January 27, 2002 12:18 AM
Hot-to-touch Lions do in Rocks
By Jeff Wendland, staff sports writer Rock Island boys basketball coach Thom Sigel knew
his team's opponent for Saturday's second game of the Quad-Cities/Peoria Shootout could
play defense. What Sigel never imagined was that Peoria Central would shoot the lights out
of the Rock Island Fieldhouse.
Coming in touted as the best defensive team in the Peoria area, the Lions (13-5) lived
up to that billing from the outset, swarming the Rocks with pressure on every pass and
every shot.
However, it was a blistering 11-of-14 shooting performance, including 5-of-6 from
3-point land that helped Peoria bolt out to a 29-13 lead and roll to a 69-54 win Saturday
night.
``That was really quick,'' said Sigel. ``We knew about their ability on defense. When
they shoot it like that, not many teams are going to beat them.''
Lions coach Chuck Buescher wasn't sure what to expect from his team coming off a
last-second win over rival Pekin on Friday.
``It's hit or miss after a game like that,'' Buescher said. ``You hope you get a
carryover, but sometimes you can come out flat. When you hit shots like that, it's hard
not to look good. I think our defense actually fed off the offense which is a change for
us.''
The Rocks (9-8) never really challenged after the huge first quarter, but Sigel liked
the way his team never quit and showed some encouraging signs.
``The way our last three games had gone and with that start, it would have been easy to
pack it in,'' said Sigel. ``I liked the way we kept competing and kept working. We're not
happy with the results, but the signs are certainly better.
``I saw a lot of guys giving great effort right to the end, and I saw guys who believed
they belonged on the court with an awfully good team. I think the guys leave the gym
feeling alot better about themselves.''
Sigel also saw a few more signs of the future for the Rocks. He played six sophomores
in all, including three who saw their first-ever varsity action.
Dail Rice had six points and four rebounds in limited action, while Justin Sharp had
three points, Sam Johnson had two and A.J. Veasey had a nice assist. Howard Davis, who has
played with the varsity only this season, had nine points and Jeff Banks had two.
``I thought they all showed some nice things,'' said Sigel. ``We'll continue to have
them practice and dress with us. How they practice will determine how much we use them the
rest of the way. The nicest thing is that every guy left the locker room with his
playbook, so that means they care and want to get better.''
David Wilson led the Rocks with 18.
For the Lions, Daniel Ruffin hit three first-quarter triples and finished with 15.
Quenton Edwards added 15 and 6-foot-6 Chris Brown notched 11.
``I thought Chris Brown was a real factor clogging up the middle on defense and this
was his best offensive game of the season,'' said Buescher.
Copyright 2000, Moline Dispatch
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