Head coach Brandon Hodges and his BHHS varsity boys were on the road Monday night to take on the North Bend Bulldogs in their last non-league contest with the rest of the regular season beginning Friday at home against the Sutherlin Bulldogs.
The Sutherlin Bulldogs started the game dropping into a 2-3 defense, content to match the Bruin offense, and jumping out to a 7-13 lead midway through the first period play. Coach Hodges sent his Bruins out to the floor in an aggressive man to man defense, to slow the Bulldog offense and get the Bruin offense involved early.
The five Bruin starters all got on the scoreboard with senior center #55 Brad Russell leading the way with 7 points. The Bulldogs also hit their shots early on, also getting their five starters involved offensively taking a 16-22 lead after the first period of play.
The Bruin man to man defense was very effective in the second period of play, shutting down the Bulldogs offense allowing only two North Bend shooters on the scoreboard and holding the Bulldogs to just 6 points in the first four minutes of the second period. The Bruin offense took advantage of the Bulldog scoring slump, getting into the paint and hitting 7 of 13 from the free throw line.
Coming out of the half-time break leading by one, 29-28, the Bruins defense turned up the intensity, shutting the Bulldog offense down again in the third period, allowing only 9 North Bend points in the quarter, giving the Bruins an opportunity to extend their lead. 5 of the Bulldog’s 9 points came in the first half of the third period, as the Bruins extended the gap to 36-33 at the midway point of the third. Freshman guard, Jaren Fronckowiak #4 led the Bruins with three baskets for 6 points in the period, as the Bruins took a 48-37 lead into the final period of play.
North Bend’s shooting woes continued into the fourth period and attempted to get to the free throw line with some success getting 3 of their 12 fourth period points at the line. Junior guard Jeremy Green #3 got on the scoreboard for the Bruins in the fourth, hitting 2 of 2 from the line. Senior center Brad Russell led all scorers in the final period of play with three baskets and 6 points, leading the way for a 58-49 Bruin win.
Regular season play resumes this Friday for both the boys and girls basketball teams as the Sutherlin Bulldogs travel to Brookings starting at 5:30pm at Bruin Arena.
