Coach Fulton and his AZ Bruin boys basketball team faced off with Bandon Thursday evening after a win over Riley Creek of Gold Beach on Monday.
The AZ Bruins featured their defense early with a full court press off the tip, frustrating the Bandon offense early in the game. Five AZ Bruins scored in the first period led by #43 Ethan Orman who hit for 6 points from two baskets and two freethrows. Evan Orman #45 followed with two baskets and a freethrow for 5 points and Kyler Christensen #25 hit a 3 pointer as the AZ Bruins broke out to a 18-6 lead after the AZ Bruin defense allowed only 6 points in the first.
With a big lead to start the second, Bandon had no answer for Evan Orman #45 who unloaded for 10 points off of 5 baskets from in the paint. As the AZ Bruin defense again held Bandon in check, Michael Fulton #33 used his height on the inside to sink three mid-range jumpers for 6 points as the AZ Bruins put 22 points up in the second taking a 40-17 lead into the half-time break.
Michael Fulton #33 was big inside for 6 points in the second. With a sizeable 23 point lead to start the second half, Coach Fulton called off the dogs and lifted the press, but Bandon just cold not find a hot hand, and a stubborn AZ Defense allowed on one Bandon player on the scoreboard in the period.
The half court defense by the AZ Bruins slowed Azalea scoring as fast breaks from turnovers were not as prevalent. But the AZ Bruins continued to put up points as four AZ Bruins put together 8 points in the third.
Now leading 56-22, six AZ Bruins scored in the final quarter. #43 Ethan Orman, Blake Delaney #31 and #30 Michael Estes all hit from behind the arc for 3 as the AZ Bruins went on to take the win.
Talking with Coach Fulton after the game he told us “The kids played well tonight,” he said, “We saw some combinations that are beginning to click. We enjoyed the energy out there and the kids are starting to look for teammates to succeed, which is showing great growth.”
