Niemczyk's impressive second quarter carries Bell City

~ Bell City downed Saxony Lutheran 81-66 in the Heartland Hoopfest on Saturday.

PERRYVILLE -- Bell City point guard Ethan Watkins is glad for two reasons to be back playing high school basketball.

Watkins, who had to sit out for one year because of his transfer from Scott City, said it was a difficult time for him not only because of his passion for the game, but also because he was eager to play in some live game action with Cubs guard Nick Niemczyk.

"He's the best player I've ever played with," Watkins said. "If he's open, it is going in. There is no question about it.

"I wanted to get out there pretty bad [with him], especially practicing every day and playing with him. It made me really antsy."

Bell City's Nick Niemczyk pulled up for a shot after driving past Saxony defender Max Wieser during Saturday's game in Perryville. (Kit Doyle)

Niemczyk again proved that he is an exciting teammate and that he can heat up just about any time he desires when the Cubs met Saxony Lutheran on Saturday at the Heartland Hoopfest at the Perry Park Center.

With the Cubs and Crusaders knotted 14-14 after the first quarter, the 6-foot-1 Niemczyk poured in 15 points in the second quarter alone as Bell City outscored Saxony 30-22.

From there, the Cubs held on for an 81-66 win, improving to 8-0. The Crusaders dropped to 4-2.

Niemczyk led his team with 27 points.

Bell City's Phillip Gross (22 points) and Watkins (17 points), who was playing in his second game back, after playing some early in the week against Bernie, also had strong performances for the Cubs. Watkins was able to transfer to Bell City from Scott City because his mother is a teacher at the school.

Bell City's Marty Dames defended Saxony senior Ben Courtois.

Niemczyk said Cubs coach Brian Brandtner was upset with his players in between the first and second quarters. He knew he needed to pick up his game.

"It was aggravating," he said, discussing the first quarter. "We just tried to get ahead of them, but we couldn't pull away, so I just tried to do whatever I could."

Niemczyk was able to extend the Cubs' lead in the second, when he hit back-to-back field goals to put his team up 28-21 with 4 minutes, 38 seconds remaining. He also drove in for a basket soon after that to give his team a 10-point cushion at 38-28.

The senior hit one 3-pointer, four 2-pointers and was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the second quarter.

"He makes plays," Saxony junior Bret Steffens said of Niemczyk. "He can do it off the dribble; he can catch it and shoot it. He does it every way. You can't really stop him. You've got to kind of hold him in check.

"We stuck with them for a while, but they made more plays."

Steffens had a game-high 33 points, including converting 19-of-24 free throws for a tournament record.

Niemczyk said he is glad to have Watkins in the lineup. He's also been itching for some time now to play with Watkins in games.

"It makes my job so much easier," Niemczyk said. "He gives me a lot of open looks and is just real helpful. He's also a really a good defender for us, and he's smart."

Bell City 14 30 14 23 -- 81

Saxony 14 22 13 17 -- 66

Bell City (81) -- Ethan Watkins 17, Nick Niemczyk 27, Josh Abner 3, Phillip Gross 22, Ronnie Gross, 1, Marty Dames 4, Austin Bush 3, Skylor Blacker, 4. FG 26, FT 21-28 F 30 (3-pointers: Watkins 3, Niemzcyk 3 Abner 1, Bush 1. Fouled out: Watkins)

Saxony Lutheran (66) -- Garrett Ruppel 2, Zach Bohnert 17, Bret Steffens 33, Max Wieser 7, Ben Courtois 4, Austin Kwikkel 3. FG, 18 FT, 30-45 F 22 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)