JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Stew-Stras got off the schnide by snapping their 4-game losing streak with a consolation semifinal win over Brownstown on Friday, 67-52. But, Dieterich put the Comets right back in the loss column on Saturday, beating them in the consolation title game, 71-64.
Stew-Stras started the season as the best team in the Shelb area, but now all bets are off since 4-year starting guard and leading scorer (19 ppg) Jaden Widdersheim was injured. Since then, the Comets won two games, then lost four in a row. They beat Brownstown in a revenge rematch, but then lost to Dieterich.
The Comets had the right dynamic to win the consolation final, as they had four players in double figures. Shootist Will Rincker led the troops with a quartet of 3-pointers and 5-of-6 free throw shooting for 17 points. Chris Koontz, floor-running, big man had 16 points and low post presence Jon Hoene scored 15 points. Nick Ferris was also a double-digit performer, scoring 13 points, including one trey.
However, the Comets couldn't defend the 3-point line. Dieterich knocked down 12 triples. Their leading scorer, Kuhl (25 points), made four, Thoele (11 points) made three treys, Hinterscher (11 points) made three and Bohnhoff (6 points) had two more.
The Maroons' 22-point first quarter gave them a 7-point margin that faded, then returned. The Comets cut the lead to two in the second with a 15-11 run to trail just, 33-31. The Comets didn't let up after the break, but still trailed by three heading down the stretch, 52-49. The Maroons picked up the pace and were able to finish strong, with that 7-point margin.
Stew-Stras has a tough 2-game road trip when they return to regular action this week, traveling to Teutopolis on Friday and Nokomis on Saturday.
NTC Consolation Title
Dieterich 71, Stew-Stras 64
D'trich 22-11-19-19—71
Stew 15-16-18-15—64
Stew stats: W. Rincker 17 (4-3 pt FGs, 5/6 FTs), Koontz 16 (8 FGs), Hoene 15 (7 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Ferris 13 (3-2s, 1-3 pt FGs, 4/7 FTs), Tabbert 2 (FG), Thomas 1 (1/2 FTs) Team FGs 24 (5-3 pt: Rincker 4, Ferris 1). Team FTs 11-of-20.
D'trich stats: Kuhl 25 (3-2s, 4-3 pt FGs, 7/7 FTs), Ohnesorge 12 (5 FGs, 2/8 FTs), Thoele11 (1-2, 3-3 pt FGs), Hinterscher 11 (3-3 pt FGs, 2/2 FTs), Bohnhoff 6 (2-3 pt FGs), Probst 4 92 FGs, 0/1 FTs). Team FGS 24 (12- 3pt: Kuhl 4, Thoele 3, Hinterscher 3, Bohnhoff 2). Team FTs 11-of-19.
