The BRLD Boys are winless in their last three games, losing 69-40 at North Bend Central in the East Husker Conference Tournament Semifinals Friday night, 76-60 to Oakland-Craig in the third place game on Saturday at Central Community College in Columbus, and 53-48 at Wisner-Pilger Tuesday night.
In the North Bend Centra Game, the Tigers got out to a 21-6 lead at the end of one before winning the second quarter 10-7 to take a 31-13 lead into the locker room.
The Wolverines put up 16 points in the third quarter compared to 15 for North Bend Central to make it a 46-29 game at the end of three.
The Tigers outscored BRLD 23-11 in the fourth quarter.
The Wolverines were paced by Kenyan Lovejoy, who had 14 points, all in the second half. Cole Christofferson chipped in 13.
Head Coach Cory Meyer. "We couldn't get any steals. They kept on driving us. They just did whatever they wanted. Our guys just didn't talk defensively. We didn't match up well."
Meyer on the loss. "We just got our butts kicked. Plain and simple. North Bend's got one heck of a team. They're big, they're fast, and they can shoot. And you can do that and you can play good defense like they do, then they're just a good ball team."
The Knights held a 19-15 lead on BRLD at the end of one. Both teams scored 16 points in the second quarter, and the score at halftime was 35-31 in favor of Oakland-Craig.
The Knights blew things wide open in the third quarter, outscoring the Wolverines 28-11 to lead 63-42 at the end of three.
BRLD won the fourth quarter 18-13.
Lovejoy led the way with 12 points while Jaxon Johnson and Aaron Ras totaled 9 apiece. Montana Riecken added 8 points and 10 rebounds.
BRLD led Wisner-Pilger 12-11 at the end of one before the Gators outscored them 11-6 in the second quarter to take a 22-18 lead into the locker room.
The Wolverines got back into the game in the third quarter, putting up 16 points compared to 13 for Wisner-Pilger to make it a 35-34 game at the end of three.
It was to no avail though as the Gators won the fourth quarter 18-14 to make up the final score.
Riecken finished with a game-high 17 points for BRLD while Ras and Lovejoy totaled 12 and 11, respectively.
Meyer on the loss. "They came out to play and we didn't. It's unfortunate. We've got to be able to score. If we're going to beat teams we've got to be able to score, and we're just not doing that. The other thing is turnovers. Just dumb turnovers. Throwing the ball into the stands when there's a player not even there, or throwing it and there's a guy sitting there in their passing lane who's throwing right into their hands. And turnovers was an issue."
The Wolverines (13-9) look to get back on track Friday night with a home win over Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (15-5).
The Raiders won 51-38 at Clarkson/Leigh Tuesday night.
LV/SS has beaten Oakland-Craig twice, and some might think that isn't a good sign for BRLD, but I think the Wolverines actually matchup better with the Raiders than they do the Knights.
LV/SS is more a slow it down, defensive team, as opposed to high flying and running like Oakland-Craig, and I think that's more in BRLD's favor.
The Wolverines must get a complete team effort and play well Friday night though.
This is BRLD's last chance at a statement win prior to Sub-Districts.
If the Wolverines want to knock off Ponca and get to a district final and eventually state, they have to be able to compete with and beat a team like the Raiders.
BRLD has to get physical with Ben Moxness down low, and try and force other players besides him and Jacob Polk to beat them.
If the Wolverines can limit Moxness and Polk they could very well win, but LV/SS is at their best when those two get their points.
BRLD has to play with heart and character Friday night. The Wolverines have to dig deep and find some will within to play well.
Not a lot is going BRLD's way right now, and the only ones that can change the Wolverines' fortunes is the team.
BRLD has to come out angry, fired up, tenacious, aggressive, and tough.
The Wolverines have to play smart basketball too, but be willing to leave it all out on the floor as well.
The BRLD Girls are 1-1 in their last two games, defeating West Point-Beemer 52-46 in an East Husker Conference Tournament Consolation Game at Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family last Thursday night. and losing 60-41 at Wisner-Pilger Tuesday night.
The Wolverines led the Cadets 13-7 after one before West Point-Beemer outscored BRLD 13-9 in the second quarter to make it a 22-20 game at halftime in favor of the Wolverines.
BRLD won the third quarter 17-14 to go up 39-34 at the end of three and put up 13 points in the fourth quarter compared to 12 for the Cadets.
Lexie Bacon had a game-high 19 points while Vicki Gatzemeyer and Tiahna Bonneau totaled 9 and 8, respectively. Paige Peters chipped in 8 rebounds.
Wisner-Pilger led 16-12 at the end of one before doubling up the Wolverines 8-4 in the second quarter to take a 24-16 lead into the locker room.
The Gators won the third quarter 18-14 to go up 42-30 at the end of three.
Wisner-Pilger outscored BRLD 18-11 in the fourth quarter to make up the final score.
Gatzemeyer had a team-high 11 points for the Wolverines while Kelly Wakeley notched 9.
Head Coach Rod Peters says the shots just didn't fall. "When you rely on your scoring to hit the three, and it doesn't drop, unfortunately then you sag in on the defense, and unfortunately not a lot of good things happen."
BRLD (14-8) hosts Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (5-14) in the regular season finale Friday night.
The Raiders lost 54-33 at Clarkson/Leigh Tuesday night.
This is a game one would think the Wolverines should have a pretty easy time winning, but given the way BRLD played against the Gators, you never know.
One thing the Wolverines have done a good job of this season is scoring a lot of points against the teams they're supposed to beat.
BRLD has lit up the scoreboard at times this year, and I think that's something they can do again Friday night.
The Wolverines need a big win in a big way to get back on track prior to Sub-Districts, and I think anything less than a blowout would have to be a bit discouraging for BRLD.
The Wolverines need to respond and play well Friday night given what transpired Tuesday night.
I think BRLD is a team trying to rediscover themselves a little bit, and feel the Wolverines are more than capable of getting back on track by beating LV/SS.
BRLD has to play well defensively, limiting the likes of Kayee Boyle, Morgan Morgan, Ashley Peters, Mackenzy Schreck, Abby Kahlandt, and Sierra Beacom.
More important than that perhaps though is getting their scorers going.
Bacon, Wakeley, Gatzemeyer, Tess Nottleman, Peters, Bonneau, and others need to step up their games for the Wolverines in a big way.
BRLD is capable of reaching a district final at the very least as they knocked off Ponca and Omaha Nation in the regular season, but the Wolverines have to play with a sense of urgency and purpose Friday night.
BRLD has to get fired up and be loud and proud against the Raiders.
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