Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

During the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first season in the NFL, the team went winless. A reporter asked coach John Robinson how he felt about the execution of his offense.

Robinson replied, “I’m all for it.”

St. Joseph Flyers’ head coach Jeremy Williams wasn’t feeling that desperate as his winless team hosts the Portsmouth Clay Panthers Tuesday. He took a corrective approach and it work as the Flyers posted a 53-46 win.

“We executed better on offense. We still need to get more shots, but this is a good start to build on,” said Williams.

Justin Mahlmeister led the Flyers with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Eli Lewis had 12 and 6 rebounds and Joseph Payton had 5 steals.

Michael Schmidt had 21 points and 4 steals to lead Clay (2-3).

Lewis scored 4 points in the first quarter as St. Joseph took a 10-6 lead.

Mahlmeister scored 5 points in the second quarter as the lead grew to 22-15 at the half.

The Flyers outscored the Panthers 16-14 in the third quarter as Mahlmeister scored 8 points.

Mahlemeister and Troy Scott combined for 11 points in the fourth quarter to offset 9 points by Schmidt.

“This was Troy’s first game. It was nice to have him back. He gives us some offense,” said Williams.

St. Joseph visits Rock Hill on Saturday.

Ports. Clay 6 9 14 17 = 46

St. Joseph 10 12 16 15 = 53

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (2-3): Aaron Phipps 0 0 0-0 0, Conner Phipps 0 1 0-0 3, Zack Phillips 0 1 0-0 3, Tony Whitt 1 1 0-0 5, Eldin Sarajlic 2 0 0-0 4, Mark Shaffer 1 0 0-0 2, Michael Schmidt 8 0 5-8 21, Mason Phelphrey 1 2 0-1 8, Jacob Crosier 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-37 5-9 46. 3-point goals: 5-10. Rebounds: 16 (Sarajlic 5, Phelphrey 4). Assists: 9. Steals: 4 (Schmidt 4). Turnovers: 20. Blocked shots: 1 (Schmidt). Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Phelphrey.

ST. JOSEPH (1-3): Hunter Pemberton 0 2 0-0 6, Grant Geswein 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Lewis 1 0 0-0 2, Troy Scott 3 0 3-3 9, Eli Lewis 6 0 0-0 12, Joseph Payton 0 0 2-4 2, Justin Mahlmeister 3 4 4-7 22. Totals: 19-43 9-14 53. 3-point goals: 6-18. Rebounds: 24 (Mahlemister 12, E. Lewis 6). Assists: 13 (Mahlmeister 6). Steals: 14 (Payton 5). Turnovers: 14. Blocked shots: 3 (E. Lewis 2). Fouls: 13 Fouled out: E. Lewis.