After getting off to slow starts in some of its first six games of the boys basketball season, Columbus Christian realized the importance of being ready from the opening tip Tuesday night against Martinsville Tabernacle Christian.
The Crusaders did exactly that. They scored the game’s first 16 points and led 40-7 at halftime on their way to a 62-30 victory.
“It was pretty important,” senior forward Gabe Ridder said. “The last couple games, we had struggled coming out to play, and I think this game, we came out a lot stronger and a lot more prepared and focused than we had in the previous games. Hopefully, we can take from this game and learn from how we came out prepared and take that to our next games.”
The fast start began on the defensive end for Columbus Christian (4-3). The Crusaders did not allow a field goal in the first quarter and led 22-2 after eight minutes.
“Defensively, we really brought the intensity, and unlike other games where we struggled in the first quarter, this game, we showed up defensively,” senior guard Peyton Rehlander said. “We need to continue the intensity on defense and emphasize on that.”
Columbus Christian forced the Eagles into 19 turnovers for the game.
“I thought our defense helped spur on our offense, and we’ve been trying to stress that throughout the season,” Columbus Christian coach Kevin Roth said. “I wanted to get some easy buckets, and I thought we really put pressure on their shooters.”
Most of the second half was played with a running clock after the Crusaders built a 35-point lead. Columbus Christian played its reserves for about the final 11 minutes of the game.
Ridder led Columbus Christian with 22 points and added seven rebounds, while Rehlander scored all 16 of his points in the first half. Cody Kiefer grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Crusaders to a 45-38 advantage on the boards.
Meanwhile, Columbus Christian committed only eight turnovers.
“We had some film on them, and we knew they were going to run that zone, and worked on a set play where we were able to get the ball to the high post or into the short corner and get Gabe going,” Roth said. “Then, Peyton with his outside shooting and ball reversal was hitting, as well.”
