Braymer win over Tina-Avalon 46-14
by Larry Shoe
Monday night Braymer played its season opener at Tina-Avalon. Braymer has a new head coach, Joseph Mallory and assistant Bob Vermillion. Unfortunately, Junior Jason Gates is out with a knee injury from football. The good news is that Senior Austin Hall is back in the line-up after being out last year with a knee injury.
Everyone has anxiously been awaiting the first game to see how well these boys were gonna play and the crowd was packed for this game. These boys have been playing together for several years and that was without question Monday night. This group of young men are pretty special and that was evident from what they say when they break huddle. Coach Mallory has got these boys in great shape and has a bench 15 strong with several players able to go in to relieve at any time.
The "twin towers" and the fast paced defense and offense had the Cat's fans going crazy. The first offensive scoring on the Cats end came from a behind the back pass from Senior Miller to Senior Hall and so it began. The defense was stellar in the first half; Braymer barely allowed the Dragons to play on their end of the court. Steals, full court press and fast hands kept the ball on the Bobcat side. Offensively Braymer has some work to do with 3 point and free-throw percentages.
Hall scored 13 in the first half to lead the Bobcats. Miller followed with 6 in the first half with one being a put back dunk and the crowd and his team mates went wild. Braymer went in at half up 25 to 4.
In the second half, Coach Mallory took off the press. All 15 players got to see floor time in this first outing. Robbie Shoe led the scoring in the second half with 9. The final score was 46 to 14.
Scoring leaders: Hall and Shoe with 13, Miller 10, Rogers 6, Atherton 4. Rebounds: Miller 11, Hall 8, O'Dell 5, Rogers 3, Shoe, Kimberling and Wiedmier with 1. Steals: Miller 8, Rogers and Shoe with 3, O'Dell and Atherton with 2, Wiedmier and Hall with 1. Assist: Miller 4, Atherton, Rogers and O'Dell with 2, Shoe and Wiedmier with 1. Blocks: Miller and O'Dell with 1. Deflections: Shoe 3 and O'Dell 1.
These boys are hungry and after a disappointing loss in districts to Hardin last year...one could think they might be out to prove something. They will get that chance Monday night at the Gallatin tournament. Come support your Braymer Bobcats, I believe that you won't be disappointed.
