Sterling Jets VS Lewiston
January 25, 2008
By Jimmy Motz
January 25, 2008
JETS SOAR PAST TIGERS
Sterling picked up its 11th win of the season last Friday night, defeating Lewiston on the road 61-34. The Jets had 10 players score in the game, led by senior D.J. Thiel’s 12 points.
Balanced scoring and bench play was key for the Jets, as 35 of the 61 points were scored from the bench. Junior Devin Heusman had a season high 9 points off the bench, and Kyle Lowmack had 7 points.
“Devin and Kyle sparked us early in the game” said head coach Jimmy Motz. “I felt those two guys played their best games of the year, and we needed them early on. It wasn’t just scoring, it was defense, hustle plays, and playing unselfish that made them stand out. They continue to get better.”
Sterling trailed early in the game 5-2, but ended the first quarter on a 13-3 run, which put the Jets up 15-6. Thiel and Zach Lempka got the inside game going for the Jets in the second quarter. Sterling led 30-16 at half.
Defense was the key in the second half. Sterling only allowed one made field goal and outscored Lewiston 14-2 in the third quarter. Jese Salberg had two steals in which he converted into layups. Lowmack and Heusman each hit big shots to make the score 44-18 after three quarters.
“I felt we were not ready to play when the game started. Our intensity wasn’t there and our focus was bad” Motz said. “However, we started the second half with some fire and played really hard at the defensive end. That’s how we need to play for 32 minutes.”
William Wirthele, Jake Wirthele, Klay Heusman, and Franklin Boyer-Sears helped out along with Heusman and Lowmack off then bench for the Jets. William Wirthele had 6 points, Jake Wirthele and Klay Heusman each had six points and combined together to hit 4 three pointers, and Boyer-Sears had one free throw.
Motz says a road win is always a good win.
“Anytime you win on the road, no matter who it is, its always big. We have to continue to get better and improving. Our stretch of games coming up will test us.”
Sterling will play in the Pioneer Conference tournament this week.
Sterling 15 15 14 17 61
Lewiston 6 10 2 16 34
S- Salberg 5, J. Wirthele 6, K. Heusman 6, Saathoff 2, W. Wirthele 6, D. Heusman 9, Lowmack 7, Lempka 7, Thiel 12, Boyer-Sears 1
L- Tremain 2, Tate 5, Oates 8, Maguire 9, Kwiatkowski 2, Sisco 6, Robeson 2
