Getting an abundance of open looks was going to be out of the question against an experienced and tenacious North Tech defense on Monday. So first-year Warrenton coach Mike Uffmann knew his team …
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Warrenton Boys Fall to North Tech
Posted
Derrick Forsythe, Records Sports Editor
Getting an abundance of open looks was going to be out of the question against an experienced and tenacious North Tech defense on Monday.So first-year Warrenton coach Mike Uffmann knew his team would have to focus on ball security and getting to the free-throw line.For the most part, that goal was accomplished. But the Warriors missed one crucial detail in completing their efforts — converting those charity shots.Warrenton went just 13 of 29 during its 64-45 loss in the season opener and first round contest against the No. 1 seed in Winfield Tournament.“That team is a nightmare of a team to start off against,” said Uffmann. “The last thing we wanted to see (to begin the season) was a team that strong defensively with that amount of leadership coming back.”North Tech returned all five starters from a 22-6 campaign and was able to fluster a Warrior team that is still trying to find its identity. Warrenton was able to protect the ball to its coach’s liking, but its opponent wasn’t giving up any open lanes to the basket.“Our second point of emphasis was that we needed to take care of the ball, and we actually did an okay job,” said Uffmann. “We just forced up a few more shots than we needed to.”North Tech got off to a slow start offensively, actually letting the Warriors have the first lead before scoring two minutes into the contest. The Golden Eagles then proceeded to drop 16 unanswered points en route to an 18-3 advantage after one quarter.Warrenton found a rhythm offensively in the second period, getting some points off the bench from Ryan Bradshaw and Ben Stevens.But they also faced a setback during that stretch, as leading scorers Alec Tonioli and Ron Richardson drew early fouls and Tonioli retreated to the bench with three.“You’re looking at our two returning starters with foul trouble in the first half, but those other guys never backed down,” said Uffmann. “That goes back to our depth. We’ve got 13 guys who can step on the floor and contribute.”Still, Uffmann says the Warriors had their chances at the line to make it a competitive contest heading into the third quarter. Instead, his team faced a 31-15 halftime deficit.“If you’re shooting 30 percent from the free-throw line, that’s not going to help you any,” said Uffmann. “Not to mention we got 20 attempts in the first half. If we make half of those we’ve got a single digit ballgame at half."North Tech separated itself with a run early in the third quarter, never allowing Warrenton to become comfortable in the halfcourt.“They sped us up and we played at their tempo,” said Uffmann. “We got our looks and did exactly what we wanted to do, but we just didn’t finish around the rim and gave up way too many rebounds.”The Warriors trailed 51-27 after three quarters, with Tonioli picking up a fourth foul.Uffmann says the foul trouble did reveal one positive, in that Warrenton appears to have a deep bench that will allow for keeping fresh players on the floor.“We’re definitely mixing and matching a lot,” said Uffmann. “We started making some runs when we had certain guys out there, so we stuck with that group.”Richardson finished with a team-high 10 points, while Bradshaw scored eight and Tonioli added six.“We’re going to surprise some people this year,” said Uffmann.Tech helped its cause by knocking down nine three pointers.
The Warrenton boys basketball team opened the Winfield Tournament with a 64-45 loss to North Tech on Monday.
