Head coach Brandon Hodges and his 4-2 Bruin varsity boys basketball team were matched up with the Sutherlin Bulldogs as the regular season begins to wind down, and games become more important to possible post season play.
The Bruins wasted no time getting their offense involved, driving inside to make the most of their interior height advantage and jump out to an early lead. But the Bulldogs traded baskets with the Bruins early, staying close in the first half of the first period, trailing 7-6 at the mid way point of the first period.
With the Bulldogs keeping pace early, coach Hodges applied a full court press with 5:00 minutes to go in the first, disrupting the Bulldog backcourts ability to advance the ball out of their defensive end and get into their offense.
The Bruins capitalized on the turnover opportunities resulting from the press, as senior Jake Beaman #1, led all Bruin scorers in the first with three baskets for 6 points, and Jaren Fronckowiack #4 added 5 points including a 3 pointer as the Bruins went on to take a 16-8 lead after one period of play.
The Bruin pressure defense continued into the second period, denying the Bulldogs the ability to establish their offense, causing turnovers and Bruin fast break baskets. The Bruins added 10 points in the first four minutes of the second, Fronckowiak added another 5 points including another 3 pointer while #1 Jake Beaman, Ethan Orman #32, Josh Serna #34, and #55 Brad Russell combined to take a 31-17 lead into the locker room at the half.
In the third period the Bruin defense allowed only two Bulldog players to score for 4 points in the period, while the Bruin offense ran wild for 24 points to blow open the game and take a commanding 55-21 lead. Jake Beaman again led all Bruin scorers in the period with four baskets for 8 points. Jaren Fronckowiak added another 5 points including his third 3 pointer, while #5 Wyatt Harms, Ethan Orman #32, Brad Russell #55 and Josh Serna #34, combined for 8 points on their way to a 55-21 lead after 3 periods.
The Bruins would go on to add another 11 points in the fourth period to extend their lead to 36 points and go on to take the convincing 66-30 win.
The now 5-2 Bruins will be at home for their next match-up Tuesday evening at 5:30pm, taking on the Cascade Christian Challengers who handed the Bruins their first loss of the 2022 season in Medford earlier in the season.
