The Auburn Bulldogs closed the 2012-2013 regular season Friday night, Feb. 15, with a 51-56 loss to Johnson County Central (JCC) at Tecumseh.
The Bulldogs took a 3-17 record into the Monday, Feb. 18, Class C1-1 subdistrict game with Conestoga at Johnson-Brock High School. Johnson County Central took a 20-3 record to the Class C2-1 subdistrict at Syracuse, where it is the top seed.
Coach Roth’s Comments
Coach Bryce Roth said, “Friday was a frustrating loss, especially since we thought our guys fought so hard to put themselves in a position to win on the road. Defensively we got off to a good start by pressuring their guards, speeding them up and trying to keep them out of a half court game. JCC is probably one of the biggest teams in this part of the state and one of our keys of the game was to push the tempo and speed things up.
“We did a great job of getting out and running which led to some easy transition baskets as well. We took a seven-point lead coming in at half but we knew they were going to make a run and we had to come out with an even better effort and more intensity on the defensive and I thought we did that for the most part.
“We let them back into the game late in the third and to start the fourth because we simply did not manage possessions very well. We went through about seven straight possessions where we either took a quick three or turned the ball over. Against quality opponents you just can’t get away with that and win on the road.
“I am very proud of this team and this group of guys. Even though we didn’t come out of JCC with a W, I thought we gained some much needed confidence. I think that since Tyler Collin has returned from his injury that this is the best we have played together as a team. I know the guys are ready to make a run in districts and we’re just going to take it one game at a time and fight to stay alive.”
Three Bulldogs scored in double figures: Collin led with 15 points; Kamron Fender 14 and Caleb Nelson 10.
Also scoring for Auburn were: TJ Wynn, 7 points; Patrick Frary 3 and Easton Dauel 2.
Collin also led the Bulldogs in rebounds with 7. Nelson had 4; Dauel and Donavon Halfhill each had 2; and Fender and Frary had 1 apiece.
Collin had 6 assists to lead Auburn. Nelson added 3; while Dauel, Fender, Frary and Halfhill each had 1 assist.
Collin also led with 6 steals. Fender had 2; while Dauel, Nelson and Wynn each had 1.
Collin also blocked a shot.
Auburn shot 14-of-22 from two-point range; made 4-of-17 three-pointers; and shot 11-of-14 from the free throw line. JCC shot 12-of-21 from two-point range; made 5-of-10 from three-point range; and was 17-of-31 from the free throw line.
Auburn was outrebounded 17 to 19. The Bulldogs had 14 turnovers, compared to 16 for JCC.
Scoring by Quarters:
Auburn    30-0-11-10--51
JCC         23-0-14-19--56