After dropping the season opener to the Challengers of Cascade Christian last Friday evening, Bruin head coach Jess Beaman and his 6-9 Bruin boys basketball team looked to right the ship and re-set the seasons course.
The Bruins came out running, determined to set the pace and get themselves on the scoreboard early. In the first period the Bruins got five players in the scoring column led by Bruins senior center Jason Vanginderen #10, who established the low post early hitting 4 baskets for 8 of the Bruins 19 first quarter points in the paint.
The Bruin defense held the Trojans to 11 points in the first period while the offense continued to pound the ball into the key into the second period. As the Bruins relentlessly worked the ball into the lane the Trojans were forced to foul to slow the Bruin offense. The Bruins went to the line 14 times in the second, hitting the free throws and going 10 of 14 from the line. Bruin forward Andrew Burger #2 led all Bruin scorers in the second period, hitting two 3’s and two free throws for 8 of the Bruins 20 points in the period.
Starting the second half with a 39-24 lead, the Bruins spread the shots out with 6 players scoring in the quarter. The Bruins rode senior guard Evan Fronckowiak #12 as he hit a 3 from outside and then scored two more baskets driving inside and getting to the line for 8 of the Bruin 19 points in the quarter. But again it was the Bruin defense that set the tone, holding the Trojan offense to just 12 points and extending their lead to a 58-36 lead after 3 quarters.
Going into the fourth period with a 22 point cushion over the Douglas Trojans, the Bruins continued to work holding the Trojans to 17 points in the period while putting 22 more points on the board. Bruin junior forward Hobbes Howard #0, Andrew Burger #2, and sophomore Fabian Villa #5 all had 3’s as sophomore center Brad Russell fought for 3 baskets in the paint as the Bruins got their first league play win 80-53.
The Bruins will be on the road to Sutherlin to take on the 11-3 Bulldogs Friday evening at 5:30pm.
