The Middletown High School boys basketball team is riding a three game win streak, it’s off to its best start in recent memory, but they aren’t over confident. The Knights (5-2) are taking this season one-step at a time, and it seems to be working.
“The past is the past,” said junior guard Ian Roy. “We have to take care of business one step at a time.”
The Knights will use that approach on Jan. 8 going up against Linganore (2-3). The Lancers and coach Tom Kraft are coming off of a 67-55 loss to Frederick Jan. 7.
The Lancers hung with the Cadets until the fourth quarter when Frederick’s 10-11 mark from the free throw line proved to be too much for the Lancers to overcome.
The dynamic duo of Thomas Lang and Jack Staub each scored 23 for the Lancers.
The Knights are coming off a narrow 50-49 victory over FSK on Jan. 6. The Knights were able to take control of the game in the fourth quarter; going on a decisive 18-9 run to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter, in the final two minutes on a steal and layup by Roy.
“It was tough [against FSK],” said Roy. “It helped us a lot, now we know we can overcome a deficit and win games.”
The Knights received a great deal of help from sophomore Matt Considine, and senior Brad Rinehart who scored 13 and 12 points respectively.
Perimeter defense and fast paced offense seem to have become the trademark for this year’s Knights squad. Senior Tim Schumacher and Rinehart routinely hound opposing guards; making it hard for them to even bring the ball up the court.
The Knights small ball lineup worked wonders against the less athletic FSK, and junior Cedric Ayenu and senior Ben Panther were key components in being able to cope with the lack of size in the lineup. Ayenu grabbed eight boards, and Panther protected the rim with eight blocks.
There is no doubt that the Knights feel much more confident than in years past, and they see some special things in their future.
“Our team’s strongest attribute is the hustle, heart and work ethic we bring to every game. From the first to the final buzzer,” said Roy.
