The Bruin boys varsity basketball team was on the road Tuesday evening, traveling to Sutherlin to take on the 2-3 Bulldogs. With both teams reeling from losses in their last outings, both teams were looking for a win to get their 2021 season back on track.
Two teams still shaking off the basketball rust of a long off-season took sometime to get their offenses in the game as both teams struggled to get a hoop in the first. Brookings-Harbor had four shooters on the scoreboard led by Jake Beaman who hit a 3-pointer.
Trailing 9-13 to start the 2nd period, the Bruin defense continued to be tough on the Bulldogs, holding Sutherlin to 0 points after the Bulldogs went 0 for 2 at the freethrow line. The Bruins were led by senior guard Harold Soule #23 who hit two buckets for 4 of the Bruins 8 points in the period giving the Bruins a 17-13 lead at the half.
Opening the 3rd, leading by 4, the Bruins defense only allowed 3 Bulldog shooters to score, allowing only 8 points. But the Bruin offense struggled to get the ball in the net. Senior Oggie Badger #25 led the way hitting from the outside for 3 and then hitting in the lane for a bucket, senior Kayson Christensen hit a 3 pointer as the Bruins matched the Bulldogs 8 points in period.
Trailing 21-25 to start the 4th, the Bulldog offense pressed the Bruins on offense and ran on the Bruins defense. 5 Sutherlin shooters scored in the 4th, hitting three 3 pointers racked up 23 points to take a 43-45 lead on the Bruins after 3 periods. The Bruins center Brad Russell led the Bruins in the fourth, hitting a basket and going 2 for 4 from the line, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Bruins would drop their second game in a row, 30-44.
Talking with coach Hodges after the game he said “the boys played much better defense tonight than we have played all year, we were playing short-handed and we just ran out of gas in the 4th…they worked hard and I’m proud of their effort tonight.”
The Bruins will be home Thursday as they host the 0-4 South Umpqua Lancers at 5:30pm looking to start a new win streak at home.
