The Bruin varsity boys basketball team was on the road to Medford Thursday to take on the 3-4 Cascade Christian Challengers. With head coach Brandon Hodges bringing a very young team on the road to get playing time, the Bruin boys continue to rebuild as the season progresses.
Junior center Brad Russell #10 established himself in the paint early for the Bruins, hitting for 6 of the Bruins 13 points in the period. Josh Serna #42, hit a basket and Kayson Christensen hit from beyond the arc for 3. But the Challengers were too much in the first period, putting up 28 points, taking a 15 point lead.
Serna challenged the Cascade Christian defense, driving the lane to the hoop, forcing the Challenger defense to foul, sending Serna to the foul line 4 times. Serna went 4 for 4 from the line as Russell hit two more baskets and Jake Beaman #1 scored 4 points.
Trailing 29-49 after the half, the Challenger defense shut down the Bruins in the 3rd period, allowing only three Bruins to score in the period. The Challenger offense also hit for 17 in the period, extending their lead late in the game. .
In the final period Jake Beaman’s 6 points were not enough to lead the Bruins back as Russell and Oggie Badger #25 scored in the 4th period. Beaman led the Bruins in scoring hitting for 15 points off of 7 baskets and a free throw, followed by Brad Russell #10 with 14 points in the paint. Serna had 8 points, 4 of those from the free-throw line and Oggie Badger had 6 points as the Bruins dropped their second game in a row.
The Bruins will host the 3-4 Sutherlin Bulldogs Tuesday.
