PLAINFIELD — A new era of Plainfield boys’ basketball tipped off Friday, as the Quakers and first-year coach Clay Bolser took on county-rival Avon before an energetic home crowd.
But this night belonged to the visitors.
The Orioles used a 29-point fourth-quarter explosion to break open what was a single-digit game, and cruise to a 65-32 victory.
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Austin Burgett led Avon (1-0) with 17 points. Juan Sarver added 16 points — including 12 in the second half.
“I thought it was opening-game jitters for our guys in the first half,” Avon coach Jason Young said. “We had way too many turnovers, but I thought our defensive pressure was a lot better in the second half. Our defense created some offense for us.”
Zach Cox scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed six rebounds for Plainfield (1-1). The Quakers played without top scorer Chris Page, who sat out with an ankle injury.
“I thought they really picked up their intensity, but we did not match it,” Bolser said. “We just played our guts out for three quarters, then all of a sudden they turned it on. We got content with the fact that we were close and in the game.”
Avon opened the contest with eight unanswered points. Cox put Plainfield on the board with a three-pointer that cut the deficit to 8-3 with 4:55 to play in the period.
The Orioles led 12-7 after one and remained in front throughout the second quarter, but Corey Brackney nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer just before halftime to pull the Quakers to within 23-19 at the break.
Avon got off to a hot start in the second half, scoring seven unanswered points. Sarver capped the run with a strong move to the hoop for a score. Plainfield responded, and slashed the lead to single digits — 34-26 — when Alec Smith banked in a lay-up just before the end of the quarter.
The Quakers remained within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter.
Before the game, Bolser told his team that Avon will surely make a run at some point.
That’s exactly what happened.
The Orioles went on a 20-1 run midway through the fourth quarter to tighten their grip on the contest.
Sarver scored seven points during that span.
“Juan is a very talented basketball player,” Young said. “When he plays well, we play very well.”
The Oriole defense limited the Quakers to two field goals on 2-of-12 shooting in the final quarter.
“We got a little timid with everything and settled for some shots,” Bolser said. “That contributed to their transition points. They were quicker and more athletic.”
Plainfield looks to rebound Friday, when it hosts Whiteland at 7:30 p.m.
Avon is also in action Friday, taking on Danville at 7:30 p.m. at home.
kevin.leibrock@flyergroup.com
