(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
By Bruce Rolfe
While there’s no question a strong work ethic remains in place the entire game no matter what the score is, eliminating mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities is something the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team has struggled with more then they, or their coach, would like to see.
The Panthers played from behind most of a 47-38 loss to Burr Oak January 19 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School but kept the game close, due mainly to battling for loose balls, coming up with a key steal and knocking down baskets to remain within striking distance.
But missed free throws, missed baskets in close, and too many turnovers prevented C-S from over taking the Bobcats.
C-S finished the game making 7-of-19 free throw attempts and committed 25 turnovers, including seven miscues in the fourth quarter that stalled the home teams’ come back attempt.
The loss not only dropped C-S’ overall record to 3-7 and 1-4 in the SCAA, but it marked the second time this year (48-35 on December 1) the Panthers have fallen to Burr Oak, a team C-S has defeated regularly by a wide margin over the years.
“Our assistant coaches, they do a great job of being there for the kids. They always talk about, hey, we’re always trying to fill a bucket. Every day you put water in that bucket. Some days you put less, sometimes you put more, but we’re always trying to get better. Hopefully, when we get to the end of the year we’re at our peak and that bucket’s full and we’re flying around and playing hard. That’s the message we’re trying to give them. Continue to fight and be leaders through thick and thin,” said C-S coach Kenny Sattler.
“They (Burr Oak) came out with a plan, Burr Oak did, and they executed well. Both teams played very hard. We fought and battled. We were going for every loose ball, even up to the last second. Every time we could get after it we were flying around. Our kids fought hard. I don’t have any problems with the fight that we had. We just had some turnovers and missed free throws and that’s what hurt us,” adds the C-S coach.
C-S struggled offensively the first three quarters, trailing by a 12-8 count after one quarter and 19-12 count at halftime.
Burr Oak’s offense picked up some in the third quarter and the Panthers found themselves trailing by a 31-20 count entering the fourth quarter.
The Panthers were able to whittle the deficit to eight points, 39-31, on a Chase VanMiddlesworth basket with 2:08 left, but C-S missed its next five floor attempts, including three straight down low on one possession and the Bobcats held on for the win.
C-S senior Miles Shannon led all scorers with 18 points to go with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots and VanMiddlesworth added eight points.
Burr Oak, now 9-3 overall and 2-3 in the SCAA, enjoyed balanced scoring with Ethan Boyles’ 13 points leading four players in double figure scoring.
C-S finished shooting 37 percent from 2-point range (14-38) but managed to drop in just one of 12 three-point attempts. Burr Oak made 41 percent (12-29) of its 2-point attempts and went 3-for-14 from long range. Burr Oak out rebounded C-S 33-32.
C-S will return to action January 26 at Athens in a triple header that begins with the JV boys contest at 4:30 p.m., followed by the girls varsity game and boys varsity contest.
While there’s no question a strong work ethic remains in place the entire game no matter what the score is, eliminating mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities is something the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team has struggled with more then they, or their coach, would like to see.
The Panthers played from behind most of a 47-38 loss to Burr Oak January 19 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School but kept the game close, due mainly to battling for loose balls, coming up with a key steal and knocking down baskets to remain within striking distance.
But missed free throws, missed baskets in close, and too many turnovers prevented C-S from over taking the Bobcats.
C-S finished the game making 7-of-19 free throw attempts and committed 25 turnovers, including seven miscues in the fourth quarter that stalled the home teams’ come back attempt.
The loss not only dropped C-S’ overall record to 3-7 and 1-4 in the SCAA, but it marked the second time this year (48-35 on December 1) the Panthers have fallen to Burr Oak, a team C-S has defeated regularly by a wide margin over the years.
“Our assistant coaches, they do a great job of being there for the kids. They always talk about, hey, we’re always trying to fill a bucket. Every day you put water in that bucket. Some days you put less, sometimes you put more, but we’re always trying to get better. Hopefully, when we get to the end of the year we’re at our peak and that bucket’s full and we’re flying around and playing hard. That’s the message we’re trying to give them. Continue to fight and be leaders through thick and thin,” said C-S coach Kenny Sattler.
“They (Burr Oak) came out with a plan, Burr Oak did, and they executed well. Both teams played very hard. We fought and battled. We were going for every loose ball, even up to the last second. Every time we could get after it we were flying around. Our kids fought hard. I don’t have any problems with the fight that we had. We just had some turnovers and missed free throws and that’s what hurt us,” adds the C-S coach.
C-S struggled offensively the first three quarters, trailing by a 12-8 count after one quarter and 19-12 count at halftime.
Burr Oak’s offense picked up some in the third quarter and the Panthers found themselves trailing by a 31-20 count entering the fourth quarter.
The Panthers were able to whittle the deficit to eight points, 39-31, on a Chase VanMiddlesworth basket with 2:08 left, but C-S missed its next five floor attempts, including three straight down low on one possession and the Bobcats held on for the win.
C-S senior Miles Shannon led all scorers with 18 points to go with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots and VanMiddlesworth added eight points.
Burr Oak, now 9-3 overall and 2-3 in the SCAA, enjoyed balanced scoring with Ethan Boyles’ 13 points leading four players in double figure scoring.
C-S finished shooting 37 percent from 2-point range (14-38) but managed to drop in just one of 12 three-point attempts. Burr Oak made 41 percent (12-29) of its 2-point attempts and went 3-for-14 from long range. Burr Oak out rebounded C-S 33-32.
C-S will return to action January 26 at Athens in a triple header that begins with the JV boys contest at 4:30 p.m., followed by the girls varsity game and boys varsity contest.
