Brenner leads Port Clinton to win over Woodmore on road
ELMORE - Port Clinton established a double-digit advantage after the first quarter Tuesday and four Redskins reached at least 11 points in a 65-54 non-conference victory over Woodmore.
“I was really pleased with the unselfish basketball in the first half,” Port Clinton coach Von Graffin said. “Sixteen minutes of sharing the ball with a lot of guys scoring.”
Kaleb Mizener and Joey Brenner scored six points apiece in the first quarter as the Redskins led 24-11. Brenner finished with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
“When we get Joe Brenner touches … he’s improved his body nd his body control,” Graffin said. “He got a few quick fouls that put him on the bench.”
Brenner characterized it as the best week of practice he’s had with a team for the Redskins. Any sport.
“There’s a change in the culture and the whole mentality of the program,” Brenner said. “We’re focused on the little things and fundamentals and defense. The effort and focus and intensity were there all week leading up to (Tuesday).”
Max Rumbarger had 13 points in his first start for Port Clinton (1-0). Mizener and Skyler Cook added 11 points apiece.
“Max is a tremendous point guard,” Graffin said. “His decision-making will get better as he plays more. The game is fast at the varsity level. He’s aggressive and he can score when he needs to attacking.”
Cook had five assists and Mizener had four steals. Darius Daniels had nine rebounds and four assists.
JT Atkin led Woodmore with 18 points.
“We came out slow,” Wildcats coach Aaron Clouse said. “We knew we had some matchup issues with them and we wanted to take away the middle. They hit some shots and forced us man-to-man early. We fought back in the second half and got better at shutting the drive off, fronting the post and rebounding.”
Mitchell Miller added 14 points for Woodmore.
“We knew they wouldn’t go away,” Graffin said. “The Miller kid is as good a player as we’ll see in the area.”
Stat book: Port Clinton (Kaleb Mizener 11, Max Rumbarger 13, Darius Daniels 7, Skyler Cook 11, Dean Colston 4, Joey Brenner 19); Woodmore (Sam Barbee 4, Kevin Paul 2, Derek Wank 7, Mitchell Miller 14, Corey Swisher 3, JT Atkin 18, Mikey Blausey 6).
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