With just eight players on the roster Thursday night, Miller boys basketball has a challenging task, especially against the 2019 VISAA D3 state runner-up Eastern Mennonite squad they faced that likes to play fast. The Mavericks had to manage fouls, manage energy, manage everything.
That all gets a little easier when Clarence Rupert is cooking like he was against the Flames.
Rupert poured in 26 points and pulled down 10 boards while dishing out three assists, with 25 of those 26 coming from the field including an 11-point second quarter. Rupert scored in transition, he scored off the dribble, he knocked down a 3-pointer and he had a dunk finish off a T.K. Bryant feed. He was everywhere, a matchup nightmare like he usually is on the wing and Eastern Mennonite struggled to find an answer as he was still attacking and finishing downt he stretch with nine fourth quarter points.
Meanwhile in that final frame, Bryant also got going, with 11 of his 13 points coming in the fourth including a 9-for-12 performance at the line in that quarter. Bryant effectively closed the door on any hope of an EMHS comeback with that foul shooting, keeping them at bay despite the Flames connecting on a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth.
Bryant finished with five assists and six boards to go with those 13 points. The Mavericks also got 11 points and five rebounds from Eli DeLaurier and six boards from Ethan DeLaurier.
Trey Gillenwater led EMHS with 22 points while Nick Jones had 17 and Adam Hatter had 12.
The Mavericks are now 5-0 on the year and are slated to travel to take on North Cross Friday.
