ETHS Boys Basketball defeated a big and physical GBS team 65–43 in a solid win. The Kits have now not lost a competitive game at home in almost two years, making Beardsley arguably the hardest place to go and play in the state. The Titans never really looked like putting a dent into the Kits’ home record, as the home team dominated throughout.
“I thought our guys played super hard tonight. A lot of times a team that was as physical as they were can really frustrate you, but we did an amazing job playing through that physicality and pressure,” praised Head Coach Mike Ellis.
The game got off to an extremely offensive start. Junior Forward Vito Rocca hit a spin move on senior Anthony Dragicevic, and then laid it in to give the Kits the first points of the game. The Titans would respond with a three, and a layup from 6’8” junior forward Jacob Fuller to make it 5–2 a minute and a half into the game. Senior Timi Ogunsanya would then dispossess Dragicevic and finished to give the Kits a momentary lead, that would not last long as Dragicevic would respond with a deep three. Ellis would then take a timeout down 9–8 halfway into the first quarter. The Kits came flying out of the timeout as junior Tate Schroeder got a steal before dunking the ball to get Kits fans out of their seats and sparking what would be a 10–0 Kits run to end the quarter.
“I think that we were quickly able to become more aware of their game, their screens, and were able to lock them down in the paint,” said Ellis.
The second quarter would be a tight one as both defenses settled into the game. The Kits would end up going into the break holding a 34–20 lead.
Junior Dion Lane Jr. and Schroeder played big roles to help extend the Kits’ lead to 43–25 late in the third quarter, appearing to put the game to bed. The Titans, however, would not go down with senior Anthony Nottage and 6’7” sophomore Hunter Thiel contributing triples to cut the Kits’ lead down to 11 with the score being 49–38 with six minutes to go. Lane Jr. sunk a corner three to break the Titans’ momentum. Schroeder and Rocca combined for a pair of buckets to firmly secure the win for the Kits.
Lane Jr. finished as the Kits’ top scorer dropping 21, with the Kits well outshooting the Titans 60% to 48% from the field. The Kits also forced 18 turnovers, six of which were offensive fouls.
The Kits now look ahead to the Centralia Holiday Tournament, a competition they lost last year in the final against the hosts on a last-second buzzer beater.
