Stanton defense stifles Essex in win
Stanton used a stifling defensive effort to limit Essex to 22 percent shooting and a season-low in points in a 53-23 win on the road Friday in Corner Conference boys basketball.
The Vikings (1-1) led 21-12 at the half and blew the game open with a 20-4 third quarter run.
Brodee Sowers led Stanton with 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Wyatt Roberts added 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The Trojans (0-3) could never quite find their rhythm on offense.
“We were a little gassed from last night,” said Essex coach Ray Baker. “We had a couple young kids score the ball for the first time.”
Essex was paced by Isaiah Sholes’ eight points and 11 rebounds.
Heartland Christian 44,
Essex 40
Essex missed two late shots that would have tied the game and Heartland Christian escaped with a 44-40 win in non-conference boys basketball Thursday.
The Trojans got down 29-21 at the half before rallying to cut the lead to two in waning seconds. A pair of good looks by Damien Arandanas both rattled out.
“Our free throw shooting needs to get better; we shot 2-of-18 from the free throw line tonight,” said Essex coach Ray Baker.
For the game, the Trojans shot 19-of-59 from the field (32 percent), including 0-of-19 from behind the arc.
Isaiah Sholes had a big night for Essex, pouring in 25 points and pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking two shots. Arandanas added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Sam Gray paced Heartland Christian with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Bedford 58,
Stanton 32
Quentin Dalton scored 23 points to lead Bedford to a 58-32 win over Stanton in the season-opener for both teams last Tuesday.
Hayden Riedel chipped in 11 points for Bedford.
Brodee Sowers had 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead Stanton.
Sidney 46,
Essex 36
Sidney knocked off Essex 46-36 in the season-opener for both teams in Corner Conference boys basketball last Tuesday.
The Trojans had a rough night shooting the ball – 13-of-52 from the field – and turned the ball over 16 times in loss.
“We played hard,” said Essex coach Ray Baker. “We have a couple starters playing banged up. But, overall, I’m happy with the effort, disappointed in the result.”
Isaiah Sholes led the Trojans with 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. Damien Aradanas added 13 points and eight rebounds.
Aiden Stenzel put in 15 points and Carter Jorgenson 13 points.