Leopold's hot shooting buries Meadow Heights

Leopold kept waiting for it, but it never came.

Meadow Heights chose to avoid slapping on its press against the Wildcats in Wednesday's consolation final at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. As a result, Leopold jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half and used a sizzling third quarter to seal the 70-50 victory.

"Last time we played them, we had trouble getting past their press," Leopold senior John Bohnsack said. "We turned the ball over. Coach got on us and we worked on it in practice, not turning the ball over. I think today we accomplished that."

Meadow Heights and Leopold split the two games they played earlier this season. The Panthers relied heavily on their press in those two games, but coach Tom Brown decided against using it Wednesday.

"They prepared for our press well," Brown said. "I think we just didn't have our legs."

The lack of constant pressure allowed the Leopold guards to bring the ball up the floor with ease.

"They're quick and they get in your face," Bohnsack said of the Panthers' press. "It's hard to get past it. Today, it just seemed like it was a lot easier. We just moved it up the court quick today."

Meadow Heights stuck with Leopold for the first quarter by shooting 50 percent (6 of 12) from the floor. But the Panthers' offense cooled off in the second quarter. Leopold limited Meadow Heights to 30 percent (6 of 20) in the second quarter and even built a 16-point lead. But Meadow Heights answered with a 10-0 run before Bohnsack drained a 3-pointer with 46 second left before halftime.

"With Meadow Heights, you really don't have the lead," Leopold coach Shawn Kinder said. "They're such an offensive-oriented team. They score points in a hurry. As a coach, you're glad to be ahead, but you're not comfortable with a 20-point lead."

The Wildcats finally put away the Panthers with a 10-0 run in the third quarter. Leopold shot 57 percent (8 of 14) from the field in the third quarter.

"We all just worked together, set screens and moved the ball around today," Leopold freshman Kyle Stroder said.

The Wildcats rode David Fluchel and Anthony Seabaugh in the second half. The pair combined for 22 of their team's 32 second-half points. Seabaugh went 5 for 5 from the floor in the final 16 minutes.

Brown said the difference in Wednesday's game was Leopold's ability to hit its 3-pointers. The Wildcats connected on 46 percent (6 of 13) of their 3-pointers against the Panthers.

"They hit their 3-pointers unbelievable," Brown said. "They hit several of them and they didn't hit those the other games. They did well."

Brown wasn't pleased with the outcome, but he didn't sweat it. He knows he'll get another shot at the Wildcats.

"We get to play Leopold two more times at least," he said. "We're going to get another chance at them."

Leopold 22 16 17 15 -- 70

Meadow Hts 16 13 8 13 -- 50

LEOPOLD (70) -- Kyle Stroder 14, David Fluchel 18, Ryan Davis 3, John Bohnsack 14, Lance Seiler 8, Anthony Seabaugh 13. FG 28, FT 8-16, F 8. (3-pointers: Stroder 1, Bohnsack 3, Seiler 2. Fouled out: none)

MEADOW HEIGHTS (50) -- Adam Walker 8, Dustin Hubler 15, Daylan Davis 6, Trent Kiefer 2, Calen Buerck 6, Nick Webb 3, Trever Hotop 4, Dustin Doublin 2, Ethan Mayfield 2. FG 22, FT 4-6, F 14. (3-pointers: N. Webb 1, Hotop 1. Fouled out: none)