Scioto impressive in win over Alder, needs consistency

By CHRIS MILES
Published: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 5:06 PM EST
If Dublin Scioto boys basketball coach Tony Bisutti could somehow take the way his team played Jan. 31, against visiting Jonathan Alder, bottle it up and break it out whenever his team played, he would be a very happy man.

His Irish (9-7, 5-6) team put together what was by far the best game it's played this season, and perhaps the best one its played in a couple years.

Focused on defense and opportunistic on the other end of the floor, Scioto surprised the visiting Pioneers and earned an impressive 58-37 victory. Alder entered the game with a perfect 13-0 record.

"The defensive end is where we got things going," Bisutti said. "Our guys did a great job of executing the game plan.

"What you saw there is what we're capable of doing. The problem is we're just struggling with that consistency, we didn't have it Friday night."

After the big win over the Pioneers, the Irish were unable to take a step forward as they fell 62-50 against Westerville Central Friday, Feb. 3.

"I think we're still trying to mature as a team," Bisutti said. "Physically most of the teams we're playing are bigger and stronger than us right now."

The Irish have won games this season against Alder, which is ranked in the Top 10 in the state in D-II, and Westerville North, which figures to be one of the top seeds in the district this year.

In the win over Alder, Antonio Bisutti led the way offensively by scoring 18 points. Ryan Duncan was close behind with 16 and Josh Ashwill finished in double figures with 11.

Only Duncan (18) could reach the double-figure plateau in the loss to Central.

The district's coaches will get together Sunday, Feb. 12, and fill in the D-I district tournament bracket.

Despite his team's record hovering around the .500 mark, Bisutti believes that there are teams that will be seeded high that won't want to see the Irish on the opposite line.

"I think we're viewed as a dangerous team," he said. "I think we have solid respect from the other coaches.

"We've shown that we can beat anybody, especially when we're shooting it well and playing defense. I think we are dangerous and I hope we can ruin somebody's season."

Scioto was scheduled to host undefeated Olentangy Liberty Tuesday, Feb. 7, and will travel to Dublin Jerome Friday, Feb. 10 (7:30 p.m.).