Head Coach Jason Fulton and his Azalea Bruin 8th grade boys basketball team, with wins over Marshfield and Riley Creek behind them, stepped onto the hardwood Tuesday night at AMS Arena to take on Crescent Elk A.
Coach Fulton pressed Crescent Elk A early frustrating the Crescent Elk offense, forcing turnovers and tough shots. Ethan Orman #43 broke out early for the AZ Bruins, hitting four baskets and a freethrow for 9 of the AZ Bruins 20 points in the quarter. The AZ Bruins had five players in the score book in the first period, as the defense held Crescent Elk to just 8 points.
In the second period Crescent Elk stiffened defensively and put together 13 points of offense in the quarter led by #5 who hit for 10 points in the period. The Crescent Elk defense held the AZ Bruins to just 9 points in the second period.
Led by Jaylen Monkman #40, the AZ Bruins only put two players on the scoreboard in the second. Jaylen Monkman hit three buckets and a freethrow for 7 of the AZ Bruins 9 points in the period as the AZ Bruins took a 29-21 lead into the halftime break.
After the halftime break, Coach Fulton drew up the full court press after Crescent Elk pulled within 8 points. The AZ Bruin press was unforgiving, and Crescent Elk had a difficult time getting the ball over the time line as well as setting up any offense. The AZ Bruin press allowed only one Crescent Elk 3 point basket in the period.
The AZ Bruin offense capitalized on turnovers and rebounds and ran on Crescent Elk in the 3rd period. Austen Dietrich #20 and Evan Orman #45 led the way for the AZ Bruins with Dietrich hitting a 3 pointer and two baskets for 7 points, while Orman hit three buckets for 6 points. Wyatt Harms #32 and Mike Fulton #33 both had baskets in the quarter as the AZ Bruins put up 20 points extending their lead to 49-24 going into the final period.
In the fourth, Michael Estes #30, Mike Fulton #33, Colton Hill #41 and Ethan Orman #43 all had buckets in the fourth as the AZ Bruins went on
to take a 58-35 win.
“I was very pleased with the way the boys played tonight, they are gaining trust in each other.” Coach Fulton said after the game. “We have been working on the little things, the mental aspects of the game are important to learn. Perseverance is the Key!” He went on to say.
