The Blackford Bruins played hosted to Conference rival Elwood Panthers Friday night in a huge game in the early portion of the Conference season. The Elwood Panthers and Blackford Bruins have matched up 40 times over the last 35 seasons, with the Panthers winning 23 out of the 40 games overall. Blackford entered the game, coming off a loss to Conference rival Alexandria Tigers and were looking to even their record out in the Conference Friday evening vs the Elwood Panthers. Blackford lost last year vs the Elwood Panthers on the road 38-37, the Bruins were looking to avenge last year's defeat Friday night, as they played the 3rd game of the evening. The night tipped off with the Junior Varsity boys defeating Elwood, the Bruins girls Varsity defeating Elwood and the boys Varsity played the final game looking for a clean sweep on the night for the Bruins.
The Bruins started the game, playing solid man to man defense, holding down the Panthers to 7 first quarter points. The Bruins were active defensively on the ball, while exhibiting excellent rotations defensively, setting the tone for the evening. Junior Gage Baker was able to get the Bruins off to a solid start scoring the first 3 points of the game for the Bruins on multiple drives right drawing a foul (making 1 free throw) and finishing his 2nd drive. The Bruins were able to hit ahead a pass up the floor from Baker (became a running theme for the evening) to Senior guard Ethan Morris for a basket. Senior Vince Oxley was able to get to the free-throw line and score inside on a nice offensive rebound put-back where he had to create a finish with a solid shot fake and power dribble to finish on the right side of the rim. Senior guard Kian Wells entered the game and quickly had a nice drive from the left wing to finish at the basket. The Bruins finished the first quarter up 11-7.
At the start of the 2nd quarter, Junior guard Jacob Leas was able to get loose off a double screen to drain a 3-pointer to give the Bruins a lead 14-7. For the final 6 and a half minutes of the 2nd quarter, the Bruins struggled to put the ball in the basket, Oxley was able to score twice inside for the Bruins, once on an offensive rebound where he used a right handed scoop shot to finish. Oxley's 2nd basket was on a nice screen and roll from Baker, as Baker delivered 1 of his career high 7 assists in the game. The Bruins relied on solid defense in the 2nd quarter, holding the Panthers to 5 points, entering half-time with a 18-12 lead.
To start the 3rd quarter, the Panthers quickly went on a 5-0 run to close the score to a 1 point game, 18-17. On the next possession, Jacob Leas attacked his defender off the dribble and drew a 2nd defender where he kicked it out to a wide open Baker in the corner to drain a 3-pointer to give the Bruins a 21-17 lead. On the next possession, Leas was able to pressure the Panthers out top and create a steal for a fastbreak lay-up where he finished and drew the foul for an and-1. The quick 6 points from Baker and Leas gave the Bruins a 7 point lead as they started to turn up the pressure in the full court. On the next offensive possession, the Bruins went to a wing ball screen for Baker and he was able to find Sophomore Mason Kitterman cutting to the basket, delivering a beautiful bounce pass and Kitterman finished strong with his left hand. Blackford was able to get a stop defensively, with Ethan Morris drawing a foul on a moving screen by the Panthers. The Bruins ended getting the basketball under their own basket, as they executed an inbounds play giving Leas an open 3 from the right wing, he drained it to give the Bruins a 10 point lead 29-19 with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
A couple empty possessions from both teams before the Panthers attacked to try and score, Baker secured the rebound and found Leas streaking up the floor, delivering another perfect full court pass for a lay-up to give the Bruins a 31-19 lead. After a couple made free-throws from Baker, the Bruins displayed great ball movement as Morris made the extra pass to Baker to get a wide open look from 3, the shot was short, but Kitterman grabbed the offensive rebound to put it back in, giving the Bruins a 35-21 lead. The Panthers were able to drain a 3 to pull within 11 points, before the Bruins once again displayed good ball movement, finding Morris out top wide open draining a 3-pointer. Blackford stayed in their pressure, getting a trap out by half court, leading a cross court pass out of a trap being stolen by Baker who found Morris for another lay-up to end the quarter up 40-24.
The Bruins played their best basketball of the season last evening as they finished the game winning 58-44. It was a dominant performance on the defensive end by the Bruins, as they gave up several easy baskets late in the game to give the Panthers 44 on the night. Gage Baker had his best game in a Bruin uniform, providing the Bruins a monster game filling out the stat sheet with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 3 made 3-pointers. The Bruins finished the game with 3 players in double figures, Ethan Morris led with 17 points, Gage Baker 14 points, Jacob Leas 13 points and Vince Oxley contributed 8 points in a balanced attack for the Bruins. Blackford will not enter Saturday evening 3-2 overall as they play host to non-conference opponent Eastern Hancock.
Stats from Varsity Game:
EthanMorris - 17 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 steals
Gage Baker - 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Jacob Leas - 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Vince Oxley - 8 points, 4 rebounds
Mason Kitterman - 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks
Kian Wells - 2 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Jacob Dillon - 4 rebounds
The Blackford Bruins Junior Varsity played their 2nd conference game of the season against the Elwood Panthers, looking to improve to 2-0 in the conference and 3-2 overall. The Bruins Junior Varsity jumped all over the Panthers, jumping out to a 18-7 lead after the first quarter. Blackford never looked back, extending their lead every quarter winning 71 - 22. The Bruins were led in scoring with Reggie Duren's 20 points, Kentral Toomer scored 16 points, Eli Morgan scored 16 points, and Mason McFeely chipped in 8 points in a balanced attack by the Bruins. The Bruins had contributions from the entire roster, with Kentral Toomer and Eli Morgan providing impressive stat lines for the Bruins.
Toomer was closing in on a triple double in his 3 quarters of playing time. Toomer scored 16 points, dished out 7 assists, and collected 7 steals during his 3 quarters. Elijah Morgan provided the Bruins with 16 points, 7 rebounds and a career high 4 blocks for the Bruins. Blackford will now turn around quickly and play Eastern Hancock's Junior Varsity tonight. The game tips off at 6 pm, come out and support your Bruins basketball program!
Junior Varsity stats:
Reggie Duren - 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Kentral Toomer - 16 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 steals
Elijah Morgan - 16 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Mason McFeely - 8 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals
Jacob Barry - 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Jayveon McPhaul - 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Jacob Dillon - 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block
Special Thanks to LEVI GROOMS for the pictures!!!!
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