3 Takeaways: Nashville vs Breese Mater Dei

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSA playoffs are officially underway!&nbsp; Monday we kicked it off with a game at Nashville between the host Hornets and familiar foe Breese Mater Dei.&nbsp; Both teams came in at 21-9 on the regular season.&nbsp; It looked like Nashville was going to run away behind a monster first half from their junior star, but in the 4^th quarter after leading by 12 it got really close becoming a coin flip on the final few possessions.&nbsp; In the end Nashville held on to win 51-48.&nbsp; Here are our <strong>3 Takeaways: Nashville vs Breese Mater Dei</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ritzel Goes Off in First Half and Makes Key Plays Down Stretch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nashville got a massive first two quarters from their star [player_tooltip player_id='1552415' first='Maddox' last='Ritzel'].&nbsp; The junior strong bodied two guard did what he does best which is attack the rack.&nbsp; Did it consistently with spin moves into reverse layups, strong transition finishes, floaters, along with converting multiple and-1s.&nbsp; Also got on the offensive glass for several put backs.&nbsp; He recorded 17 of his game high 25 points in the first half.&nbsp; It was a quiet second half overall, but down the stretch he made some key plays including a big transition finish to push the lead out.&nbsp; Ritzel is one of the better pure bucket getters in southern Illinois in the junior class.&nbsp; He got help in the backcourt from seniors Ty Schoenherr and Ethan Pinski who each had 7 points.&nbsp; Schoenherr is a tough kid that scored with gritty plays around the rim including a pinball play where the ball bounced right to him for a score.&nbsp; Parker Schoenberg and Griffen Briles brought it up front with their toughness as the 6'7” duo rebounded well and contested shots inside making it hard for Mater Dei to get clean looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Balanced Effort Along with Trapping Defense Keeps Breese Mater Dei in It</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a senior trio that led the way most of the contest for Mater Dei.&nbsp; Luke Brefeld is a 6'2” shooting guard that got things going early with crafty finishes in the lane and mid-range jumpers en route to 10 points.&nbsp; Jared Hemker and Elliott Rakers brought grit up front for Mater Dei.&nbsp; Hempker was a solid post scorer that showed skill including a shot fake for a reverse along with a three on his way to 11 points.&nbsp; Rakers is a broad shouldered big man that seals around the basket and plays with physicality drawing fouls and playing bully ball at times going for 13 points.&nbsp; Down the stretch their junior star [player_tooltip player_id='1552416' first='Gavin' last='Peppenhorst'] came alive.&nbsp; He was very quiet through the first three quarters with only 2 points, but finished with 11 points after a monster final frame.&nbsp; Showed off the athleticism, creativity with the ball, and ability to get to the rim.&nbsp; His steal for a dunk was the turning point to get his team back in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What's Next for Hornets?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up for Nashville is the other school from Breese in Breese Central.&nbsp; They fell both times to Breese Central in the regular season who comes in at 25-5 on the year.&nbsp; Two things they will need to clean up are the turnovers against pressure which almost cost them the game on Monday along with knocking down their free throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Special thanks to my spotter helping with stats in this game my niece Mabry Moore!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->