Newark blows by Plano

Newark looked as good as advertised Tuesday, running out to an 11-0 start and blowing out Plano 75-41 in the Reapers' opener.

"I thought we came out strong and played quick," said Newark coach Rick Tollefson, whose team was playing its fifth game after winning last week's Sandwich Thanksgiving Tournament. "Plano is a quick team that's capable of hitting some threes and getting back into it."

Not this night, though.

The Reapers, who are very small with only a handful of players taller than 6-foot and none taller than 6-2, had no answer for the Norsemen's great length.

Four-year starter John Avery, who stands 6-6, got Newark going from his spot on the wing, getting assists on the first two baskets with nice passes to senior guard Kyle Anderson and sophomore center Brett Anderson.

The visitors bolted to a 19-4 lead after one quarter and led 45-19 at the half, leaving no doubt about the outcome.

Kyle Anderson, the recently signed University of Delaware recruit, led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds. Brett Anderson (no relation to Kyle) added 17 to go with his eight rebounds. Avery also had 17 points and doled out six assists and pulled down four rebounds.

"We had some trouble keeping them out of the lane," said Plano coach Brett Moore. "I was told they shot 70 percent (32 of 46). You're not gonna beat many teams that shoot 70 percent. They moved the ball pretty well and took advantage of their height. We tried to spread them out but, defensively, I've never seen them play that well in space. They used their length to their advantage."

The loss of 6-2 jumping jack Joseph Jones, who broke his leg in football and is out for the season, is going to be troublesome for Plano, which was out-rebounded 32-17.

It didn't help when, just three minutes into the first quarter starter Andrew DeBolt appeared to catch an errant elbow and suffered a cut to the face that was bleeding heavily. He was taken for stitches and didn't return.

Senior guard Walter King came off the bench to lead the Reapers with 12 points.

"He's got a lot of athletic ability and can take the ball to the basket," said Moore. "He started varsity last year but got hurt right before Christmas and really struggled after that. We're expecting big things from him."

Plano also got 10 from Luke Campbell, but shot just 14 of 51 (27 percent) from the floor, including 2 of 22 from beyond the 3-point line.

"We don't shoot that many 3s in a whole practice," said Moore, who promises his team will show more, defensively, to take advantage of their quickness.

"They made us beat them from outside and it didn't work for us."

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