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3:20 AM Saturday, December 24, 2011

By John Bombatch

Staff Writer

ROSS TWP. — Put a team with scoring balance, tough defense and solid rebounding up against a team decimated by injuries without its leading scorer, and you’re going to get a recipe for ugly basketball.

The Ross High School Rams routed visiting Monroe 60-22 in Friday’s nonleague boys basketball game.

The Rams (5-1) never trailed. They rolled out to a 26-6 lead at halftime and then outscored the Hornets (1-5) 21-7 in the third quarter to put the game away. All but one player on the Ross starting roster scored. In the first half alone, Ross’s 6-foot-8 senior center Max Mischkulnig had more rebounds (10) than Monroe had points (six).

Meanwhile, Monroe’s leading scorer, Marc Hunt, was watching the contest on a pair of crutches. Hunt said he’d injured his knee during Wednesday’s practice. Monroe coach Casey Popplewell said before the game that he wasn’t sure whether Hunt would be able to return this season.

Also on the sidelines was Hornet teammate Taylor Larison, who was out with a broken hand. Popplewell said he hoped to have Larison back in the fold soon.

“Hopefully we got started in knowing what we have to do without Marc on the floor,” Popplewell said. “We lose 32 minutes of game time when he’s not playing, and Taylor probably played 24 minutes a game for us so far this season. That’s a lot of minutes that you’re trying to make-up for with kids who are not used to being out there.”

Gus Madden led the Rams with a game-high 13 points while Mischkulnig, Brennan McGuire, and Tyler Noonan each finished with eight points.

Cameron Coleman led Monroe with eight points.

Ross coach Matt Wilhelm said Monroe’s injuries were a factor in Friday’s lopsided score.

“It was a big reason. They lose a guy that they’ve counted on for a big chunk of their points. For a team to lose a player like that, that’s really tough on a team,” Wilhelm said. “I feel really bad for the kid. Hopefully he can get back to where he can play before the end of the season.”

Hunt said he would find out from a doctor sometime today whether he’d be able to return for this season.

Monroe will be back on the court on Tuesday at Talawanda. Ross returns to action a couple days later when it will travel to Finneytown.

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