Boys Basketball: Moline too much for Hampshire at DeKalb tourney

Updated: December 22, 2011 6:47PM

The Hampshire Whip-Purs have struggled finishing games most of this season. On Thursday, it was a slow start that did them in as they fell to Moline 50-36 in the first round of pool play at the 84th Chuck Dayton Holiday Tournament at DeKalb.

The Maroons (10-1) showed Thursday why they are one of the best teams in the state. Moline led 18-6 after the first quarter with all the points coming from three-point range. Hampshire (2-7) shot only 22 percent in the quarter. In between quarters Hampshire coach Bob Barnett could be heard telling his team to keep shooting because they would eventually start to fall.

The Whip-Purs never really got it going from the perimeter so they decided to feed it inside, and had some success giving the ball to senior Tyler Watzlawick. Hampshire pulled to within six points before Moline sharp-shooter Anthony Lindauer took over the game. Lindauer hit five three-pointers in a row to extend the lead to 32-16 at the half. Moline as a team had 11 three-pointers in the half.

Lindauer’s success was not a surprise to Hampshire as they knew stopping the senior would be key to getting a victory.

“Lindauer is such a smart player,” said Barnett. “He’s such a great passer and shooter and is tough to stop.”

The Moline star led all scorers with 34 points.

Hampshire did make some adjustments at halftime and picked up its defensive intensity in the second half, but was plagued by turnovers and missed shots.

“We are still too sloppy with the ball,” said Barnett. “We are making way too many mental mistakes that we need to stop.”

The Whip-Purs did cut the lead to seven with under five minutes to go, but the Maroons were able to get the ball to Lindauer, who converted 9-of-9 from the free-throw line to ice the game.

Hampshire was led by Watzlawick, who scored 13 points. Brock Ralphs and Shane Hernandez each added six points for the Whip-Purs.

Pool play will continue on Friday when Hampshire will face the host Barbs.

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