The Blackford Bruins Junior Varsity basketball team traveled Thursday evening to play against Conference rival Mississinewa Indians. The Bruins Junior Varsity has had a strong start to the season (6 and 5 overall), particularly in the Conference (3 and 0 overall). Blackford knew they would have their hands full vs Mississinewa, a strong 3A program that has had several talented classes going through their school system over the past couple of years.
Blackford was able to get off to a solid start in the first quarter as the Bruins were able to execute defensively in their half court 1-2-2 zone defense. Blackford played strong defense in the first quarter, holding the Indians to 8 points. The Bruins struggled on the offensive end, missing several lay-ups throughout the course of the game, including multiple lay-ups in the first quarter. Despite the early missed lay-ups, Blackford finished the first quarter tied 8-8 with the Mississinewa Indians.
In the 2nd quarter, the Bruins continued to play solid half court defense and were able to enter half-time with a 15-13 lead. Blackford executed 3 set plays to Reggie Duren in the first half to get him open looks from the 3-point line. Duren knocked down all three attempts, including his last attempt that appeared to be a 4-point play (foul was not called). On Duren's attempt, a player closed out too hard and ended up not giving Duren a landing area, resulting in Reggie Duren spraining his ankle.
In the 2nd half, Blackford continued to struggle to score the basketball, having several lay-up attempts jar off the rim in the 3rd quarter, as the Bruins mustered up 5 points and fell behind 26 to 20 entering the 4th quarter. Sophomores Jacob Dillon and Mason McFeely, both provided strong statistical games for the Bruins, helping keep the game interesting all the way up to the final buzzer. Dillon recorded the Bruins 2nd double-double of the season, with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks! Mason McFeely recorded a 4x5 stat line, with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals!
In the 4th quarter, Blackford went to a full court press, finding ways to turn Mississinewa over late in the game, getting the game to a 2-point deficit. The Bruins just could not come up the plays needed to retake the lead on the Indians before falling 39-32. Blackford's JV now has a day off, before playing at home Saturday night vs Winchester. The Bruins Junior Varsity will tip-off at 6:00 pm Saturday night vs Winchester in Bruin gymnasium. The loss drops the Junior Varsity to 6-6 over and 3-1 in the conference.
Stats from Junior Varsity game:
Kentral Toomer - 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, & 3 steals
Mason McFeely - 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals
Jacob Dillon - 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 1 steal
Reggie Duren - 11 points and 2 steals
Eli Morgan - 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
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