M. Suchy’s 29 points help Bulls avoid upset

Hereford finishes on 10-point run to hold off challenge by Wolverines

Hereford senior Mark Suchy scored a game-high 29 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter to rally the Bulls past upset-minded host Western Tech, 65-62.

Suchy was clutch in the third quarter when he helped the Bulls (12-6) during an 11-0 run that cut the Wolverines’47-35 lead to one, 47-46, at the break.

He was clutch in the fourth quarter when he helped the Bulls come back from a 62-55 deficit with 4:15 left.

Western Tech (3-14) had built the lead on the strength of 14 made 3-pointers, with Walter Carr (team-high 23 points) canning five of them.

But, after Tyler Cook (11 points) canned the Wolverines’ final 3-pointer of the night with 4:15 left, the Wolverines never scored again and the Bulls ended the game on a 10-0 run.

Suchy had eight of the final 10 points and he assisted Jack Callis for the other points.

“I was just trying to do what I had to do to make the team win,” Suchy said. “It’s tough coming in here, yea we know their record is not great, but they know we are 12-6, they know we beat Milford, they know we played Dulaney tough, so they are going to give us their best effort.”

Suchy hit a pair of short jumpers in the lane 27 seconds apart and the second one gave the Bulls a 63-62 lead with 1:12 left.

He added a pair of free throws in the final 30 seconds to salt away the victory.

“Teamwise, tonight, we had a very good shooting effort which is needed because we are not that big,” Western Tech coach Mike Slepesky said. “We don’t have the luxury of [Mark Suchy], their last four points were isolation plays and I give that kid a lot of credit because he had 29 points tonight, and I’ve seen him four years in a row and I’m glad to see him go.”

Hereford coach Jim Rhoads praised the way Suchy, who scored his 1,000th career point earlier this season, battled through a zone that collapsed on him every time he touched the ball in the paint.

“They did a good job in their zone, they swarmed Mark with three guys,” Rhoads said. “It’s tough to make plays like that.”

The coach also appreciated the work of sophomore guards Nick Louis (nine points) and Tyler Herkalo (five points)

“The key was we went small,” Rhoads said. “At the end of the third quarter, I took bigger guys out and brought in two other guards — Nick Louis and Tyler Herkalo — and they did a great job.”

Despite the loss, Slepesky liked the way promoted junior varsity players Alphonsus Koric (eight rebounds), Charles Neverdon (five points) and Donovan Leak contributed.

“Alphonsus was great on the boards,” said Slepesky, noting he had double digit rebounds in first varsity game. “I would love that from anybody.”

Leak started in the backcourt.

“He gave us added depth when they put the press on at one point, as well as just bring a calming presence bringing the ball up,” Slepesky said.