The Azalea Bruins 8th grade boys spent their weekend in Crescent City participating in the Epperson Memorial basketball tournament.
In their first matchup Friday night, the AZ Bruins took on Jacoby Creek Panthers, the same Panther team they matched up against in the first round of the tournament the previous week. In that contest, the AZ Bruins lost to the Panthers 55-59, but in this tournament opener, the Panthers had no answer for Bruins Jake Beaman who put up 27 points in the game off of 9 baskets, two 3 pointers and going 3 of 6 from the line. Fabian Villa #15 had 11 points in the contest from 4 buckets and going 3 of 8 from the free throw line.
The Bruins would go on to defeat Jacoby Creek 53-44 and face a tough McKinleyville squad at 11:30 am the following morning. In the Saturday morning contest, the Bruins struggled to get into a rhythm as only five players would get into the scoring column. Again Jake Beaman #45 led all scorers in the contest with 20 points, from five baskets, two 3 pointers, and 4 free throws. Seth Broberg #23 hit two 3 pointers in the contest and Brad Russell #42 hit 3 baskets and 2 free throws for 8 points. Both teams hit for 41 points in regulation sending the game into overtime where McKinleyville would hold the AZ Bruins scoreless while hitting 2 free throws and take the win 43-41 in overtime.
Coach Fulton, in what he referred to as a “Heart Breaker” said “we were down by 10 and stormed back and Seth Broberg hit a game-tying three with 1.7 seconds left. OT was very tight and down 2 points with seconds left we missed a 3 to win it. I was very proud of how they played.”
In their third and final game, they matched up with the Crescent Elk. Fabian Villa #15 picked up the Bruins in this game leading all AZ Bruin scorers with 18 points. Villa hit 3 baskets, three 3 pointers and hit 3 of 6 from the line. Jake Beaman followed in the scoring column with 10 points off of four baskets and 2 of 6 free throws. Bruins would fall to the Crescent Elk 34-44. The AZ Bruins will meet the Crescent Elk again this Thursday at home, “we will make some adjustments and what happens” said Coach Fulton.
The Azalea Bruins 8th grade boys Jake Beaman #45 scored 57 points in his three appearances over the weekend and took home All Tournament honors.
In other Azalea Bruins basketball news, Coach Jess Beaman’s 7th-grade boys won their division in the tournament with three 7th grade players #34 Josh Serna, Kyle Burger, and Kallen Christiansen #24 taking home All Tournament honors.
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