division III regional semifinals against Greeneview at 6:15p.m. Thursday at Wright State University.
It was Konieczka and McConnaughey who were the difference for the Mustangs in the second half. They combined for six 3-pointers, enabling Madeira to open up a 12-point lead.
“I had an off night the last game and only had one 3-pointer,” Konieczka said. “Tonight I had a lot of confidence, and everything seemed to fall.”
Madeira coach Jim Reynolds applauded Konieczka's effort.
With Madeira leading 32-24 at halftime, McConnaughey and Konieczka each sank two 3-pointers over Valley View's 2-3 zone defense, enabling Madeira to stay in front 44-37 going into the final quarter.
“There's not many teams that play zone against us, and it surprised me,” Madeira coach Jim Reynolds said.
Konieczka's two 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter staked Madeira to its biggest lead at 58-46 with 4:47 remaining.
VALLEY VIEW (64) — Stiver 5-11 0-0 10, Wafzig 3-9 0-0 6, Hogg 4-5 0-0 8, Buehner 6-21 4-4 19, Strayer 3-9 0-0 6, Slamer 2-5 0-0 5, Boyer 2-6 0-0 6, Longworth 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 26-68 4-4 64.
MADEIRA (70) — McConnaughey 3-9 4-5 12, Hern 3-9 4-4 10, Underwood 7-11 3-4 7, Tudor 3-7 2-2 11, Dooley 2-5 1-2 5, Scheuer 0-1 0-0 0, Burch 0-2 0-0 0, Konieczka 5-9 0-0 15. Totals: 23-53 14-17 70.
Valley View ....... 15 9 13 27—64
Madeira ....... 17 15 12 26—70
3-pointers: M 10-26 (Konieczka 5, Tudor 3, McConnaughey 2. V 8-26 (Buehner 3, Strayer 2, Slamer, Boyer 2. Rebounds: M 39 (Underwood 10). V 34 (Hogg 8). Assists: M 15 (Dooley 8). V 14 (Strayer 5). Records: Madeira 20-3, Valley View 19-5.
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