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Kyler’s career night lifts Sheffield to first win of season over county rival Youngsville

Sheffield’s Matt Dunham puts the finishing touches on a win with a breakaway layup during the fourth quarter of a game against Youngsville at Sheffield High School, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. Dunham had eight points to help lead Sheffield to a 58-45 win, the Wolverines’ first of the season.

Walker Kyler’s career night and an 11-0 run over the second and third quarters helped give Sheffield its first win of the season as they defeated cross-county rival Youngsville, 58-45, in the Sheffield Holiday Tournament Consolation Game Thursday.

Youngsville schemed to leave Kyler as the open shooter and the sophomore took advantage, shooting 9-of-16 from the floor with three 3-pointers.

“We always knew he was the type of player (who could score),” Sheffield coach Mike Knapp said. “We noticed they were leaving him alone and I told him to take his shot.”

Defensively, Youngsville coach Jesse DeLoof game-planned to put extra coverage on the trio of Cale Albaugh, Matt Dunham and Tyler Hepinger and take the chance of leaving Kyler alone.

“We were trying to pick our poison,” DeLoof said. “Credit to him, he capitalized.”

Youngsville’s Brady Olewine (43) shoots a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Sheffield’s Braydn Camp during their game at Sheffield High School, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017.

It was the Eagles who capitalized early in the game. Back-to-back threes from Brady Olewine and Austin Peterson, then a third from Timber Bower a minute later put Youngsville ahead 11-2 with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter.

“Olewine’s been working hard,” DeLoof said. “He’s got a nice shot. He’s starting to see the whole game and it’s slowing down for him.”

Sheffield found the answer late in the frame. Albaugh sandwiched a pair of 3’s around layups from Luke Davidson and Kyler to give the Wolverines a 12-11 edge. Olewine banked home a deep three at the buzzer to pull even, 14-14, after the first eight minutes.

“We were asleep at the wheel a bit,” Knapp said. “I called timeout and told the kids they need to pull themselves out of it and they did.”

Kyler hit a pair of corner threes to start the second quarter and give Sheffield a 20-14 lead.

Youngsville’s Gage Hendrickson (left) blocks the shot attempt of Sheffield’s Walker Kyler during their game at Sheffield High School, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. Hendrickson had a double-double in the game with 17 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Kyler’s 21 points led Sheffield to a 58-45 win.

The Eagles answered with an 8-0 run courtesy of Gage Hendrickson. The sophomore hit a three, banked in a layup and hit another three to put Youngsville back on top, 22-20.

Hepinger connected from behind the arc and Kyler had a nice drive for a layup to give the Wolverines a 25-22 advantage at the half.

Kyler hit two field goals and Dunham a third to open the second half, pushing the Sheffield lead to 31-22.

Much like their opening game of the tournament, Youngsville suddenly went cold from the field in the second half. The Eagles didn’t register their first points until Hendrickson hit a jumper with just under three minutes to go in the frame.

“The lull after we got the lead, that’s our biggest issue,” DeLoof said. “We were 4-of-4 from three to start and kind of fell in love with it. We need to keep working on high percentage shots and stay aggressive down low.”

Hepinger answered the Youngsville field goal with a three before Kyler and Bower traded 3’s of their own. Kyler tried to hit a late three and missed, but Dunham banked in the put-back as the horn sounded to give the Wolverines a 40-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Youngsville had cut it to a 10-point lead early in the fourth, but a questionable blocking foul against the Eagles led to a technical. Albaugh knocked down both free throws to push the lead back to 12. The Eagles got to within eight, 48-40, with four minutes to go, but Sheffield slammed the door on the comeback to come away with the win.

“We prepared hard for this game,” Knapp said.

DeLoof said the offensive inconsistency is a “tendency of the youth” on his team, but he’s “willing to take these lumps” with them because of their effort and desire to improve.

Albaugh was the only other Wolverine in double figures scoring with 12 points. He also had five rebounds. Hepinger added nine points and six rebounds.

Hendrickson had a double-double for the Eagles with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Olewine had 11 points and two rebounds.

– – –

YOUNGSVILLE (45)

Mack 0-0-0-0, Peterson 1-2-2-5, Hendrickson 7-1-1-17, Myers 1-1-2-3, Olewine 4-0-0-11, Bower 2-0-0-6, Procter 1-0-2-3, Ecelberger 0-0-0-0, Mercado 0-0-0-0, Dell 0-0-0-0, Wilson 0-0-0-0

SHEFFIELD (58)

C. Albaugh 2-6-7-12, Dunham 4-0-0-8, Davidson 3-0-3-6, Hepinger 3-1-2-9, Kyler 9-0-0-21, Laufenberger 0-0-0-0, McNeal 0-0-0-0, Filegar 0-0-0-0, Camp 1-0-0-2, Benson 0-0-0-0, Vinopal 0-0-0-0, N. Albaugh 0-0-0-0

By Quarters

Youngsville 14 8 5 18 – 45

Sheffield 14 11

15 18 – 58

Three-point FGs: Youngsville (9) – Olewine (3), Hendrickson (2), Bower (2), Procter, Peterson; Sheffield (7) – Kyler (3), C. Albaugh (2), Hepinger (2)

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