Bridgton traveled to the University of Rhode Island to compete in the National Prep Tournament. The Wolverines faced off against Northfield Mount Hermon on Saturday afternoon, and suffered a 80-58 loss.
In the early goings the two teams exchanged baskets, but the inside force and outside shooting of NMH was too much for Bridgton as the Hoggers opened up a 20 point halftime lead. Bridgton was never able to seriously respond with and offensive attack of their own.
In the second half BA was able to cut the deficient to 13 on various occasions, however key baskets and big stops were in short supply when the Wolverines needed them the most.
Coach Lesure credited the Hoggers for the troubles that the Wolverines encountered, as BA knew they were up against as good a team as there is in the NEPSAC. "We hoped to be able to play at a high level on back to back days. Its hard to predict but but they caused a lot of miscues on our part that we will try and remedy."
The Wolverines have suffered losses in six of their last eight contests. Lesure went on to say, "I tell our guys all the time its talent or effort. If you get beat on talent that's fine, if you get beat on effort or smarts that's not okay. I thought Northfield Mount Hermon played hungrier than we did."
Bridgton will travel to MCI and South Kent before returning home for three consecutive contests.
Lesure finished saying, "I like this time of year. You find out who the ballplayers are, who keeps pushing to improve everyday and whose thinking about spring break on the beach somewhere. I know my golf clubs are stored away until the snow leaves Bridgton in May."
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wolverines Rout CBA
Competing in the National Prep Invitational Tournament at the University of Rhode Island, the Bridgton Academy Wolverines took on the Canarias Basketball Academy in their first game. Bridgton got off to a slow start and over came deficits of 9-0 and 11-2 to post perhaps their best win of the season, 75-58.
Implementing multiple defenses after falling behind early, the Wolverines were able to battle their way back into the contest thanks to hot shooting. Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) hit a three at the buzzer to take a 38-37 lead at halftime.
Bridgton carried that momentum into the second half as they quickly extended the lead to five, and never looked back. The Wolverines had one of their best shooting performances of the season as ten players got in on the scoring and BA never trailed in the half. The Black and Gray broke the game open in the final six minutes as the lead increased to double digits.
Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) lead all scorers with 28 points, Jones finished with 17.
Coach Lesure had the feeling this was the teams finest effort of the season saying, "It was the most complete game we have played. It probably starts with making a few shots, but there were a lot of positives in our performance. We were a completely different team out there. Hopefully we will internalize the feelings of playing well and be more able to repeat it."
Bridgton improves its record to 8-11, and will take on Northfield Mount Hermon in a NEPSAC match up in their final game at URI.
Implementing multiple defenses after falling behind early, the Wolverines were able to battle their way back into the contest thanks to hot shooting. Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) hit a three at the buzzer to take a 38-37 lead at halftime.
Bridgton carried that momentum into the second half as they quickly extended the lead to five, and never looked back. The Wolverines had one of their best shooting performances of the season as ten players got in on the scoring and BA never trailed in the half. The Black and Gray broke the game open in the final six minutes as the lead increased to double digits.
Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) lead all scorers with 28 points, Jones finished with 17.
Coach Lesure had the feeling this was the teams finest effort of the season saying, "It was the most complete game we have played. It probably starts with making a few shots, but there were a lot of positives in our performance. We were a completely different team out there. Hopefully we will internalize the feelings of playing well and be more able to repeat it."
Bridgton improves its record to 8-11, and will take on Northfield Mount Hermon in a NEPSAC match up in their final game at URI.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Pandas Survive Wolverines' Late Flurry
The Lee Academy Pandas traveled from the depths of the Maine wilderness to take on Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton on Tuesday night. For Bridgton it was their third game in four days, and Lee was participating in their third contest in as many days, a rescheduled match up from Wednesday.
The first half was a closely contested battle that saw Lee lead throughout, but only hold a slight 32-31 advantage at the break.
In the second half the Pandas came out strong starting with an 8-0 run to distance themselves from the hosts. The lead reached double digits with 13:26 to play as Lee went up 48-37, the Pandas would enjoy their largest advantage with 12:26 to play as they went up 13.
Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) hit a three with 7:42 to play to bring the deficit back to single numbers, 54-45. The Lee advantage was back to 13 however just 1:04 later thanks to four straight points by Malik Dean. Bridgton used a 13-5 run over a 3:09 stretch to bring themselves within one point at 65-64, with just 2:06 to play.
Following a time out Bridgton needed a defensive stop, to get a chance to take their first lead of the game. Ruben Kanya (Hamilton, Ontario) drew what appeared to be an offensive player control foul that would negate the converted layup and give Bridgton the ball back, however it was called a blocking foul and sent Vaughn Allen to the line with a chance to put the Pandas up by four. Allen converted the three point play to put Lee up 68-64 with 25.7 seconds to play. It was too much too late for Bridgton as Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) hit a three at the buzzer for a final of 69-67.
"They just out played us, including the start of each half," Head Coach Whit Lesure said following the game. He went on to say, "We couldn't get a stop at the end, and had a hard time getting one all night."
Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) led the Wolverines in scoring with 23 points, Jones finished with 19 and Kanya contributed 10.
Lesure said, "We weren't the aggressors until the very end, give Lee credit they controlled play," Bridgton never saw a lead in the game, "we did not shoot well enough to make up for the other errors we had." The coach was quick to point out his own shortcomings of the day by saying, "I had no more positive impact than many of our players did," referring to his decisions late in the game.
Bridgton will next travel to University of Rhode Island this weekend to compete in the National Prep School Invitational Tournament.
Lesure's final contention was that, "Quinn Allen would have called a charge for certain."
The first half was a closely contested battle that saw Lee lead throughout, but only hold a slight 32-31 advantage at the break.
In the second half the Pandas came out strong starting with an 8-0 run to distance themselves from the hosts. The lead reached double digits with 13:26 to play as Lee went up 48-37, the Pandas would enjoy their largest advantage with 12:26 to play as they went up 13.
Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) hit a three with 7:42 to play to bring the deficit back to single numbers, 54-45. The Lee advantage was back to 13 however just 1:04 later thanks to four straight points by Malik Dean. Bridgton used a 13-5 run over a 3:09 stretch to bring themselves within one point at 65-64, with just 2:06 to play.
Following a time out Bridgton needed a defensive stop, to get a chance to take their first lead of the game. Ruben Kanya (Hamilton, Ontario) drew what appeared to be an offensive player control foul that would negate the converted layup and give Bridgton the ball back, however it was called a blocking foul and sent Vaughn Allen to the line with a chance to put the Pandas up by four. Allen converted the three point play to put Lee up 68-64 with 25.7 seconds to play. It was too much too late for Bridgton as Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) hit a three at the buzzer for a final of 69-67.
"They just out played us, including the start of each half," Head Coach Whit Lesure said following the game. He went on to say, "We couldn't get a stop at the end, and had a hard time getting one all night."
Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) led the Wolverines in scoring with 23 points, Jones finished with 19 and Kanya contributed 10.
Lesure said, "We weren't the aggressors until the very end, give Lee credit they controlled play," Bridgton never saw a lead in the game, "we did not shoot well enough to make up for the other errors we had." The coach was quick to point out his own shortcomings of the day by saying, "I had no more positive impact than many of our players did," referring to his decisions late in the game.
Bridgton will next travel to University of Rhode Island this weekend to compete in the National Prep School Invitational Tournament.
Lesure's final contention was that, "Quinn Allen would have called a charge for certain."
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Notre Dame Takes Title, BA Ends Skid
The Wolverine Winter Tournament wrapped up today with Notre Dame Prep taking home the title. Notre Dame edged St. Thomas More 83-77, in a hard fought battle. The consolation game was a match up of instate rivals MCI and Bridgton, the third meeting for the teams this year.
The start of the game looked like it would be a repeat of the previous meetings, MCI walking away with the win. The Huskies scored on their first two possessions and quickly went up 5-0, however they would only score nine more points in the half and Bridgton outscored MCI 31-9 over the remainder of the half to enjoy a 31-14 lead at the break.
Bridgton was able to hold onto the double digit lead for the entire second half, MCI cut the lead to 11 with 12:45 to play. BA was able to extend the lead again and reached their biggest advantage at 60-42 with 2:22, after Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) knocked down a three. Bridgton ended its four game skid with a 64-51 win.
Head Coach Whit Lesure likened the game to bargain shopping by saying, "This game had the 'three for a buck' feel to it. You think you are getting a deal, but do not know if you actually got anything." Lesure went on to say, "our team is like iron, the key ingredient is heat. When the heat is on its going to stay on and we are not going to break."
Bridgton will next host Lee Academy on Tuesday February 2nd. Bridgton's record now stands at 7-10.
The start of the game looked like it would be a repeat of the previous meetings, MCI walking away with the win. The Huskies scored on their first two possessions and quickly went up 5-0, however they would only score nine more points in the half and Bridgton outscored MCI 31-9 over the remainder of the half to enjoy a 31-14 lead at the break.
Bridgton was able to hold onto the double digit lead for the entire second half, MCI cut the lead to 11 with 12:45 to play. BA was able to extend the lead again and reached their biggest advantage at 60-42 with 2:22, after Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) knocked down a three. Bridgton ended its four game skid with a 64-51 win.
Head Coach Whit Lesure likened the game to bargain shopping by saying, "This game had the 'three for a buck' feel to it. You think you are getting a deal, but do not know if you actually got anything." Lesure went on to say, "our team is like iron, the key ingredient is heat. When the heat is on its going to stay on and we are not going to break."
Bridgton will next host Lee Academy on Tuesday February 2nd. Bridgton's record now stands at 7-10.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Winter Tournament Update
Bridgton hosted its first Winter Tournament game against St. Thomas More on Saturday night. Following the opening game, which saw Notre Dame Prep pull out a win over MCI, the Wolverines could not overcome the Chancellors second half surge.
BA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and then did not see a lead until five minutes remaining the the first half when Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) hit a three pointer to put Bridgton up 28-27. At the half the two squads were knotted at 33. Coach Lesure said later, "Settling for a tie at the half was not enough, we could have put ourselves in a position for more of an advantage."
In the second half St. Thomas More came out firing as they quickly went up by 10 in the first five minutes. Bryon Allen carried St. thomas More with 22 second half points. Bridgton was able to close the lead to single digits using an 11-2 run over 4:23 but the Chancellors would not let up and pulled away for a final of 95-87.
"We did a nice job to battle back in the second half. Give credit to St. Thomas More who stepped up in the second half and Allen was hitting big shots," Lesure commented. "I like how we finished the game hard, you have to respect our effort."
Harris had a game high 36 points, including nine three pointers. Ron Blossomgame (Atlanta, GA) had a season high 21 points in a battle down low. Derek Mayo (Orlando, FL) added a big seven points. Bryon Allen ended with 24 points.
"The event staff and game management staff need to be commended for their efforts, as this tournament has run very well," Lesure added.
Bridgton will face off against MCI, for the third time this season, tomorrow at noon in the consolation game. The championship game will pit St. Thomas More against Notre Dame Prep at 2 PM.
BA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and then did not see a lead until five minutes remaining the the first half when Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) hit a three pointer to put Bridgton up 28-27. At the half the two squads were knotted at 33. Coach Lesure said later, "Settling for a tie at the half was not enough, we could have put ourselves in a position for more of an advantage."
In the second half St. Thomas More came out firing as they quickly went up by 10 in the first five minutes. Bryon Allen carried St. thomas More with 22 second half points. Bridgton was able to close the lead to single digits using an 11-2 run over 4:23 but the Chancellors would not let up and pulled away for a final of 95-87.
"We did a nice job to battle back in the second half. Give credit to St. Thomas More who stepped up in the second half and Allen was hitting big shots," Lesure commented. "I like how we finished the game hard, you have to respect our effort."
Harris had a game high 36 points, including nine three pointers. Ron Blossomgame (Atlanta, GA) had a season high 21 points in a battle down low. Derek Mayo (Orlando, FL) added a big seven points. Bryon Allen ended with 24 points.
"The event staff and game management staff need to be commended for their efforts, as this tournament has run very well," Lesure added.
Bridgton will face off against MCI, for the third time this season, tomorrow at noon in the consolation game. The championship game will pit St. Thomas More against Notre Dame Prep at 2 PM.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bobcats Bite Bridgton
Bridgton Academy Wolverines traveled to Brewster Academy to take on the NEPSAC leading Bobcats. The Bobcats showed Bridgton why they are the cream of the crop this year in handing them a 74-54 set back.
It was not all Brewster however, as Bridgton led early on, and held their own for the first ten minutes of the contest, but Brewster took over from there and opened up a 24-19 lead with five minutes left in the first half. Over the final five minutes Brewster used a 12-4 run and was up 36-23 at the break.
Bridgton came out shooting in the second half and was able to quickly narrow the Bobcat lead to just seven. That was as close as the Wolverines would be able to get as they could not convert, and Brewster's defense held Bridgton in check, which allowed the Bobcats to pull away.
Three Bridgton players reached double digits as Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) had 15 points, Dashaun Wiggins (Bronx, NY) 11 and Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) 12.
Coach Lesure commented, "We played okay. We were not able to convert enough chances during key stretches of the game. Brewster had a lot to do with that. We will go back to practice and prepare for Saturday."
Bridgton will host the Wolverine Tournament this weekend as MCI will play Notre Dame Prep on Saturday at 6PM and then Bridgton will play St. Thomas More at 8PM. Bridgton sees its record fall to 6-9.
It was not all Brewster however, as Bridgton led early on, and held their own for the first ten minutes of the contest, but Brewster took over from there and opened up a 24-19 lead with five minutes left in the first half. Over the final five minutes Brewster used a 12-4 run and was up 36-23 at the break.
Bridgton came out shooting in the second half and was able to quickly narrow the Bobcat lead to just seven. That was as close as the Wolverines would be able to get as they could not convert, and Brewster's defense held Bridgton in check, which allowed the Bobcats to pull away.
Three Bridgton players reached double digits as Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) had 15 points, Dashaun Wiggins (Bronx, NY) 11 and Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) 12.
Coach Lesure commented, "We played okay. We were not able to convert enough chances during key stretches of the game. Brewster had a lot to do with that. We will go back to practice and prepare for Saturday."
Bridgton will host the Wolverine Tournament this weekend as MCI will play Notre Dame Prep on Saturday at 6PM and then Bridgton will play St. Thomas More at 8PM. Bridgton sees its record fall to 6-9.
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