Vanginderen Pounds St. Bernard’s Inside and Hits for 20

January 28, 2019

basketball_01_28_19 — Center Jason Vanginderen #33 physically beat up St. Bernard's in the paint and led all scorers with 20 points.

On Saturday afternoon fans of BHHS varsity boys basketball got a special treat when the Bruins played a non-league game. After the tough 1 point loss to the Challengers the night before a tired Bruin team stepped on the hardwood looking no worse the wear and played 32 minutes of hustle basketball.

Forward Logan Holler #1 continues to be an offensive threat as he hits the reverse for 2 of his 18 points.

The St. Bernard Crusaders made the long drive from Eureka to take on the Bruins in a rare Saturday afternoon of hoops. The Crusaders, 3-2 in California North Coast Division 6 league play brought a strong team to Bruins Arena and both teams battled back and forth throughout the first period. Behind a combined 8 points combined from the play of both sophomore forward Logan Holler, who enjoys breaking down the defense at the perimeter and then driving to the basket, and junior center Jason Vanginderen who is just power under the hoop, the Bruins and the Crusaders were tied at 14-14 after the first period.

The return of guard Austin Fronckowiak #2 after his ankle injury has added stability to the Bruin offense.

In the second period, the Bruins spread the ball around, and the scoring as well. Six Bruins got on the board as senior Brig Schofield led the way with two 3’s, and a basket for 8 points, followed by another strong period from Vanginderen with 6 tough points inside. Austin Fronckowiak hit his first 3 and a bucket for his 5 points as the Bruins built a 13 point gap putting up 26 points while holding the Crusaders to just 13 points at the break.

Senior forward Brig Schofield #32 hitting from the corner for one of his three 3’s and 14 points.

After the halftime break, the Crusaders made a defensive adjustment to stop the driving to the basket that hurt them in the second period and relied on their outside shooting. Both teams played tough defense setting the tone for the fourth period, but the Crusaders had no answer for Vanginderen who continued to outwork St. Benard’s big men in the paint. Austin Fronckowiak hit another 3 pointer as both teams held each other to just 10 points each in the third.

Senior forward Luke Beaman #0 getting to the hoop for a lay-up late in the fourth.

But the fourth period the Bruin defense stiffened and held the Crusaders to just 7 points in the period. After three quarters of Vanginderen beating up and softening the St. Bernard’s inside defenders, Bruin forward Logan Holler took to breaking the defense down from the outside the key again, and driving to the hoop. The Crusaders had no answer and fouled at will sending Holler to the line 4 times where Holler went a perfect 4 for 4 and hit two baskets for his 8 points in the period. Vanginderen hit two baskets and went 2 for 2 from the line. Senior forward Luke Beaman hit for 4 points in the fourth as the Bruins went on to collect the 72-46 win.