Indians run past Danville

By Erich Murphy

Bingo Magic Sports

A pair of runs provided Pontiac with enough momentum to get past Danville 60-52 in the last consolation quarterfinal contest of the second day of the 94th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament Tuesday.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase what we have,” senior Cayden Masching said. “We had a bad taste in our mouth (from last year), we were trying to show what we have and to play on Day 3.”

“I’m proud of our guys, they did a great job of responding,” PTHS head coach Matt Starker said. “We talked about being resilient and I think the beginning of the game gave us that chance to give some practice to it.

“They were knocking down some shots, thing’s weren’t going our way. We just found a way to keep grinding.”

Pontiac’s Cayden Masching splits Danville defenders Erien Smith (10) and Kindyn Mason during the Indians consolation game with the Vikings. Masching had 16 points as PTHS advanced with a 60-52 victory. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

There was similarity in how the game with Danville was going early compared to how the Tribe played Lockport. Both opponents were long and were making shots.

The difference came when Danville cooled in the first half and start of the second. These were times when the Indians gained an edge.

Pontiac went on a 10-2 in a two-minute span at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second, going up 18-17 for its first lead of the game.

Pontiac’s Ben Melchers loses his balance after being pushed by Danville’s Kindyn Mason during consolation bracket play at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Tuesday. Melchers scored 10 points in a 60-52 PTHS win. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

The Indians led 25-23 at the break and then ripped off 13 straight points in the third for a 38-23 advantage.

It was not unexpected for the Vikings to make a charge, but Pontiac was up to the challenge.

“Three guys in particular who had great bounce back were Ben Melchers, Aden Brummel and Cayden Masching,” Starker said. “We handled the ball in the fourth quarter, we were able to break the press and get into our offense and get to the line and knock down our free throws.”

Pontiac made all eight of its charity tosses in the final 1:12 to seal the victory.

“It was the small things that added up,” Masching said. He noted that the energy level was better in this game.

Masching paced Pontiac (9-2) with 16 points while Amazin King threw in 12. Brummel checked in with 10 points and 6 rebounds while Melchers also scored 10 points.

DeAndre Burns led Danville (3-5) with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Corey Frye added 12 points and Amir Beasley had 10.

Pontiac head coach Matt Starker diagrams a play during a timeout late in the Tribe’s 60-52 win over Danville at the 94th PHT Tuesday. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Pontiac will meet Bloom Township, a 51-28 winner over Plainfield North, in the consolation semifinal round.

“They’re similar to Danville, so having this game helps prepare for that,” Starker said of Bloom. “It’s not going to be a shock feel in how they’re going to play us.”