Himmelberg provides needed boost

~ Another fast start proved the difference in the march to Columbia.

FARMINGTON -- Notre Dame senior Austin Greer said when teammate Mark Himmelberg is shooting well from 3-point range, their team cannot be beat.

"We will not lose," Greer said. "When he's hitting, the whole team is flowing right."

Greer's theory held strong Saturday night.

Himmelberg scored 14 points, including netting four 3-pointers, and Notre Dame 6-foot-8 center Ryan Willen poured in 17 points, to help their team roll past St. Clair 61-33 in a Class 4 quarterfinal contest at a packed and rowdy Farmington Civic Center.

Notre Dame's Austin Greer put up a jump shot during the second quarter against St. Clair.

Notre Dame (22-6) advanced to the Class 4 state semifinals, where it will play Lincoln Prep on Friday at 12:20 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.

The winner of that contest will advance to play in the Class 4 state title game Saturday at 2 p.m., also at Mizzou Arena, against the victor of St. Charles West and Webb City.

Himmelberg certainly is excited to be making the trip to Columbia. He can't wait to play in Mizzou Arena again.

"I've been a big Mizzou fan my whole life," Himmelberg said. "I've got Mizzou license plates on my car. Ever since Mizzou Arena was built, I knew I wanted to be there. It's just been part of my upbringing -- being a Mizzou fan. There is no better place for the state tournament."

This is the second straight season Notre Dame posted a quarterfinal victory over St. Clair, winning last year's meeting 60-28. Notre Dame then went on to place second in Class 4.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com

As Notre Dame built a 19-point first-quarter lead, the school's rowdy student section reminded the St. Clair players and fans about last year's rout.

"Just like last year," the section chanted loud and clear at the St. Clair sideline. "Just like last year."

Himmelberg was a big reason Notre Dame jumped out to a 19-point lead in the first quarter. He came out on fire early, nailing a 3-pointer to put his team up 3-0, then drove to the basket soon after to give Notre Dame a 5-0 advantage 1 minute, 55 seconds into the contest.

Notre Dame went on a 14-2 run in the first 4:32, and ended the first period with a 24-5 lead, allowing the school's student section to go wild, and break out a number of different chants, ranging from "You can't stop us," to "That was easy" and "This is boring."

"If you can get hot early, it helps," Himmelberg said, discussing his quick start. "I just come out and tried to knock them down and shoot it with confidence. I've been hitting more lately. I struggled for a little bit, but I'm starting to hit again, so my confidence is up and the basket looks a little bigger now."

tries to push his way up towards the basket during their quarterfinal game against St. Clair on Saturday, March 1, 2008. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

"We moved the ball around real well," he added about the team's collective effort in the first quarter. "We were getting the ball inside and knocking shots down inside. If we can hit our shots, then we are a pretty well-oiled machine."

Notre Dame did have a balanced offensive attack in the first quarter, with four of its five starters scoring at least five points.

Notre Dame went on a 9-0 run in the first 1:43 of the second quarter to increase its lead to 33-5. The stretch consisted of a 3-pointer by Willen, a 3-pointer by Himmelberg then a three-point play by Willen.

Himmelberg nailed another trey with 4:02 remaining in the period to give Notre Dame a 38-10 advantage.

Notre Dame led 44-12 at the break.

TOP: Notre Dame's Blake Gaddis dunked during the fourth quarter. BOTTOM: Notre Dame's Ryan Willen tried to get off a shot.

"The first half, he was money," Notre Dame's Ty Williams said of Himmelberg. "He couldn't miss."

Willen added about Himmelberg: "He came out and made everything. ... When he's making it, it really spreads defenses out because he can step a foot or two behind the arc, and when he does that, they have to respect his shot. It really opens up things down low and we get easier shots. And if they decide to hop on us, he knocks them down."

With a 32-point lead entering the fourth quarter at 54-22, Notre Dame rolled to victory.