Defense travels.
That’s the philosophy of veteran Dover High coach Bob Von Kaenel and his team certainly brought the "D" to Cambridge on Friday as the Tornadoes stormed out to a 19-0 first quarter lead en route to a 63-29 repeat victory over the Bobcats in East Central Ohio League play.
It was the second time this year that Dover (11-5, 8-3) pitched a shutout in the opening period as Cambridge also went scoreless to start the earlier match-up which the Tornadoes won, 46-30.
"Defensively, we’ve been getting better and better," said Von Kaenel. "Defense goes with you home or away and they’re buying into that more and more. Tonight, we also played well at the offensive end from the start.
"We’re also getting closer to full strength," the Tornadoes’ coach related, referring to the return to the lineup of senior Shemar Morton and the improving status of a couple of other regulars.
Dover’s first quarter onslaught featured a trio of three-point goals by sophomore Kade Ruegsegger, with the Tornadoes hitting 6-of-10 shots en route to the commanding 19-0 lead.
Cambridge struggled from the get-go with seven first period turnovers and managed only three shots at the rim during the entire eight minutes.
The Bobcats finally broke through with five of the first seven points of the second round, including a three-point play by senior Connor Aleshire, but the Tornadoes outscored the hosts 12-4 the rest of the way to extend their advantage to 33-9 at the intermission.
The visitors gained a 12-7 edge in the third chapter to push the lead to 45-16 and an 18-13 fourth quarter finish sealed the 34-point conquest.
First-year Cambridge coach Andy Slaughter was disappointed in his team’s lack of intensity at the start.
"Tonight we didn’t play with a lot of heart or passion," he said. "If you saw our game Tuesday and then watched us tonight, you would have thought it was 13 different kids out there. We have to do better job making sure we’re focused.
"Give a lot of credit to Dover," Slaughter continued. "They shot lights out in the first half and six of the shots they missed, they got the offensive rebound. We can’t allow their physicality to take over like that."
Ruegsegger finished with four "triples" for a 12-point game to lead the Tornadoes while senior Brandon Troyer and junior Kyler Folkert each tallied nine.
Dover cashed 23-of-44 field goal attempts; 8-of-15 three-pointers and 9-of-14 free throws while collecting 29 rebounds and nine turnovers. Senior Collin Whitman led the rebounders with six while Folkert and Ruegsegger each had four; Folkert contributed four assists and three steals.
For Cambridge (6-12, 5-7 ECOL), senior Connor Leppla tallied seven in the final period to finish as the game’s leading scorer with 13. Seniors Mason Long and Connor Aleshire closed with seven and five, respectively.
The ‘Cats managed just 28 field goal attempts, making just 10 including a 1-of-8 effort on "treys", and they were 8-of-11 at the charity stripe. CHS had 15 rebounds and 14 miscues. Leppla and Aleshire both had four caroms.
Containing Leppla and Aleshire were big for the Tornadoes, according to Von Kaenel.
"Sexton and Troyer are both versatile," he said. "If you need them to guard in the post, they can; and if you need them to guard the point-guard, they can, and tonight they did a nice job."
Dover now leads the all-time hoop series with Cambridge, 84-64.
NEXT — Cambridge is off until a Friday visit to Zanesville for another ECOL game, with JV action set for 6 p.m.