Kirkwood men run away from Northeast

Metro Sports Report

Tim Sandquist discovered some creative ways to recruit players last spring and summer when the COVID-19 pandemic limited what he could do in person.

The Kirkwood men's basketball coach spent more time on social media outlets than he did in gyms while assembling a new team for the Eagles. Based on what happened Saturday at Johnson Hall, his revised
method for finding new guys has paid off.

The top-ranked Eagles ran away from Northeast, 99-61, in an ICCAC romp at Johnson Hall.

There are 16 players on this year's team and only two of them were students at Kirkwood a year ago. Somehow, Sandquist has managed to put a new crew together that is deep, talented, and athletic.

"It's a good group," said Sandquist. "I like our depth and versatility."

Freshman Joich Gong led a balanced attack with 17 points. Blake Brinkmeyer, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Indiana State, was a dunking machine in the first half and finished with 13 points. Chris Burnell, the only letterman, also scored 13. Noah King popped in four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points.

Kirkwood shot 62.7 percent from the floor, including 9-for-16 on 3-pointers, and collected 31 assists on 42 baskets. It became a track meet at times, with the Eagles racing from end to end and feeding teammates for easy buckets.

The Eagles (1-1) pounded Northeast on the backboards, 39-22. Blessin Kimble, a force around the basket, has six rebounds. King and Cortaviaus Seales had five assists.

Michael Anderson scored 14 points for Northeast (1-1).

Kirkwood hosts NIACC Wednesday at 7 p.m.

NORTHEAST (61): Michael Anderson 7 0-0 14, Evan Decker 5 0-0 13,
Trey Drummond 2 2-2 8, Jared Lopez 3 7-8 13, Ben Tew 0 0-0 0, Devin Ross 1 0-0 3,
Chad Smith 0 0-0 0, LaVonte Howard 1 0-0 3, Justin Hiser 0 0-0 0,
Grant Stec 0 0-1 0, Andy Knapp 1 0-0 3, Akol Ring 2 0-0 4.
Totals
22 9-11 61.

KIRKWOOD (99): Noah King 4 0-0 12, Joich Gong 6 3-4 17,
Corvon Seales 4 0-0 9, Blake Brinkmeyer 6 1-1 13, Blessin Kimble 4 0-0 8,
Cortaviaus Seales 3 0-0 7, Caleb Delzell 3 0-0 6, Chris Burnell 5 2-2 13,
Da'Quavion Walker 0 0-0 0, Dante Eldridge 0 0-0 0, Nick Pepin 0 0-0 0,
Raejzuan Shockely 2 0-0 4, Jaden Keller 4 0-0 8, Tim Howard 1 0-0 2.
Totals 42 6-7 99

Halftime - Kirkwood 51, Northeast 34. 3-point goals - Northeast 8
(Decker 3, Drummond 2, Ross 1, Howard 1, Knapp 1), Kirkwood 9
(King 4, Gong 2, Corvon Seales 1, Cortaviaus Seales 1, Burnell 1)