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LINCOLN < You can't fault Craig Schnitzler for trying.
Prior to the boys state basketball tournament, the Kenesaw coach attempted to simulate Archbishop Bergan's speed in practice. He deployed seven or eight defenders to cover every spot on the floor.
The Blue Devils could have used that many offensive players against Bergan's full-court pressure defense Thursday morning.
The top-ranked Knights forced 24 turnovers, including eight in the first quarter, en route to an easy 79-47 victory in first-round Class D-1 action at Lincoln East.
"We just felt that we had a good game plan going in," Schnitzler said. "They're just quick. If you don't have it (speed) yourself, it's hard to simulate it."
The Knights (25-0) ended Kenesaw's (14-8) first state trip since 1992 with a 23-7 surge in the opening quarter.
"I thought we came out and did some good things," Bergan coach Chris Paulson said. "I thought we came out and were able to get after them defensively and dictate things."
It wasn't Iowa State recruit Wes Eikmeier who was behind the early offensive barrage for the Knights.
Senior Brian Liekhus nearly hit his 11.3 scoring average after one quarter with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting. The 6-foot-1 guard nailed three 3-pointers in the game's opening 5 minutes, 15 seconds and finished with 18 points.
"Everybody still thinks Wes is the guy," Paulson said. "We got lots of guys who can score. Brian Liekhus came out and shot the ball real well."
That Eikmeier kid isn't bad, either. The 6-foot-3 senior guard scored 22 of his game-high 29 points in the opening half as Bergan led 41-17 at the break. Eikmeier hit 11-of-21 shots, including 4-of-9 from 3-point territory.
Kenesaw made only 7 of 20 first-half shots (35 percent).
"The first half, we didn't do a good job of getting the ball into the post guys," Schnitzler said. "The second half, we did a better job of getting the ball in and getting points on the board."
Bergan, which made 15 layups (10 in the second half) and nine 3-pointers in shooting 53 percent (31-of-58), pushed its lead to 31 points midway through the third quarter before the Blue Devils found an offensive stride. Kenesaw made 12-of-26 shots (46 percent) in the second half.
Trevor Stickels led Kenesaw with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including three treys. The senior also had seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Evan Bender contributed 10 points.
Bergan had 10 players score as it advances to a semifinal game against fourth-seeded Mead (20-3) this morning at 9 at Pershing Center.
Before the game, Bergan parents discussed a championship celebration Saturday afternoon. However, Schnitzler wasn't as quick to crown the Knights.
"I haven't seen the other teams," he said. "They're going to have to have an off night shooting (in order to lose). It's possible. When you get down to state, anything can happen out there. Their opponent will have to play well."
ARCHBISHOP BERGAN 79, KENESAW 47
FREMONT BERGAN (25-0)
Liekhus 6-11 2-2 18, Brown 0-3 2-2 2, Wilmes 2-5 0-0 4, Morrissey 3-3 1-2 7, Eikmeier 11-21 3-3 29, Jensen 4-4 0-0 9, Rasmussen 1-3 0-0 2, Krumwiede 1-2 0-1 2, Spellerberg 0-3 0-0 0, White 1-1 0-0 2, Miles 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 31-58 8-10 79.
KENESAW (14-8)
Stickels 6-10 0-0 15, Volzke 2-3 0-0 5, Bender 4-5 2-4 10, Jacobitz 2-12 0-0 5, Marble 0-1 0-0 0, Cline 1-2 0-0 2, Cammack 1-2 0-0 3, Shurigar 0-1 0-0 0, Rossow 2-5 0-1 5, Clark 1-5 0-1 2. Totals 19-46 2-6 47.
Archbishop Bergan 23 18 19 19 79
Kenesaw 7 10 14 16 47
3-Point goalsBergan 9-22 (Liekhus 4-8, Eikmeier 4-9, Jensen 1-1, Spellerberg 0-1, Wilmes 0-1, Rasmussen 0-2), Kenesaw 7-20 (Stickels 3-6, Cammack 1-1, Rossow 1-2, Volzke 1-2, Jacobitz 1-8, Clark 0-1). Fouled outNone. ReboundsBergan 34 (Eikmeier, Morrissey 6), Kenesaw 25 (Clark, Stickels 7). AssistsBergan 20 (Wilmes 9), Kenesaw 12 (Stickels 4). TurnoversBergan 12, Kenesaw 24. Total foulsBergan 14, Kenesaw 15. TechnicalsNone.
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