There's no stopping Cambridge's Vontz
For every gimmick defense that opponents have thrown at Waid Vontz this season, the Cambridge guard has generally managed the last laugh. An all-state quarterback on the football field and the reigning champion in boys state golf, Vontz enters this week’s boys state basketball tournament as one of the most prolific scorers in Nebraska history.
Vontz is closing in on 1,700 career points, a mark accomplished by only 64 players, all of them legends in their hometowns.
Of Vontz’s total, nearly 1,600 points have come since the beginning of his sophomore year. This season, Vontz is averaging 26.8 points a game despite practicing only once before playing his first game — the result of a broken right index finger suffered in football — and facing whatever defense a coach might dream up to try and slow the 6-foot-1 senior.
“They chase him all over, mug him and everything else,” said Cambridge coach Del Schoenfish, a veteran of 33 years and 500-plus career victories. “His thing is he’s big enough to go down low, and if they try to cover him with a big man, he can take it outside.
“I think we’ve faced more gimmick defenses than ever, but if they don’t do that, he’d have ballgames like the one where he had seven treys.”
Vontz scored 44 points in one game this season. He had 40 one night, 37 another. He also contributes 10.5 rebounds and 5 assists a game.
While those numbers might be impressive, Vontz said what’s been best about this season is the opportunity to play alongside his classmates. Cambridge (21-3) starts five seniors including 6-3 forward Anthony Lytle, who averages nearly 15 points a game.
Vontz, who is considering both Nebraska-Kearney and Hastings as schools where he could play both basketball and golf in college, gained experience the last three summers playing with Bison all-star teams that included many of the top scorers in the state.
In those times, Vontz said his role was more as a true point guard.
“I left the scoring to all those big guns,” said Vontz. “But whether it be scoring or dishing off, if someone’s hanging all over you, you learn to deal with and take advantage of those situations.”
Vontz listed Wauneta-Palisade’s Taylor Dixon as one of the strongest defenders he’s faced this season. Dixon will likely draw the assignment again Thursday when the teams meet in an opening-round rematch at the Class D-1 state tournament.
The teams met just a week ago in a thrilling district final. Cambridge, ranked seventh, rallied from down four points in the final 17 seconds to force overtime. Vontz began the comeback with a three-pointer. Then after No. 2 Wauneta-Palisade went 1 for 2 on free throws, Vontz pulled down the rebound, and streaking down the court drew the attention of several defenders.
He found Lytle open for a tying layup with three seconds left.
“It was probably one of my most exciting games ever,” said Vontz, who has played in state championship games in football and basketball and competed for state titles in golf.
“That proved we could beat one of the best teams in the state,” he added. “If we go down with that kind of confidence, we have as good a chance as anybody to win it.”
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7439 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
Vontz is closing in on 1,700 career points, a mark accomplished by only 64 players, all of them legends in their hometowns.
Of Vontz’s total, nearly 1,600 points have come since the beginning of his sophomore year. This season, Vontz is averaging 26.8 points a game despite practicing only once before playing his first game — the result of a broken right index finger suffered in football — and facing whatever defense a coach might dream up to try and slow the 6-foot-1 senior.
“They chase him all over, mug him and everything else,” said Cambridge coach Del Schoenfish, a veteran of 33 years and 500-plus career victories. “His thing is he’s big enough to go down low, and if they try to cover him with a big man, he can take it outside.
“I think we’ve faced more gimmick defenses than ever, but if they don’t do that, he’d have ballgames like the one where he had seven treys.”
Vontz scored 44 points in one game this season. He had 40 one night, 37 another. He also contributes 10.5 rebounds and 5 assists a game.
While those numbers might be impressive, Vontz said what’s been best about this season is the opportunity to play alongside his classmates. Cambridge (21-3) starts five seniors including 6-3 forward Anthony Lytle, who averages nearly 15 points a game.
Vontz, who is considering both Nebraska-Kearney and Hastings as schools where he could play both basketball and golf in college, gained experience the last three summers playing with Bison all-star teams that included many of the top scorers in the state.
In those times, Vontz said his role was more as a true point guard.
“I left the scoring to all those big guns,” said Vontz. “But whether it be scoring or dishing off, if someone’s hanging all over you, you learn to deal with and take advantage of those situations.”
Vontz listed Wauneta-Palisade’s Taylor Dixon as one of the strongest defenders he’s faced this season. Dixon will likely draw the assignment again Thursday when the teams meet in an opening-round rematch at the Class D-1 state tournament.
The teams met just a week ago in a thrilling district final. Cambridge, ranked seventh, rallied from down four points in the final 17 seconds to force overtime. Vontz began the comeback with a three-pointer. Then after No. 2 Wauneta-Palisade went 1 for 2 on free throws, Vontz pulled down the rebound, and streaking down the court drew the attention of several defenders.
He found Lytle open for a tying layup with three seconds left.
“It was probably one of my most exciting games ever,” said Vontz, who has played in state championship games in football and basketball and competed for state titles in golf.
“That proved we could beat one of the best teams in the state,” he added. “If we go down with that kind of confidence, we have as good a chance as anybody to win it.”
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7439 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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