By Jeanne Sager
JEFFERSONVILLE — December 18, 2001 – The newly-formed Sullivan West boys’ basketball team is quickly becoming a formidable opponent.
The Bulldogs (3-1) posted their third straight win last Friday night in a non-league game against the Yellowjackets of Eldred (0-3). SW defeated the visitors, 68-39.
The Bulldogs opened up to an early lead in the first period, with Mike Ahnstrom making up for both teams’ missed shots with a strong presence under the basket.
Ahnstrom racked up eight of his game-total 14 points in the first period, putting the Bulldogs on top 17-6.
SW continued to dominate under the basket, forcing the Yellowjackets to take tough shots which the visitors often missed.
The Bulldogs responded well, grabbing the missed shots and heading back up the court to score. They were led in the second period by Emmanuel Toledo who posted six of his 10 points in that period.
Fighting the shot clock as well as the Bulldogs’ tough defense, the Yellowjackets were forced to turn the ball over to their opponents throughout the second half.
The Bulldogs managed to hold the shooting power of Eldred’s Tim Gutman, Jim Nieke and Warren Ritter to nothing for more than five minutes of the third period.
The trio was able to post just three points each, bringing Eldred’s total to 26 points at the end of the third quarter. (SW had 56 on the scoreboard at the end of three quarters of play.)
With a number of SW’s substitutes on the court during the last quarter, play slowed down with Eldred holding the Bulldogs to just 11 more points.
The Yellowjackets’ offense opened up to add 13 points to the board, including a three-point shot sunk by Gutman with just 37 seconds left on the clock.
Said Eldred Coach Charlie Donnelly, “[Sullivan West] executed very well.
“Their size was really just too much for us to handle; I think they did a great job and they’re going to have a great season.”
Donnelly noted that all of his players played well during the game.
Gutman and Anthony Magiameli each posted eight points to lead the team. Ritter and John Martin added six points apiece. Nieke contributed five more points to the Yellowjackets’ score.
“I think they all tried very hard,” said Donnelly.
SW Co-Coach Rick Ellison noted that the game was a chance for the Bulldogs to take advantage of their different presses.
“We’ve really been wanting to utilize our press, and tonight we did,” he said.
The game was also a chance for fans to catch a first glimpse of some boys who haven’t posted much playing time this year.
According to Ellison, Matt Karkos played especially well, standing in for the team’s regular point guard and scoring six of the team’s points.
Ellison also credited Ahnstrom and Toledo for leading the team in points.
Also contributing to Friday’s win were Justin Pinkel and Matthew Parks with seven points each, followed by Jon Fanning and Evan Kraack with six points each.