Blackford traveled to Delta High School Tuesday night for a non-conference showdown vs the 6-1 Delta Eagles. The Bruins entered the evening looking to build off back to back wins over the weekend, improving their record to 4-2 on the season. The Delta Eagles entered Tuesday night ranked # 4 in the state for class 3A (AP poll). Delta returns the majority of it's roster from last year, a team that made a run to Semi-State in the 2022-2023 season, before falling to Northwood 51-36. Blackford knew Tuesday night would be a tough task, using it as a measuring stick of where they currently stand before entering the 2nd half of the season and the meat of their conference schedule in January. Delta and Blackford have matched up 28 times over the last 35 years, with Delta dominating the match-ups on the hardwood, winning 23 out of the 28 contests.
Blackford entered the game vs Delta, knowing the Eagles would attempt to apply pressure early and often to the Bruins, as they would have to display they are ready to withstand ball pressure and match the Eagles physicality around the basket. The Bruins were able to execute offensively at the start of the game, breaking the Eagles press and getting a couple shot attempts, including a drive by Kian Wells that missed off of the rim and a 3-point attempt by Jacob Leas that rimmed in and out in the left corner. The Eagles were able to jump out to a 5-0 lead, thanks to two made free-throws by Jakcson Wors and a made 3-pointer by Jayden Furney. On the next possession, the Bruins were able to break the Eagles press as Kian Wells found Vince Oxley in the middle of the floor vs the press and Oxley turned and took a couple dribbles before finding Leas in the right corner who drained a 3-pointer to make the score 5-3. On the next possession Ethan Morris was able to anticipate a pass to the top of the floor and steal the basketball leading to a fastbreak lay-up that fell short off the rim. The Bruins struggled from that point forward, as they struggled taking care of the basketball, finishing the first half with only 13 total shot attempts and 11 turnovers. The Bruins finished the first half down 35 - 17 as the Eagles scored the majority of their points at point blank range off fastbreak lay-ups and offensive rebound put-backs. Blackford received balanced scoring in the first half, behind Jacob Leas's 6 points from 2 made 3-pointers, Mason Kitterman scored 4 points in the first half, Vince Oxley hit a 3-pointer, Kian Wells and Ethan Morris both scored a basket to round out the first half scoring for the Bruins.
Blackford entered the 2nd half knowing they needed to make a run early in the 3rd quarter, but could not get anything going as Delta's size and athleticism overwhelmed the Bruins for the majority of the evening. The Bruins scored 6 points in the 3rd quarter behind a basket from Ethan Morris and two baskets by Jacob Dillon. The Bruins were able to play the Eagles close to even in the 4th quarter, as Jacob Leas drilled his 3rd 3-pointer on the evening, Ethan Morris drained two 3-pointers and had a nice drive for a lay-up, and Vince Oxley had a nice drive for an and-1 off a fake hand-off. The Bruins scored sixteen 4th quarter points with Morris scoring 8 points, Leas scoring 5 points and Vince Oxley scoring 3 points, but Blackford fell to Delta 70-39 to drop to 4-3 on the season. Ethan Morris had another strong game for the Bruins, being the lone Bruin who played significant minutes handling the ball and finishing the game with zero turnovers, 12 points 4 assists and 1 steal. Morris is rounding into form and looking like a 3 year Varsity starter, as he's dished out 10 assists over the last two games and scored double figures in the last 5 games for the Bruins. Blackford was hit with another injury last night, as Mason Kitterman rolled his ankle in the second half and did not return for the game. Blackford wastes no time as they travel Friday evening to play Shenandoah High School at 8:30 pm to kick off their Holiday Tournament.
Here are the Varsity Stats:
Ethan Morris - 12 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal & two 3-pointers
Jake Leas - 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 charge taken, & three 3-pointers
Vince Oxley - 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, & one 3-pointer
Mason Kitterman - 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 block
Jacob Dillon - 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Kian Wells - 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Gage Baker - 1 assist and 2 steals
In Junior Varsity action, the Bruins fell to Delta High School 47 - 30 to drop to 3-4 on the season. It was a struggle for Blackford for a lot of the evening, as they fell behind by double figures pretty early in the game before fighting back to single digits, but could not generate enough scoring to keep the game interesting. The Bruins Junior Varsity will travel this Friday to Shenandoah for a game at 5:30 pm in the middle school gym vs Shenandoah.
Here are the Junior Varsity Stats:
Reggie Duren - 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Jacob Dillon - 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
Kentral Toomer - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Mason McFeely - 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Elijah Morgan - 4 points, 3 rebounds
Jayveon McPhaul - 2 points, 2 rebounds
Jacob Barry - 1 rebound
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