Sophomore Wyatt Flynn scored a career-high 22 points to lead Independence to a 57-39 win over visiting Berkshire on Tuesday.
Flynn scored 16 points in the first half as the Blue Devils jumped out to a 32-12 lead and never looked back.
“I thought we played really well in the first half,” said Independence coach Hugh McMahon. “We came out with a lot of intensity, shared the ball, put the ball on the block. Our big guy, Wyatt Flynn, had 16 in the first half, and we defended extremely well and contested every shot.”
The Blue Devils, who improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division, got off to a quick start by outscoring the Badgers, 18-5, in the first quarter.
Berkshire edged Independence in the second half, 27-25, but the damage had been done.
“We kind of coasted a little bit in the second half,” McMahon said. “That’s one of the things we have to work on, playing a full 32 minutes and keeping our intensity up. The effort overall was there.”
Flynn scored 15 points in Independence’s overtime win against Cardinal on Friday and led the Blue Devils in scoring for the first time this season against the Badgers.
“The seniors recognize his upside so they were trying to get him the ball,” McMahon said. “We had a distinct height advantage and he really went strong at times. As a sophomore, sometimes he has his ups and his downs so he’s got to keep going strong all the time. We recognized that matchup and the seniors did a great job getting him the ball.”
Andrew Teribery contributed with 14 points for the Blue Devils while Jack Ksiazka and Kyle Stefanski both pitched in with eight. Jamie McMahon added five points.
Tim Pillot led Berkshire with 10.
“I thought the effort was really good considering it was finals week,” Coach McMahon said. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep your focus and come out ready to play. There weren’t a lot of kids in the stands because they were off studying for finals. I’m really proud of our guys and we’re looking forward to getting back to practice to get ready for Friday night.”
Independence hosts Kirtland on Friday.
