Owensboro vs. Ballard

The first game of yesterday's session pitched the Ballard Bruins, winners of the 7th Region against the Owensboro Red Devils, champs of the 3rd. Ballard came into the Sweet 16 with one of the most explosive offenses and one of the best defenses in the state. The first quarter saw slower action than what the Bruins would have liked, but it was evident to everyone in attendance that this was going to be a fast paced game. Ballard only led 14 to 7 after eight minutes of play but the quarter was highlighted by a high rising alley opp dunk from David Stanley to Johonne Hamilton that brought the Ballard fans and band to their feet. Owensboro, to their credit, kept it tight in the second quarter as well and only trailed 30-24 at the half. After the break, Ballard used everything they had to their advantage; their depth, speed, size, talent, and athleticism. In the final 16 minutes of the game, they went on a 50-36 run to sprint to an 80 to 60 victory. Ballard used their stout defense to force 36 turnovers, an average of 1.13 turnovers per minute, a testiment of their lock-down pressure defense that has suffocated teams all season long. Ballard had four players reach double figures, three starters and one of the bench. Antiquawn Beckham led the way with 16, Hamilton had 15, Stanley gave 12, and Jamal Crook came off the bench to score ten points. Owensboro had four players in double figures as well. Jamison Johnson had 13 and 9 rebounds, Xavier Barnett had 12, Tyler Acton had 11, and Brock Moorman had 10 points and 10 boards. Ballard turned the 36 turnovers they forced into 37 points, the majority on fast break lay-ups. The Red Devils did beat Ballard in one key catagory: rebounding. Ballard was beaten on the boards 47 to 37, which gave them a 17 to 10 second chance point advantage. The game started out close and looked like Owensboro may have been able to keep pace with the talented Bruins, but in the end it wasn't meant to be as Ballard kept pulling away to win by twenty.


Derek Kirchner

Posted by: Mike Hamm

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