As we reach the near mid point of the season, the Bruins finished up their games for the 2023 calendar year, starting the season off 6-4 overall. The Bruins were able to win their last 2 games in the Shenandoah Raiders Christmas classic, hoping to gain momentum as they head into the 2nd half of the 2023-2024 season. Today we are going to review some of highlights from each of the Varsity contributors as we head into January, with a game of DID YOU KNOW???
'
We will start with the Seniors, and work our way down to the underclassman:
Senior Guard - Ethan Morris
Ethan Morris entered his senior season, looking to build off being a starting guard for the Bruins during his sophomore and junior seasons. He entered the 2023-2024 season as the returning leading scorer, leader in assists and steals for the Bruins. Morris unfortunately dealt with injuries to both his upper and lower body for several months heading into the season. He was finally cleared for full contact right before the season opener. Due to Morris's injuries, his time was limited in the season opener vs Southwood, as the Bruins were defeated 74-67 on the road to open up the 2023-2024 season. Since the 2nd game of the season, Morris has been a difference maker on both ends of the court for the Bruins. He has served as one of the program's captains and handles the primary ball handling duties for the Bruins. Despite having the ball in his hands the most, Morris has limited himself to the least amount of turnovers of the players playing significant minutes. Morris has continued to round himself into shape coming off multiple injuries, at times living in the paint consistently utilizing his speed to get to the rim (scoring a team leading 7 points per game in the paint). Morris is currently the 2nd leading scorer (10.2 points per game) in a balanced scoring attack for the Bruins. He is currently tied for 2nd in assists per game (2.7). Morris continues to have a presence on the defensive end, leading the team in charges taken and it isn't a coincidence the season high points allowed by the Bruins (74 vs Southwood), was a game he played limited minutes. Expect a big 2nd half of the season for guard Ethan Morris.
Senior Forward/Center - Vince Oxley
Vince Oxley entered his senior campaign coming off a strong junior season for the Bruins. Oxley was named a captain for the Bruins and he provides the team with steady production everytime he takes the floor. Despite standing at 6'2'' tall, Oxley provides plenty of strong play inside and continues to show his improvements from his junior campaign. Vince Oxley has been the Bruins most productive player on the floor for Blackford through the first 10 games, based off overall player efficiency. Oxley is shooting a team lead 62% from the floor and 67% from the free throw line (almost 20% increase from his junior season - 48%), he is the 5th leading scorer (7.0 points per game), tied for 2nd in rebounding (4.1 rebounds per game), and 3rd in steals (1.7 steals per game). Oxley dominated the 2nd half of the Blue River win, scoring 15 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and collecting 6 steals. Oxley appears ready to have a strong finish to his senior season as we enter the 2nd half of the season.
Senior Guard - Kian Wells
Kian Wells entered his senior season for the Bruins, playing a mixture of both JV and Varsity during his junior season. Wells had a really strong off-season, attending every workout for the Bruins and has been one of the hardest workers in my tenure at trying to improve his game individually. Wells has continued to work on his conditioning, while hitting a growth spurt and entered his senior season as a completely different player compared to his sophomore season when I first arrived. Wells was ready to have a breakout season for the Bruins and his breakout started right away for Blackford. Wells is one of the four Bruins averaging 8 points per game or more in Blackford's balanced offensive attack in the first 10 games. Wells has scored double figures 4 times in the first 10 games, including a 19-point explosion, helping lead Blackford to their first win of the season. Wells followed up his 19-point game, scoring 15 more points in their 2nd win of the year vs Blue River. Wells also poured in a career high 8 assists in the season opener as he filled in at the point guard role due to Morris's injury. Wells breakout was put on hold vs Alexandria, as he unluckily caught a fever, putting him out for most of the week and could not attend the game. Wells is currently the 4th leading scorer at 8.1 points per game, team leader in assists per game (3.0), and tied for 2nd in rebounds per game (4.1). Expect a strong 2nd half to the season from Kian Wells.
Senior Forward - Gavin Collett
The Bruins are looking forward to the return of senior forward Gavin Collett. Collett started several games for the Bruins during his junior season. Blackford has played the first 10 games without Collett due to a fracture in his foot. Collett has been cleared to practice and is working his way back into basketball shape. Collett is one of the leaders vocally for the Bruins, bringing consistent energy in practice vocally, the Bruins are excited for his return. Collett will bring more size, strength, perimeter shooting, solid passing and he led the Conference in charges taken during his junior season. Expect a strong finish from Gavin Collett during the months of January, February and March.
Junior Guard/Forward - Gage Baker
Gage Baker entered his junior season as he looked to become a 3-year Varsity starter for the Bruins (starting since his freshman season). Baker returned for 2023-2024 season as the 2nd leading scorer, 2nd in rebounding, 3rd in assists per game and leader in blocked shots per game as a sophomore. The Bruins entered the 2023-2024 season expecting a jump in production in most areas as he officially becomes an upperclassman. Baker is the Bruins 3rd leading scorer (10.1 points per game), leading rebounder (6.2 rebounds per game), tied for 2nd in assists (2.7 assists per game), 2nd in steals (2.1 steals per game) and leads in blocks per game (1.1). Baker has scored in double figures in 6 out of the 10 games so far and finished his most recent game vs North Knox with the lone double-double of the season so far from any Bruin (10 points & 10 rebounds). Baker has been rebounding like a madman of late for the Bruins, as he's had 9 rebounds in a game twice, 7 rebounds twice and most recently 10 rebounds vs North Knox. Baker hit the biggest shot of his young career, as he knocked down a 3-pointer late in the game vs Rushville to give the Bruins a 38-36 victory. Baker will look to improve on his already steady production for the Bruins in the 2nd half of the season.
Junior Guard - Jacob Leas
Jacob Leas entered his junior season for Blackford after starting several games for the Bruins as a sophomore and playing a mixture of both JV and Varsity for the Bruins during the 2022-2023 season. Leas poured in a boat load of time this past off-season honing his skills for his upcoming junior season, looking to become a threat from the perimeter for the Bruins. Judging off the first 10 games, Leas's time spent working on his shot has paid off, as he's become the Bruins leading scorer through the first half of the season, leading a balanced scoring attack for the Bruins (12.3 points per game). Leas has become a breakout player for the Bruins on both ends of the floor. His activity on the defensive end has been noticeable, leading the Bruins in steals per game (2.9), which is currently ranked 9th in the state (class of 2A). Leas has scored in double figures in 8 out of the 10 games for the Bruins, including a career high 19 points in the season opener at Southwood High School. Leas has given the Bruins a legitimate threat from the 3-point line through the first 10 games, hitting five 3-pointers in multiple games, leading the team in 3-pointers made (29) and 3-point percentage (37%). The 29 made 3-pointers currently ranks Leas 2nd overall in the state of Indiana (class of 2A - according to MaxPreps). Leas is currently leading the team in free-throw shooting (84%). Expect Leas to continue to grow in the 2nd half of the year as he becomes more comfortable playing a bigger role for the Bruins.
Sophomore Forward - Mason Kitterman
Mason Kitterman entered the 2023-2024 season as a sophomore, after having a strong finish to his freshman campaign. Kitterman played a mixture of JV and Varsity during his freshman year and had a strong off-season as he looked to make the transition to becoming a full-time Varsity player for the 2023-2024 season. Kitterman has flashed loads of potential, standing at 6'4'' tall, he has displayed great ability to move his feet on the defensive end for the Bruins. Kitterman started the season matching his career high of 10 points on the road at Southwood. Kitterman played his best basketball of the season in the Bruins win vs Elwood, providing the Bruins with a season high 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. In the next game vs Delta, Kitterman's strong play continued in the first half vs Delta as he knocked down a mid-range jumper and had a strong reverse finish in the paint. Kitterman rolled his ankle vs Delta and missed the next 3 games. Blackford is excited about the progress Kitterman has made so far during his sophomore season and believe he will be a key part of the Bruins success for the remaining of the season.
Sophomore Forward/Center - Jacob Dillon
Jacob Dillon entered his sophomore season, after being one of the most productive players on the Junior Varsity during his freshman season. Dillon is one of the best rebounders in the Bruins program and he has started to earn more minutes at the Varsity level as we enter the middle of his sophomore season. The Bruins have been dealing with several injuries and sickness through the first 10 games and Dillon has stepped in providing the Bruins with steady play around the basket. Dillon produced a career high 4 points and 6 rebounds vs Delta High School on December 19th. He also collected 4 rebounds vs Elwood and North Knox. The Bruins are looking for Dillon to continue to develop his ability to finish around the basket in the 2nd half of the season, as he looks to become a key role player for the Bruins Varsity during his sophomore season.
The Bruins are excited about the potential of this year's group, as we look forward to seeing this group at full strength during the month of January. The Bruins are looking forward to competing in the Central Indiana Athletic Conference (CIC), as there should be a lot of great games for fans to attend. Please come out and support your Bruins in the months of January and February as they continue to improve every week and represent Blackford High School in a positive way!
ONCE AGAIN....THANK YOU TO LEVI GROOMS FOR THE PICTURES OF THE KIDS! I APPRECIATE IT!
Comments