The Buchholz Bobcats came into the game 3-2, on a 2-game losing streak, and were set to play their 4th game in the span of 7 days. The Trenton Tigers came into the game 4-1, on a 4-game winning streak, and were on 6 days of rest. The Bobcats were also without Head Ball Coach Elliot Harris, as Assistant Coach Eric McTureous has taken over the reins while Harris is away, and they are playing their archrivals, the Gainesville Hurricanes Friday Night. All of these things combined, created one of the trappiest trap games that there could be. Despite how much of a trap game it was, the Cats were able to cruise to a rather comfortable victory over the Tigers Thursday Night.
The 4th quarter did get a little hairy for the Bobcats however, as interim Head Coach Eric McTureous unloaded the bench allowing his starters to get much needed rest as the five on the floor consisted of Kaydin Dix, Matthew Johnson, Jacob Rosenberg, Nard McFadden, and Charles “The Klaw” Klodell. Johnson and McFadden both made their season debuts as they’ve just been able to join the team this week after the Bobcats Football season ended last Friday. While the bench did play very quality basketball, Trenton was able to weasel the Bobcat lead down to single digits, which enabled Coach McTureous to bring his starters back in where they put an end to the Tiger comeback and stretched the lead back up to 18.
The Bobcats scoring was very well rounded in the win, as all 5 starters for Buchholz scored 6+ points and 2 bench players chipped in scoring 9 points combined. Senior Guard and Captain Peyton Warring led the Cats in scoring with 15 points, making it 4 straight games scoring in double digits for Warring. Junior Guards Lucas Bhatia and Ezra Olmedo also reached double digits with 13 and 12 points respectively. Sophomore Forward and Guard, Jacob Bromirski and Hitman Howard each tallied 7 points a piece. To finish out the scoring, Junior Forwards Jamison McTureous and Evan Walker had 6 and 2 points respectively.
Buchholz’s scoring wasn’t what won them the game though, the Bobcats dominated from the perspective of playmaking. They totaled 16 assists to Trenton’s 9, and they only turned the ball over 5 times to Trenton’s 18. Active hands from Hitman, Olmedo, and Warring led to each of them racking up 3 steals, while offensively they all dished out multiple assists while not turning the ball over a single time.
As mentioned earlier, Buchholz will be back in action again as they host GHS Friday Night in what should be a highly contested bout. The Bobcats swept the regular season series vs the Canes last year, but G got their get back in the District Championship in a heartbreaker. The game will be very hype and the crowd will be deep so be sure to get there early, pack the Bud, and wear black.
Bobcat Stat Leaders
***THE STATS I AM PRESENTING ARE UNOFFICIAL AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY CORRECT***
Points – Peyton Warring(15), Lucas Bhatia(13), Ezra Olmedo(12)
Rebounds – Ezra Olmedo(7), Jamison McTureous(7), Davarian “Hitman” Howard(5)
Assists – Ezra Olmedo(4), Lucas Bhatia(3), Jacob Bromirski(3), Davarian “Hitman” Howard(2), Peyton Warring(2)
Steals – Davarian “Hitman” Howard(3), Peyton Warring(3), Ezra Olmedo(3), Lucas Bhatia(2), Jamison McTureous(2)
Blocks – Jacob Bromirski(2), Davarian “Hitman” Howard(1), Ezra Olmedo(1)
3 Pointers Made – Peyton Warring(2), Lucas Bhatia(1), Jacob Bromirski(1)
Team Stats
FG% – Buchholz(47%), Trenton(34%)
3P% – Buchholz(27%), Trenton(29%)
FT% – Buchholz(78%), Trenton(69%)
Rebounds – Buchholz(27), Trenton(25)
Offensive Rebounds – Buchholz(6), Trenton(8)
Assists – Buchholz(16), Trenton(9)
Fouls – Buchholz(14), Trenton(17)
Steals – Buchholz(15), Trenton(2)
Blocks – Buchholz(4), Trenton(6)
Turnovers- Buchholz(5), Trenton(18)
