Bruins return from quarantine, defeat Oak Glen Golden Bears
Isinghood, Knox combine for 38 points during Brooke’s 57-40 victory
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WELLSBURG -- Brooke's Ryan Knox has shown flashes of great basketball play throughout the Bruins' first eight contests.
With Cole Sperlazza and Alex Isinghood each leading the team in scoring, Knox became a third option. But, with Sperlazza sidelined due to a wrist injury, Knox now has the chance to show what he is capable of.
He finished Wednesday night with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists during Brooke's 57-40 victory over Oak Glen.
"When I met him this year, I gave him the green light and told him he has a nice shot," head coach Adam Shinsky said. "He hit a few 3s in the first couple of games but has struggled from there the last few games. But, he found a way (Wednesday) and penetrated. He got some easy looks and pull-up jumpers. He's a great shooter and has put a lot of time in."
Sperlazza was injured during the Bruins' last game nearly two weeks ago. Shortly after, they were quarantined for 10 days. They practiced for just less than two hours on Tuesday in preparation for the Golden Bears (2-8).
The long layoff showed early on, as Brooke (4-5) found itself trailing, 13-8, after the first quarter. They finally found their stride in the second, bolting on a 12-2 scoring run midway through and leading by a deuce (23-21) at the break.
"In the first half, offense was a complete rust. Some of our guys missed some bunnies down low," Shinsky said. "But, our conditioning and defense were the differences (Wednesday). Even though we were off for 10 days, we were in superior condition than they were. We were able to run the break and get some layups."
The Bruins took control a few minutes into the third frame, outscored the Bears 19-8 and built a commanding 42-29 advantage heading into the fourth.
"We just don't have what it takes to win right now. I don't know what it's going to take," Oak Glen head coach Jerry Everly said. "We just have to keep working and plugging away and keep trying to get better. Being young is an excuse I don't want to use anymore. We are what we are, and we have to play better.
"You can't just play good for one half. You have to rebound, play hard defense and make shots."
The Bears also had few answers for Isinghood, who finished with a monster double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds. Overall, Brooke grabbed seven more boards (39-32).
"He definitely beat us on the boards, and we have to do better than that," Everly said "He's athletic and strong. That's going to give us problems with the way we are right now."
Also for the Bruins, Jason Varner produced five rebounds, three assists and canned the team's lone 3-pointer. Nate Taylor had six points and two assists.
"We really wanted to get this fourth win because they've only won four games in the last two seasons combined," Shinsky said. "Considering the circumstances with the pandemic, a long 10-day layoff and Cole being out, we're very satisfied with where we're at right now."
As for the short-handed Bears, Chaise Clark led with 14 points, seven boards and two assists. Jontae Howard notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jered Hissam contributed seven points, four rebounds and three assists.
"We've only had one losing season in my six years before this. But, this year has been a struggle," Everly said. "It's been a struggle for everybody. COVID has impacted everybody and with sports at the high school level. It's tough on these kids, but they keep battling."
JV ACTION
Oak Glen won a tightly-contest jayvee contest, 45-43. The Bears' Brady Chaney scored a dozen points, while Brooke's Nick Cipoletti dropped 17.
UP NEXT
Oak Glen: Tentatively travels to Trinity on Monday before hosting Weir High on Tuesday.
Brooke: Tentatively heads to Cameron on Friday, then hosts John Marshall for senior night on Saturday.
Brooke 57, Oak Glen 40
Oak Glen 13 8 8 11 -- 40
Brooke 8 15 19 15 -- 57
OAK GLEN (2-8): Clark 6 2-3 14; Goodlin 0 0-0 0; Hissam 3 0-2 7; Beatty 1 0-1 2; Howard 5 0-2 10; Taylor 2 0-0 4; Arner 0 0-0 0; McCauley 1 0-0 3; Adams 0 0-0 0; Greenlief 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18, 2-8: 40.
BROOKE (4-5): Marks 1 1-2 3; Knox 9 0-1 18; Isinghood 8 4-6 20; Varner 1 0-0 3; Coursin 2 0-0 4; Taylor 3 0-0 6; Orban 0 0-0 0; Anderson 0 3-4 3; Fuscardo 0 0-1 0. TOTALS: 24, 8-14: 57.
3-POINT GOALS: Oak Glen 2 (Hissam, McCauley); Brooke 1 (Varner). REBOUNDS: Oak Glen 32 (Howard 10); Brooke 39 (Isinghood 19). ASSISTS: Oak Glen 8 (Hissam 3); Brooke 12 (Knox 4). TURNOVER: Oak Glen 12; Brooke 5.