Boys Basketball: Highland slows down pace, stuns Bishop Noll

Updated: February 3, 2012 11:02PM

HAMMOND — The power of a good, well-executed game plan can never be underestimated.

Highland reaped the benefits of one.

The Warriors played their version of the burn offense against Bishop Noll on Friday, turning the Warriors’ legs into jelly and leaving them gasping for breath with an endless series of cuts and screens in a 57-44 victory.

It was a stunning win for Highland, which had come down to earth after starting out 7-2. The reason for the descent had a lot to do with the opponents — they lost to Munster, Lake Central, Lowell and Andrean during one stretch. The victory over Noll was Highland’s fourth straight since that difficult stretch. The loss for the Warriors ended a 37-game regular season winning streak.

Highland coach Eddie Fierek installed a made-for-Noll offense on Monday this week, which essentially consisted of lots of screening and back door cuts in a high post setting.

“We just cut them to death,” Fierek said.

The strategy worked, frustrating Noll, which likes to push the pace.

Highland didn’t start three of its regulars — Nick Hardict, Brandon Reyes and Michael Anderson — because Fierek wanted to switch it up.

The first half was essentially a push, with neither team taking more than a three-point lead.

Noll took a 10-7 lead after the first quarter after Dean Danos sliced through some Trojans defenders for a layup.

Noll took a 13-11 lead with 5:23 left in the half on a pair of free throws by Ronnye Beamon.

Highland took the lead into the locker room, scoring five of the last seven points. A putback at the buzzer by Michael Anderson gave the Trojans a 16-15 lead.

Noll looked refreshed and energized starting the second half, taking a 21-16 lead with 6:19 left in the third quarter on 3-pointer by Beamon.

If ever there was a moment when it looked like the Warriors could take control of the game, it was after Beamon’s basket.

But the Trojans got a big basket from Tyler Ryzewski, who was fouled but he missed the free throw.

The score was enough to settle Highland down and get it back on track.

An 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter pretty much sealed the Warriors’ fate.

Reyes, who finished with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, said the game plan meant everything.

The Trojans like to shoot and play briskly but they knew they couldn’t do that and expect to win.

“It was different,” Reyes said of the pace. “Usually, I don’t shoot anything inside of five feet.”

Bishop Noll coach Drew Trost was philosophical about the loss.

“Maybe this will be good for us, “ he said. “You know, they’re kids. They read the paper. They know we were ranked No. 1 (in the area). Hopefully they can learn from this.”

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