GRANBY — Granby built a 10-point lead before the Mohawk Trail Regional boys basketball team broke a sweat. The Rams never looked back following that opening run as they won, 60-37, Monday.
They forced turnovers with their pressure and played a majority of their offense in the fast break.
“Our two point guards are new this year, so we’re working through it,” Mohawk coach Darren Schmidt said. Granby’s coach “really gets them going. They have rim-to-rim defense. Guys are up in your face.”
The Warriors didn’t score a basket until Jackson Hicks put back an offensive rebound 2 minutes, 50 seconds into the game. Mohawk pulled as close as five before the Rams turned on the afterburners. Mohawk didn’t score double-digit points in any of the first three quarters as Granby led 51-20 entering the fourth.
“We didn’t meet their effort,” Schmidt said.
Mohawk found its footing in the fourth. Big man Owen Cross provided an anchor in the post. He scored 10 of his game-high 12 points in the final frame.
“It took him a little bit too long. Last game against Monson he stepped up a little earlier,” Schmidt said. “This game, unfortunately, it took him three quarters to get going.”
Cross scored 15 in a loss to the Mustangs. Hicks also reached double-figures with 10 points.
It’s been an up-and-down start for Schmidt in his first year at the helm at his alma mater. The Warriors have lost three of their first four games and averaged 40.3 points per game. They gave up 70 against Mohawk and 60 to the Rams.
“We’re looking at improvements across all facets. We allowed 60 points tonight, which is an improvement on 70, but we’ve got to get better at defense,” Schmidt said. “Offensively, we’ve got to put more points on the board. You’re not going to win many games when you score 37 points.”
Though Schmidt is familiar with the school, it’s a new group of players for him. He’s still learning about them, and they’re still adjusting to him and his style.
“I’m excited to be back,” Schmidt said. “I haven’t worked with them before. It’s a new year for everybody. We’re trying to get better together.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.