The Blackford Bruins Basketball program hosted Bluffton High School last evening for their season home opener. The Bruins were coming off a season opening loss on the road at Southwood High School, falling 74-67. Blackford would be looking to bounce back to even their record through their first two games of the season. The Bruins match-up, the Bluffton Tigers are a longstanding non-conference rivalry on the hardwood, as teams have played 37 times over the last 35 years, with Bluffton winning 19 of the 37 contests.
The Bluffton Tigers were able to dominate the first quarter vs the Bruins, jumping out to a 7-2 lead after the first quarter, as the Bruins could not put the ball in the basket vs a stifling half court man to man defense by the Tigers. The first couple minutes of the 2nd quarter was more of the same, as the Bruins struggled to score and Bluffton extended the lead to 9-2 before the Bruins caught fire. Senior guard Kian Wells started a Bruins onslaught from behind the 3-point line. Wells drained his first 3-pointer with about 6:30 remaining in the 2nd quarter, as Junior Jacob Leas joined in on the fun draining a 3-pointer on the following possession. The Bruins were able to get a stop leading to Wells draining another 3-pointer, a quick 9 points, but the Bruins were not finished. Junior Jacob Leas followed Wells lead on the next possession draining another 3-pointer, four straight possessions the Bruins drilled four 3-pointers from guards Wells and Leas. Blackford was not finished as the very next possession Sophomore Mason Kitterman drained a 3-pointer from the top of the floor to give the Bruins made 3-pointers on five straight possessions. A couple minutes passed, before Wells drilled his 3rd 3-pointer of the half to help extend the lead. Wells was the best player on the floor last night, seeming to be all over the floor on both ends, showing his entire arsenal. He displayed ELITE on the ball defense, pressuring Bluffton's guards the entire game, leading to a game lead 6 deflections and 3 steals. Needless to say, behind strong 3-point shooting and stifling pressure defense, the Bruins were able to secure the lead and take a double digit (25-13) lead into half-time.
The Bruins entered the 2nd half with complete confidence, due to the hot shooting in the 2nd quarter, as they were able to maintain a 8 to 12 point lead for the majority of the 2nd half. Junior Gage Baker helped the Bruins hold off any charges from Bluffton in the 2nd half, joining the fun from behind the 3-point line, drilling two 3-pointers of his own and have a nice put back on a fastbreak lay-up attempt from Wells. Senior guard Ethan Morris displayed strong defensive skills throughout the game and solid passing leading to 5 assists as he works his way back to form, but Wells stole the show for basically the entire night, having a breakout performance offensively and defensively. Wells drilled his 4th 3-pointer later in the 2nd half to help put an end to any aspirations of a run being made by Bluffton. Senior Vince Oxley was once again solid inside for the Bruins, grabbing rebounds, playing physical defense (coming up with 3 steals) and displaying solid passing leading to multiple made 3-pointers from Oxley's passing.
The Bruins defeated the Tigers 51-40 to even the longstanding rivalry at 19 wins apiece between the two schools over the last 35 years. The Bruins will now turn to Saturday night, as they travel on the road to face the Blue River Vikings. The Junior Varsity will tip off at 6:00 pm, with the Varsity following right after the JV game.
Stats from the Varsity game:
Kian Wells - 19 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals and four 3-pointers
Jacob Leas - 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal and two 3-pointers
Gage Baker - 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and two 3-pointers
Mason Kitterman - 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and two 3-pointers
Vince Oxley - 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assissts and 3 steals
Ethan Morris - 2 points, 4 assists and 1 steal
In Junior Varsity action, the Bruins fell 43 - 28, as the Bruins struggled to put the ball in the basket for the majority of the game. Blackford's Junior Varsity will look to rebound Saturday night at Blue River, as the JV is still looking for their first win on the young season.
Stats for Junior Varsity Game:
Kentral Toomer - 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals
Jacob Dillon - 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Eli Morgan - 6 points, 1 rebound
Reggie Duren - 5 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
Ryan Gorrell - 5 points
Mason McFeely - 0 points, 1 assist, 4 steals
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