By Staff
NILES – Leading 22-21 at halftime, the Brandywine Bobcats boys' basketball team looked to upset their Niles Vikings hosts on Monday evening.
With outside temperatures plunging way below the freezing line, the Vikes display of frigid offense from the first half heated up in the second half to secure a 58-42 victory for Niles' first win of the season.
The cross town rivals were evenly meted in the first half as Dominique Pompey displayed his inside force, scoring seven of his nine points for the night, near the end of the second quarter, to put the visitors ahead.
His free throw left the Vikings in a quandary at the half way point. Dustin Bell provided additional inside Bobcat muscle with a key bucket, great penetration, and 4-for-4 shooting from the charity stripe. Center Jacob Frazier was solid on the boards to support the Bobcats effort, leading a steal and drive to the hoop to put the Vikings on their heels.
Led by David Garner's solid shooting (4-of-8 and one free toss), the Vikings clung tight to the Bobcat surge.
AJ Moore's 3-pointer had Niles in the lead at 17-12 in the second period, but turnovers and fouls plagued the hosts in the first 16 minutes.
Frazier's inside move off of the glass put Brandywine ahead 24-21 to begin the third period.
Andrew Brawley drove the court for a 24-23 deficit for the Vikings.
Frazier's inside bank placed Brandywine ahead 28-25 and everyone was wondering what would come next.
Zach Payne's bullet three tied it at 28-28. Cody Udell's basket put the Bobcats up 30-28 for the final Brandywine lead.
Payne nailed another three to put the Vikes ahead 35-32, but Bell answered with his sole three of the night to tie at 35-35.
Then Niles' ever-present defense, led by Garner and Terrell Farrow took over, limiting the 'Cats to seven points in the final epoch.
Pressure by Niles contributed to 25 turnovers by the Bobcats on the night. Farrow's steal and driving score mounted Niles into command at 45-37.
Center Zach Pearson's inside shot and subsequent foul shot for a third point made it 50-39. Farrow's neat lead pass to Pearson, who knocked it in, acquired a 52-39 advantage for the Vikes.
At that juncture with time running out, the game was in Niles' victory column.
Garner and Zach Payne led Niles with 11 points each, while Pearson finished with nine, Farrow eight and Moore seven.
Bell led the Bobcats with 11 points. Frazier added 10 and Pompey nine.
Austin Parks (15), Matt McLaughlin (12), and Nick Lucero (10) launched the Niles junior varsity to a 53-12 win over the Bobcats. Joe Godfrey had six points to top the Brandywine charts. Niles shut out their opponents in the first quarter.
Freshmen Myles Busby (13), Taylor Campbell (10), and Seth Purucker (8) sparked Niles to 50-25 win. Strong offensive and defensive performances by Quintin Irby, Zack Fillwock, Joe Donoho, and Campbell were the key.
BRANDYWINE 42
Dan Reidenbach 1 0-0 2; Zach Edquist 0 0-0 0; Cody Udell 1 0-0 2; Devin Toxopeus 1 0-0 3; Jesse McCombs 0 0-0 0; Lance Prescott 1 0-0 2; Dustin Bell 3 4-4 11; Dominique Pompey 4 1-2 9; Greg Beaver 1 1-2 3; Jacob Frazier 5 0-0 10
NILES 58
David Garner 4 3-4 11; A.J. Moore 3 0-1 7; Javier Smith 0 0-0 0; Zach Pearson 4 1-5 9; Andrew Brawley 1 0-0 2; Conrad Muhumuza 0 0-0 0; Zach Payne 4 0-0 11; Terrell Farrow 3 2-2 8; Kyle Williams 3 0-0 6; Asaad Ali 1 2-2 4
Brandywine 10 22 35 42
Niles 8 21 41 58
3-point goals: Brandywine 2 (Toxopeus 1, Bell), Niles 4 (Moore, Payne 3). Total fouls (fouled out): Brandywine 25; Niles 12. Varsity records: Brandywine (1-2), Niles (1-2)