Blue Devils blast Bengals
~February 5, 2008~
Story and photos by Micahel Orr

Dreher's Sylvester McCrae outreaches Blythewood's Charles Sanders for the opening tip- off.

Relentlessly pounding the ball inside and playing tough defense, the Dreher Blue Devils broke out of a slump and defeated the visiting Blythewood Bengals on February 5. Case Stiglbauer scored 21 and Kenneth Joyner added 12 well- earned points to lead Dreher to a 64- 47 victory.

The first quarter was a high scoring affair as each team found points easy to come by. Dreher opened the game with two quick lay ups, but Blythewood answered right back. Driving and slashing into the Dreher 2- 3 zone, Blythewood's smaller lineup attacked the middle of the zone, opening up opportunities for short jump shots and easy inside lay ups. The Bengals had no one star in the quarter as eight players scored the team's 20 points. Dreher trailed by four after one.

Dreher scored the first seven points of the second quarter, jumping out to a small lead. Stiglbauer began to assert his presence inside with six points in the second, often simply shooting over his overmatched opponents. Blythewood struggled mightily in the quarter, turning the ball over numerous times and showing signs of frustration. The Dreher zone worked to perfection as the Bengals could neither get inside nor make any of their outside attempts. The Blue Devils led 36- 28 at halftime.

Dreher's Case Stiglbauer Shoots Over Blythewood's Kelvin Warr.

Blythewood's size differential was highlighted in the third quarter as Stiglbauer controlled the game, scoring eight of Dreher's ten points. Unable to solve the Dreher zone or to successfully rebound, the Bengals had little answer for the huge size advantage of the Blue Devil frontcourt. DeAndris Saunders was able to provide life for Blythewood late in the quarter in two fast break lay-ups, the first of the game for the Bengals. But Dreher led by ten, 46- 36, entering the final quarter.

Despite ratcheting up their defensive pressure and employing a relatively successful press, Blythewood simply could not make a dent into the Dreher lead. Any basket that they scored was immediately answered by at least one by the Blue Devils. Dreher's Chris Brown hit outside shots to add seven points in the fourth and the rest of the Dreher points came with bruising efficiency inside. Dreher powered through the final minutes to sweep the season series, winning by 17.

Dreher finishes the 2007- 2008 regular season by hosting A.C. Flora on February 8. The team's played an exciting and close game in their first meeting with Dreher eking out a 46- 44 win on January 11.