Five Takeaways: Franklin Monroe vs. Minster
Minster put themselves in the “Best Division IV team in Ohio” discussion with a 74-58 victory over Franklin Monroe on Monday morning. The Wildcats took advantage of soft perimeter defense and now sit at 8-2 on the season.
Junior Ethan Conley did all he could for Franklin Monroe, scoring 35 points and scrambling all over the court for loose balls.
In our first look at both teams, we learned a lot.
Open shooters
Franklin Monroe’s gameplan clearly centered around Minster’s size advantage. From the tip, 6’9″ post Jarod Schulze was defended by two to three defenders on his touches. Even when Schulze was without the ball trying to create a passing angle, FM often kept four players near the paint. Schulze missed most of the second quarter with fouls and nothing changed for FM’s scheme.
Impressively, guys like Isaac Schmiesing, Adam Knapke, and Mike Ketner converted open 3-pointers and attacked open gaps in the defense.
Schulze is a glass-eater
The junior 6’9″ house dominated the glass when he was on the floor for Minster, finishing with rebounds in limited minutes. As mentioned, his mere presence was the difference in the game because of FM’s defensive focus. Schulze also sets great screens when guards run baseline. He has good feet and has slimmed down since the summer while remaining powerful. Soft touch around the rim. Looks like a low-major/D-I prospect.
Ethan Conley scores
Conley is a 6’3″-6’4″ junior wing that recently went over 1,000 points for the Jets. He showed the entire repertoire today but scored primarily from the mid-range. He has a reliable one-foot fallaway jumper, can pull-up, or weave between the defense with a spin move. He gets it done around the basket too with his strong frame and body control in the air. Conley also snagged nine rebounds against a Minster frontcourt that goes 6’9″ and 6’6″.
Introducing Mike Ketner
Minster 6’0″ junior point guard Mike Ketner’s name belongs on Division III recruitment boards across the state. Scoring on corner 3s and sneaky drives where he’d often pump fake, Ketner had a team-high 21,points and shot 53 percent. Ketner never forced the issue but was ready to attack once the ball swung around. Solid athlete and a good handle.
Minster can compete with anyone in Division IV
Their size and confident cast of guards made for as impressive of a performance we’ve see out of a Division IV team this season. Fort Loramie will remain the #1 team in Ohio and the favorite until they lose a game (if that ever happens), but these Wildcats can go. Controlling the boards, patience on offense, and playing through Schulze are keys.