Miller, Huntley cruise past Prairie Ridge
Troy Miller can beat you from beyond the arc or on a driving layup.
However you size it up Prairie Ridge couldn't contain the Huntley junior guard.
Scoring in a variety of ways, Miller delivered a 23-point effort with 3 assists as the Red Raiders cruised past PR 57-36 in Fox Valley Conference boys basketball crossover action in Crystal Lake Friday night.
"My shooting was off early in the game," said Miller. "Coach (Marty Manning) told me to drive to the basket. PR over helps on defense and I was able to get some easy baskets. Our defense was incredible in the first half. We pressured more tonight than we did the other night against Fremd. Our man-to-man defense didn't give PR many good shots in the first half."
Despite making only 4-of-12 shots to open the game, the Red Raiders (6-1) were able to get off to a 12-0 lead.
Three-pointers from Tyler Brunschon and Miller along with a pair of layups from Bryce Only keyed the Red Raiders' early surge.
PR (1-6), which missed its first 8 shots, didn't score until 2:02 remained in the first quarter on a putback from Shane Cullian to make the score 12-2.
Leading 14-4 after one quarter, Huntley opened the gap to 14, 26-12, at halftime on a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Miller.
During the first 16 minutes, PR managed only 4 baskets in 20 attempts for 20 percent.
"Our defense in the first half was excellent," said Huntley coach Marty Manning. "We did a good job of not letting PR get good shots. We were very aggressive on the defensive end."
Huntley ensured there wouldn't be a Wolves' second-half rally by scoring the first 6 points. A layup by Miller gave the Red Raiders a 34-12 advantage with 6:22 left in the third quarter.
The Red Raiders hit the boards hard, outrebounding PR 40-28. Of Huntley's 40 rebounds 18 were off the offensive glass.
"We did some good things, but we didn't make enough shots and we were killed on the offensive glass," said Prairie Ridge coach Corky Card. "They aren't really that big, but they do a great job of getting the ball. They really rebound the ball well."
Brunschon backed Miller with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Only (6 points) and Justin Frederick (4 points) both garnered 10 rebounds.
Mac Curtis paced the Wolves with 8 points.