Jared Jeffries had 27 points and 15 rebounds to lead Bloomington North to a 73-47 win over Bluffton Saturday night at North's gym.
The Cougars (16-0) built an early 11-2 lead, but the Tigers rallied to close within 16-12 on a backdoor basket by Nik Pearson with 1:54 left in the first quarter. Bluffton was still close at 21-17 on an eight-footer by reserve guard Kaine Kinsey with 7:37 left in the half. That's when North went on a decisive 19-0 run. Jeffries, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, scored 10 of his game-high total during that run. By halftime the Cougars led 40-18.
North just kept building the lead in the second half. It reached 38 points twice before Cougar coach Tom McKinney went to his bench wih 3:18 left in the game.
Despite another easy victory for North, McKinney felt it wasn't an especially aesthetic contest.
"The game did not have any continuity," McKinney said. "We'd have a spurt and then drop off a bit. That happened again and again.
"Jeffries played pretty well tonight. He shot it pretty well."
Jeffries also had three blocked shots, three assists and a steal. He made 11 of 17 from the field (65) percent, made 2 of 3 from behind the arc and all three of his free throws.
Before the game Jeffries received a certificate from McDonald's for being named to the fast-food chain's prep all-America team. Jeffries will play in the McDonald's all-star game at the Fleet Center in Boston March 29 at 8 p.m. He's also been named to the NABC all-America game which will be played April 2 at Canseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is being held in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four and college coaches' convention.
Sean May, a 6-8, 250-pound sophomore forward, added 12 points for the Cougars. Mike Bridgwaters and Kelvin Boatner evenly split 16.
Bluffton actually shot better than North. The Tigers made 52 percent of their shots, while the Cougars shot 44 percent. North did make 12 of 13 from the line.
The Tigers (7-9) were led by Kinsey with 15 points. Josh Crist added seven.
"We had a decent weekend," McKinney said. "But I'm not pleased with us giving up 14 points in the last three minutes. We gave up some open shots and we need to have pride in our defense for 32 minutes.
"Bluffton played hard. They did a nice job driving to the basket and taking it to our big guys."
May and Bridgwaters each stayed in foul trouble as they helped on those drives.
"Kinsey did an especially good job when he came into the game," McKinney said. "Our guards did not do a real good job of keeping the ball on the perimeter."
The Cougars turn their attention next to a showdown with Indianapolis Pike next Friday night.
"Now we have to get ready for a big conference ballgame with Pike," McKinneys aid. "We can't be sloppy handling the ball. We must clean up little things."
North won the JV game 60-29.
BLUFFTON (47) -- Kaine Kinsey 15, Josh Crist 7, James King 6, Nik Pearson 6, Tyler White 5, Trent White 3, Jared Beaty 3, Bryan Steffen 2.
BLOOMINGTON NORTH (73) -- Jared Jeffries 27, Sean May 12, Mike Bridgwaters 8, Kelvin Boatner 8, Matt Kalua 7, Errek Suhr 5, Clay Ludlow 4, Josh Girvin 2, Scott May 0, Dan Christy 0, Mike Davis 0, Danta Horton 0.
© 2000 dbulla@indiana.edu