EFFINGHAM —
Friday night's game between Dieterich and St. Anthony turned into a game of runs, between both teams and between Dalton Hinterscher and Jacob Schuette.
While Hinterscher had 40 for the Movin' Maroons and Schuette had 30 for the Bulldogs, the game came down to a late three-point attempt by St. Anthony's John Goeckner.
With Dieterich clinging to a 63-61 lead with less than five seconds remaining, Dieterich coach Jeff Staser thought his team would be beaten late.
"I thought it was going down," he said. "It's a shame somebody had to lose that game. Dalton played a heck of a game, Schuette played a heck of a game."
Goeckner's three-pointer missed, and was rebounded by Hinterscher. He was fouled, drained two free throws and sealed a 65-61 win for the Maroons.
Hinterscher started about as hot as a player can, scoring 19 first-quarter points and accounting for 28 of his team's first 32 points. Schuette started slower as Dieterich stormed out to a 29-15 lead, but had 17 points of his own as the Maroons led 39-29 at the break.
St. Anthony switched things up defensively, moving to a 1-3-1 zone to contain Hinterscher, allowing them to cut the score to 47-40 after three as the Maroons struggled to adjust.
"We've got an offense we can run against it, but we haven't had to pull it out," Staser said. "We learned it the first week of practice. (The zone) threw them into a little bit of a funk."
The teams went back and forth into the fourth quarter, with St. Anthony pulling within three as the clock ticked down.
Dieterich held a 61-56 lead with less than a minute remaining, but a Schuette three cut the score back 61-59 with 29 seconds left. The teams traded points, setting up Goeckner's chance to win the game for the Bulldogs.
Both Hinterscher and Schuette were quiet in the third, as Hinterscher scored the only two points between them. But they both carried their teams in the fourth, with Schuette scoring 13 and Hinterscher scoring 10.
It was the third-quarter stretch that helped Dieterich hold on, as Devin Aherin had four points andJosh Campbell added two in the quarter.
"Tonight was one of those nights where they said if they're going to shut him down, we have to go to work," Staser said.
Tanner Traub finished with nine points, including two three pointers. Aherin had six and Brandon Westjohn had five points for Dieterich.
Goeckner had 14 points to go along with Schuette's 30. Jason Vogel added nine points.
St. Anthony coach Mark Tovey did not return calls Friday night for comment.
Dieterich moves to 7-4 on the year and 3-1 in the NTC. St. Anthony falls to 2-5 and 2-1 in the NTC.
The Maroons are off until their holiday tournament beginning on Dec. 26, while St. Anthony plays at Newton Friday night.
Dieterich 65, St. Anthony 61
Dieterich 23 16 8 18 - 65
St. Anthony 11 18 11 21 Ñ 61
Dieterich - Hinterscher 40, Traub 9, Aherin 6, Westjohn 5, Bushue 3, Campbell 2
St. Anthony - Schuette 30, Goeckner 14, Vogel 9, WIlliams 4, Z. Gardewine 2, A. Gardewine 2
