Slidell shoots down Archer City

Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by in Basketball (Boys), Slidell Greyhounds

By Richard Greene
With Archer City focused on shutting down Slidell’s double-double man Trent Garrett inside Monday afternoon, the Greyhounds needed some perimeter offense.
After a rough start, Tyler Maynard obliged in the second quarter, hitting four three-pointers to help the Greyhounds build a 16-point halftime lead on the way to a 41-28 win at Slidell High School.
Slidell moved to 12-4 on the season. The Greyhounds play Valley View Tuesday afternoon before hitting the Christmas break. It’s one of two games left for Slidell before the 17-A opener Dec. 31 against Henrietta Midway.
“I feel good about where we are at 12-4,” said Slidell coach Todd McCormick. “Hopefully we get that one tomorrow and get to 13-4.”
Garrett added: “We feel like we’re building some momentum heading into district.”
The Greyhounds led early, but couldn’t get any momentum going because of a tough shooting start. Slidell led 8-2 after the first quarter, but went 3-for-17 from the field.
“We couldn’t hit anything in the first half,” McCormick said.
Maynard missed his first six shots — five in the first quarter and his first in the second frame. He then hit a three-pointer in the corner. That shot started a streak of four of his next five, including a leaning three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.
“I just kept shooting,” said Maynard, who finished with 12 points. “If they are going to collapse on Trent, we’ve got to make some three-pointers.”
McCormick said it good to see a confident Maynard continue to fire.
“I’ve told him that he’s got to take those shots,” the Slidell coach said. “Even if he’s missed two or three, he’s got to shoot it. He’s a good shooter and can shoot his way out of it.
After his hot shooting in the second quarter, Archer City had to adjust its defense leaving Garrett one-on-one downlow. Maynard and Slidell’s other guards began feeding the ball to the big man, who scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half. He finished with a double-double, grabbing 14 rebounds.
“When they are playing like that in the post, it helps when the guards are hitting three-pointers,” Garrett said. “In the second half, they had to focus on Tyler more and it opened things up for me.”
Garrett, who was whistled for two early fouls, also stayed out of foul trouble to remain on the floor in the second half.
“He got in foul trouble early, and he’s done a good job of not getting in foul trouble this year,” McCormick said. “In the second half, he played well and did not get any more fouls.”
Slidell built the lead to 22, 33-11, with Garrett’s layin with 2:10 left in the third quarter.
The Greyhounds led 33-16 going into the fourth quarter.
Archer City cut the deficit to 11, 35-24, with 2:30 left in the game on a layup by Tyler Green. Green scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
A pair of baskets from Garrett made sure Archer City got no closer.

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