By Bill Bray
OREGON – It was the tale of two halves at Oregon Clay High School Friday night as Fremont Ross had the better second half to defeat the Eagles 61-50 for their season’s first TRAC win.
“It was a tough night. Clay played hard. I think they are definitely getting better,” coach John Cahill said. “While we struggled at times in this game. But I was proud of our kids for having the guts to hang in there. I feel like we got the first quarter handed to us, but then we pretty much took over the final three.”
The first half and particular the first quarter was dominated by Clay’s senior guard Ben Jones. Jones almost single handedly led the Eagles through the first quarter to give his team an 18-14 advantage at the buzzer. Jones connected for 13 of his team’s 18 points including two ‘threes’.
The Little Giants showed more consistency with their scoring in the first two quarters of play. After their 14 first-quarter points, Ross connecter for 13 in the second quarter. Helping Ross maintain and equal level of play were Anthony Vann who accumulated eight points during the first 16 minutes. Labronze Barnett had seven over the stretch and Carter Rodriguez also added seven of his own. Oregon Clay’s pace slowed as they collected only eight second quarter points giving the Little Giants a 27-26 lead at the break.
Clay came out in the third quarter and used three makes from beyond the arc plus four points from junior Marcus Rahm to account for their 13 third-quarter point.
In the third quarter Ross’ Ayden Carter did for Ross what Ben Jones had done for Clay early in the game. The junior scored 10 of his teams 21 third quarter points, including one of his patented dunks. Others were contributing as Kurt Harrison played strong in the post adding just three points but had some assists and rebounds for the Giants.
“We got the ball in the post a little more in the second half,” Cahill added. “We defended better and got some offense off our defense, and I felt like that was a big key for us tonight.”:
Carter continued to be the scoring machine in the fourth quarter as he scored nine of Ross’ 13 points to lead the purple and white to their first TRAC win.
Statistically it was, again, a tale of two halves. Ross was led by Carter who after scored just two points in the first half, exploded for 19 in the second half to lead all scorers with 21 points. Carter Rodriguez finished with 11 while Labronze Barnett contributed with nine points. Kurt Harrison and Anthony Vann had eight apiece. Bryson Hammer, still nursing a sore thumb, finished with four. The Little Giants were still a bit cool from the foul line connecting on 7 of 14. “We took a step back in free throw shooting. We have been working on that and didn’t shoot as welk and that made it a little tough on us,” Cahill continued “but again, we got in a lot of foul trouble early but came back from that and found a way to win. It’s a TRAC win, and we will take it and go home and get ready for Tiffin tomorrow.”
The Giants will travel south on route 53 to take on the Tornadoes Saturday night. Game time for the varsity is 7:30.
Labronze Barnett kept the Giants in the game during the first half of play.
Ayden Carter took control during the second half crashing the boards and making plays.
Anthony Vann played another solid game at both ends of the court.
Kurt Harrison gave Ross big minutes, mostly during the second half of play.