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Carlisle runs win streak to nine

Visiting Indians defeat Madison 70-62 in overtime.

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1:50 AM Saturday, January 28, 2012

By Rick Cassano

Staff Writer

MADISON TWP. — Toughness had a face Friday night, and Michael Kruse was wearing it.

With stitches in his lip and a mouthpiece in place after getting hit with an errant elbow in practice Wednesday, a blow that led to reconstructive dental work, the Carlisle High School senior guard blocked out the pain and directed the Indians to their ninth straight boys basketball victory.

“You forget about it once the game gets going,” Kruse said after his 17 points and eight rebounds helped sink host Madison 70-62 in overtime. “It hurts now, but it was all worth it for sure.”

Kruse converted 5-of-6 free throws in OT after his jumper at the end of regulation went in and out of the hoop, seemingly pushed out by an invisible Mohawk.

Jon Back’s three-point play in the first six seconds of overtime boosted the Indians, and they led the rest of the way.

Tyler Dean (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Back (13 points, six boards) were among the standouts as Carlisle improved to 10-4 overall and 7-2 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division. The Indians are percentage points behind Buckeye leader Waynesville (6-1).

“We’re in the hunt going into February. What more can you ask for?” Carlisle coach Jeff Waugh said. “The thing about this winning streak is that our team has exhibited a lot of mental toughness. It’s the mind-set of the seniors that are leading us.

“We knew in November that we were doing the right things,” he continued. “Basketball is not a game of instant gratification. You’ve got to continue to put the work in, and these guys have. I’m excited for their success.”

The Indians got solid contributions from all seven players that saw action. Andrew Goodpaster, Evan Helton, Nick Burton and Adam Lemaster combined for 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Carlisle forged a 38-27 halftime advantage. The Mohawks (6-8, 2-5) unleashed a spirited rally before their losing streak grew to six.

“We knew it was going to be a war,” Kruse said. “I just felt like we were going to gut it out. It’s like when we were 1-4. You’re either going to keep losing or you’re going to come together as a team and start winning. We came together.”

Injuries have hampered Madison most of the season. With the return Friday of sophomore forward Kyle Shouse (arthroscopic knee surgery), Mohawks coach Jeff Smith had all of his players available for the first time since Dec. 13.

Joey Adleta racked up 24 points and 14 rebounds for Madison, which made 11-of-14 free throws (Carlisle was 18-of-25). Jeff Clemons had 14 points and 10 boards, Brad Green scored nine points, and Tommy Tipton added seven points and five assists.

“We didn’t handle overtime very well,” Smith said. “I think we just had some maturity mistakes. I made some mistakes, they made some mistakes, and mistakes probably cost us the game. It had nothing to do with effort. I thought our effort was great.”

The Indians will travel to New Miami tonight.

The Mohawks host Monroe on Tuesday.

Focus on boys basketball Madison vs. Carlisle

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