/images/devices.png)
/images/newspaper.png)
/images/textalerts.png)
/images/newsletters.png)
Vikings pound Bulldogs 54-21
GENEVA – There was one big surprise on Friday night at Geneva and it came before the opening tip of its DuKane Conference game against Batavia.
Geneva honored senior three-year starters Jack McDonald and Mitch Mascari for surpassing 1,000 points apiece in their high school careers, and then the Vikings went out and nearly shut out the Bulldogs in the first quarter en route to pounding their rivals, 54-21.
McDonald’s layup with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter gave the Vikings a 30-point lead at 43-13 and the final quarter was played with a running clock.
“It was a ton of fun to come out and stick it to them like that,” McDonald said. “We talked about this in the locker room with it being the last time playing Batavia, with the rivalry and all, so it felt good to really stick it to them.”
Josh Preston’s layup off the opening tip got the Vikings started and they never slowed down.
Geneva scored the first 14 points of the game and didn't surrender a basket – despite Geneva’s BlueCrue pleading at Batavia to “Score a point!” – until Devin Cheaney connected with 1:02 left in the quarter.
“Geneva is very good and there hasn’t been anybody within 20 points of them in the last five or six games,” Batavia coach Jim Nazos said. “They’ve got a lot of rhythm offensively and defensively and we’re a work in progress. That’s the attitude we’re going to take.”
Geneva (24-1, 10-1) made the game look easy with crisp ball movement and unselfish play on offense and stingy, team defense.
Breaking the game open at 34-13 at halftime, the Vikings were constantly able to get the ball inside for easy baskets, making 12 layups, a putback and a dunk in the first half to account for all but six of their points.
“We got off to a great start, hit some shots and defensively I thought we were outstanding,” Geneva coach Scott Hennig said. “[Batavia] missed shots, but I thought every shot they took, even those around the rim, was contested. After probably the first three or four minutes I think we killed them on the glass.”
“Ben gave us a little spark and it’s been like that all year,” Hennig said. “We’re playing team basketball, sharing the ball and making the extra pass, and defensively we’redoing a nice job.”
Batavia (10-14, 3-6) scored the first six points of the second quarter to pull within 16-8 but never got any closer.
“Early on I thought we got looks, we missed, they capitalized and it got away,” Nazos said. “For us, we get back in on Monday and we’re going to work and continue to get back and do things the right way and make a run here late.”
Cheaney led the Bulldogs with six points while standout Jayden Johnson was limited to just three points.
“We eliminated Jayden Johnson tonight,” McDonald said. “Everyone had a lot of energy and our defense was strong. I think that helped us have an all around great game.”
Mascari led the Vikings with 13 points and McDonald added 11. They were unaware that they were being honored during a brief pre-game ceremony.
“My dad told me [afterward] he knew since Sunday, but I had no idea,” Mascari said. “I’m glad they did something for us. I think there’s only like nine 1,000-point scorers in this school so it’s really special to have two of us both in the same class get athousand. It’s a real blessing, especially being on a team since sophomore year. It’s been a ton of fun. I can’t ask for anything better.”
The Batavia Bulldogs take the court for warmups prior to tip-off against Geneva in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Joshua Preston (30) drives to the basket against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Jack McDonald (3) steals a pass against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Joshua Preston (30) drives to the basket against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Batavia's Devin Cheaney (54) drives to the basket against Geneva's Joshua Preston (30) in Geneva Feb. 8.
The Geneva Vikings take the court for warmups prior to tipoff against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Batavia's Marko Yager (52) shoots the ball in the post against Geneva in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Ben Johlie (0) shoots the ball in the paint off of a backdoor cut against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Jack McDonald (3) shoots a floater against Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Blue True members (left to right) Jack Bawman, JP Valentine and Cole Haberker, 17, get ready to cheer for their team against rival Batavia in Geneva Feb. 8.
Batavia's head coach Jim Nazos calls a play against Geneva in Geneva Feb. 8.
Batavia's Jayden Johnson (24) shoots a floater against Geneva in Geneva Feb. 8.
Batavia's Devin Cheaney (54) posts up against Geneva's Joshua Preston (30) in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Kross Garth (23) is fouled by Batavia's Devin Cheaney (54) while shooting during the first quarter of play in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's Mitch Mascari (22) defends the paint against Batavia's Jack Carlson (2) in Geneva Feb. 8.
Geneva's head coach Scott Hennig reacts after a call against Geneva in Geneva Feb. 8.