Head coach Brandon Hodges and the BHHS varsity boys basketball team came into Wednesday nights match-up sharing 1-1 league records with the Douglas Trojans, and both teams were determined to take home a win.
Both teams were focused on establishing a lead, and control the pace of the game, however, both teams ran on the others defense, forcing tough physical play in the paint. The physical play manifested itself under the basket with both teams physically denying a lane to the basket, as well as second chance scoring opportunities. Senior Jake Beaman #1 and Bruin center Brad Russell #55 relentlessly challenged the Trojans in the paint, each getting to the line twice in the period and leading the Bruins to an 18-8 lead after one period of play.
The Trojans, frustrated by the inside play of senior Brad Russell, shifted their focus beyond the arc, dropping three 3 pointers on their way to 13 points in the period. Russell’s 8 points led all scorers in the period with 8 hard fought points in the lane. Junior guard Uriel Cortez, #24, senior Jake Beaman #1 and Josh Serna all added to the Bruins 14 points in the period, sending the Bruins into the locker room at the half with a 32-21.
In the third period, the intensity rose to another level, as the Trojans racked up 23 points, hitting 3 of 5 from the free throw line and getting five players on the scoreboard. The third period offensive by the Trojans extended from their ability to run break opportunities off of Bruin misses. Jaron Fronckowiak #4, added 4 points as the Bruins could only add 16 points allowing the Trojans to pull within 4 points, making the score 48-44.
The Bruins did not apply a press to slow the Trojan offense for most of the game, with exception of the third period when the Bruins briefly applied a press from the Trojan back court two minutes into the third period. This set up an epic battle as the fourth period unfolded, as the Bruin and Douglas offense took the game into the paint, fearlessly driving to the basket, and getting fouled. The Bruins got to the line 9 times hitting 6 of 9. Jake Beaman, junior Josh Serna #34 and freshman guard Jaron Fronckowiak #4 continuously drove to the basket in the period, accounting for 10 of the Bruins 14 points in the period.
With time running out, Douglas upped the pace, drawing within 2 points at the midway point of the final period, but the Bruins held off the relentless Trojan attack, holding a 57-54 lead with just 2 minutes left to play. The desperate Trojan defense continued their attack, forcing two Bruin turnovers with seconds left to play, and hitting a 3 pointer with just 7 seconds to go drawing within one point, 62-61.
Coming out of the Douglas time-out, the Trojans trapped the Bruins on the inbound play, causing a Bruin turnover and allowing a Trojan 20 ft. jumper from the top of the key as time ran out, that rimmed out as the the clock hit zero, giving the Bruins the 62-61 win.
The now 2-1 Bruins will see their next action Friday night, as the 2-1 South Umpqua Lancers travel to Brookings for a 7:00pm tip-off at Bruin Arena.
