Senior scores 15 in first start as Central Catholic handles Findlay
1/23/2013Central Catholic guard D.J. Moody was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season when the Irish faced Findlay in a Three Rivers Athletic Conference contest Tuesday night.
The 5-foot-7 senior appeared rather comfortable in that role, helping the Irish to a commanding 63-42 victory.
Moody made the most of the opportunity. He scored a game-high 15 points, including a key four-point play late in the first quarter. Moody's 3 and foul shot gave Central (9-2, 5-2 TRAC) a 12-7 lead and began an 11-2 run.
"I was just happy to come and give the team another spark," Moody said. "Even though I normally come off the bench, it was still good to help my team win."
Moody's addition to the starting lineup wasn't an attempt to mix things up after Central's recent 68-56 defeat at St. John's Jesuit. He was moved into the starting unit in place of senior Keith Towbridge, who missed a couple practices after recently making a visit to the University of Louisville, where he’s committed to play football.
The lineup change didn't have an adverse affect on the Irish, who looked to rebound from recent losses to St. John's and Whitmer.
Central coach Jim Welling admitted he wasn't sure how the Irish would play against the Trojans (8-5, 5-2 TRAC).
"Defensively, we were really good," Welling said. "We had a lot more energy. I thought we had a real good focus the last two days of practice. To our guys’ credit, after Friday night, we didn't know how our guys would respond.
"Practices had been a little difficult the last couple days, but I think our guys responded."
Nate Harris also scored in double figures for the Irish, pouring in eight of his 12 points after halftime. DeShone Kizer added seven points and dished out a team-leading eight assists in a contest Central led by double digits for most of the game.
Towbridge came off the bench, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, and scored five points in a game the Irish led by as much as 30 in the fourth quarter.
"I really thought we played solid team basketball," Welling said. "It's been a long time coming. We've been sputtering here on both ends of the floor. That looked more like Irish basketball."
Duke Gobrecht led Findlay with eight points, while Austin Gutting and Adam Twining chipped in seven points each.
"They just came out and outworked us," he said. "I thought they outhustled us and outworked us. They got the loose balls, and they came out and hit their shots, too."
Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com, 419-724-6302 or on Twitter @DemmonsBlade