The Blackford Bruins basketball program hosted one of their Conference rivals in the Frankton Eagles Friday night in a Girl/Boy doubleheader. Blackford entered the game Friday night coming off a huge comeback win last Saturday evening vs Winchester High School. The Frankton Eagles entered the game 8-5 overall and 3-0 in the Conference. The Bruins were looking for their 3rd win in the Conference as they're entered Friday night 2-2 overall in the CIC. The Bruins entered Friday night game vs Frankton without starting Center Vince Oxley. Oxley has been one of the Bruins top performers all year, providing solid play inside around the basket for Blackford.
The Frankton Eagles took control of the game early, jumping out to a 4-0 lead on back-to-back lay-ups. Blackford struggled on the defensive end for the majority of the evening, as Frankton executed in the half court and in transition for easy baskets. Towards the end of the first quarter, both Ethan Morris and Gage Baker were whistled for their 2nd fouls. The Bruins played the 2nd quarter without both of their 3-year Varsity starters, and Frankton took advantage outplaying Blackford in the 2nd quarter in a similar fashion to the 1st period. Blackford was outplayed both quarters, getting outscored by 6 points in the first quarter and 9 points in the 2nd period, leading to a 35-20 half-time deficit.
The Bruins came out after half-time, playing solid man-to-man defense, outscoring the Eagles 9-2 in the first few minutes of the 3rd quarter, closing the gap to 37--29 Frankton. The Bruins had multiple chances to put the ball in the basket and get the score to a two-possession game but came up empty. The Eagles were then able to lock Blackford down for the next 8 to 10 minutes of the game, extending to a 16-point deficit for Blackford in the 4th, before subbing in their reserves.
Blackford ended up falling to the Eagles 57-39. The loss drops the Bruins to 9-6 overall and 2-3 in the Conference. Blackford will now look to bounce back Saturday night at Monroe Central High School.
Stats for Varsity game:
Gage Baker - 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and two 3-pointers
Kian Wells - 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and one 3-pointer
Ethan Morris - 4 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Jacob Dillon - 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 block
Jacob Leas - 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Mason Kitterman - 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Gavin Collett - 2 points and 2 rebounds
In Junior Varsity action the Bruins defeated the Frankton Eagles 44 - 33. The win gives the Bruins 8 wins on the year, improving on their 7-win total from last season. Blackford's Junior Varsity is now 8-6 overall. It was one of the more impressive wins of the year for the Blackford basketball program, as the Junior Varsity received major contributions from Kentral Toomer, Mason McFeely and Reggie Duren. Blackford jumped out to a 23-18 half-time lead over the Eagles. At the start of the 3rd quarter, Blackford took control of the game, outscoring the Eagles 15 - 5 to take a commanding 38-23 lead heading into the 4th quarter. Mason McFeely had one of the best stat lines of the season for any Bruin, contributing 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 8 steals! It was a big win for the young Bruins. Blackford travels Saturday night to Monroe Central High School for their 15th game on the year!
JUNIOR VARSITY STATS:
Reggie Duren - 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 steals and two 3-pointers
Mason MCfeely - 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 8 steals and two 3-pointers
Kentral Toomer - 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals and one 3-pointer
Jacob Dillon - 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals
Jayveon McPhaul - 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 block
Ryan Gorrell - 1 rebound
Jacob Barry - 1 steal
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