The Blackford Bruins Basketball program played host to another non-conference oppoenent Saturday evening. The Bruins were coming off a Friday night game vs Conference rival, defeating the Panthers in a dominating fashion to improve to 3-2 on the season. Blackford knew heading into the game vs Eastern Hancock that they would need to play more efficiently on the offensive end, looking to improve in the area of team turnovers. The Bruins were able to defeat the Panthers Friday night, but were careless with the basketball leading to a season high 19 team turnovers. The Bruins were facing Eastern Hancock, a school with a rich tradition of winning a lot of games over the last decade and a big strong physical team hungry for a win.
Blackford started the game hot, with Senior Vince Oxley getting the Bruins off to a great start, scoring inside on a nice dish from Senior Ethan Morris. On the next possession, Senior Kian Wells made a nice drive to the right baseline, before finding a trailing Oxley who drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key, the shot was all net, getting the Bruins to an early 5-0 start. The Bruins then received a nice dribble pull-up from Junior Gage Baker from the foul line area. The Bruins were able to get a stop defensively, leading to Morris making a nice drive and kick to Junior Jacob Leas who drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing. Eastern Hancock responded with a 3-pointer of their own, with the score 10-8 Bruins, Blackford executed an out of bounds under basket as Morris found Sophomore Mason Kitterman for a lay-up on the right block. With about 45 seconds left in the first quarter, Kian Wells made a nice drive from the top of the floor to hit a jump shot to give the Bruins a 14-8 lead. The Bruins were able to secure a stop with about 25 seconds left in the quarter. Blackford held the ball for the last shot of the quarter and ran a 4-low set to Morris, as he created a shot for Leas in the deep left corner on a nice drive and kick, Leas drained his 2nd three of the quarter to give the Bruins a 17-8 lead at the buzzer.
In the 2nd quarter, Eastern Hancock went to a 2-3 zone defense, and the Bruins made them pay. Blackford exhibited excellent ball movement, with Oxley at the foul line area, turning and making excellent kick outs to players on the perimeter. Kian Wells drained a 3-pointer off a kick out from Oxley and then a few possessions later, Wells drilled a 2nd 3-pointer off a nice drive and kick from Morris. Wells 2nd 3-pointer, put the Bruins up 24-14, on the next possession, Baker found Morris on a back cut from the top of the floor and he drove and kicked it out to Leas in the left corner as he drained his 3rd 3-pointer of the half. The Bruins were up 27-14. Blackford entered half-time leading 27-16. The Bruins hit six 3-pointers in the first half, scoring 18 of their 27 points from the 3-point line.
In the 2nd half, Blackford was able to hold the lead as Eastern Hancock attempted to make runs, the Bruins held a 6 to 10 point lead for the majority of the 2nd half and finished off the Royals 52-44. The Bruins displayed great ball movement on the majority of their half court possessions, taking care of the basketball, leading to a season low of 9 team turnovers. Ethan Morris had several nice finishes in the second half, including a pivot in the lane that left the defender confused. He also had a nice drive and spin to finish at the rim and a beautiful euro-step late in the game that helped seal the game. Kian Wells had a nice drive into a spin move for a jump shot after a nice drop off pass from Leas on a possession where the Bruins made about 15 passes to find an open shot. Leas made a really nice bounce pass leading Sophomore Jacob Dillon finishing at the rim as he rolled to the basket off a ball screen. Sophomore Mason Kitterman probably had his best game on the short season for the Bruins, contributing 6 rebounds 3 blocks, scoring 3 points and playing really active on the defensive end. Gage Baker led the Bruins with 9 rebounds on the night, back to back games where Baker has been 1 rebound short of double digits, he also contributed 5 points, and 3 blocks for the Bruins. The Win improves the Bruins to 4-2 on the season. Next game is Tuesday night at Delta High School.
Stats from Varsity:
Jacob Leas - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block & three 3-pointers
Ethan Morris - 11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
Kian Wells - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and two 3-pointers
Vince Oxley - 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and one 3-pointer
Gage Baker - 5 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks
Mason Kitterman - 3 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks
Jacob Dillon - 2 points
The Bruins Junior Varsity played host to Eastern Hancock for their 6th game on the season. The Bruins are coming off a win Friday night vs Elwood, as they defeated the Panthers 71-22. Blackford was facing much stiffer competition Saturday evening vs Eastern Hancock. The Royals jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, defeating the Bruins 57-32. The Bruins JV is now 3-3 overall and will play Tuesday night at Delta. Here are the stats from Junior Varsity:
Reggie Duren - 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Kentral Toomer - 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
Eli Morgan - 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks
Jacob Dillon - 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Mason McFeely - 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals
thank you to Levi Grooms for the pictures!!
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