The Bruins Varsity boys basketball team took to their home floor Friday night to take on the 1-3 North Valley Knights from Grants Pass. Even though this game is just one of many pre-season matchups, the atmosphere like the teams, was high energy as both teams clearly wanted to walk off the court winners.
The first period started off with the Knights jumping out to an early lead working the ball around their offensive end, getting the ball to the open shooter on the outside and sinking 3’s.
The Bruins held their own, patiently playing defense and forcing the Knights to the perimeter. The Knights dropped four 3’s in the first period accounting for 12 of their 16 points in the first quarter and taking a 14-16 lead after one period of play.
The Bruins were patient on the boards with #10 Jason Vanginderen working hard in the paint getting the tough rebounds and putting the ball back on the rim in a crowded key. Senior guard Austin Fronckowiak #2 led all Bruin scorers with 10 points at the half, however, North Valley would take a 24-28 lead into the locker room at the halftime break.
Bruin Coach Buell Gonzales took full advantage of the halftime break making defensive adjustments that turned the tables on the Knights in the second half only allowing North Valley 6 points in the third quarter.
The Bruins cut off the outside shooters of the Knights, forcing them into the paint for interior shots. The adjustment closed off the paint while pushing North Valley inside the 3 point line, denying open 3 point shots and forcing mid-range jumpers of which the Knights only hit three.
The Knights hit for only six points in the third quarter, allowing the Bruins to close the gap and setting up senior guard Eli Mills #3 to hit a buzzer-beating 3 pointer to put the Bruins up by three at the end of the third quarter.
The Bruin defense continued into the fourth period, holding North Valley to just 8 points in the fourth period and only 14 points in the second half.
The Bruins broke out for 29 points in the second half, led by #2 senior guard Austin Fronckowiak who led all scorers in the game with 16 points and senior guard #3 Eli Mills with 10 points in the game. Both hit for 4 points each to close out the fourth quarter and the game.
The Bruins would stretch their lead to 11 points and then kill the clock in the final moments of the game and take the 53-42 win. The Bruins will be at home again Tuesday evening December 11th, as the Bruins host the Bandon Tigers.
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