Hardwood Heroes Sports
Trimble Uses Fourth Quarter To Run Away With Victory
By: Jake Motta
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GLOUSTER, Ohio- On Friday night the Trimble Tomcats opened up their season against the Belpre Golden Eagles. This was a one-sided affair with turnovers playing a large part in the downfall of the Golden Eagles.
At the end of the first, the two teams kept it close with the score being 17-13 Tomcats. First game jitters were in play for the Tomcats and that was recognized by the coaching staff, with assistant coach Jeff Koons saying after the game that everyone has them and it was something that they needed to get through in the first quarter.
At the end of the second, Trimble pulled farther away with a score of 29-20. Blake Guffey had 13 points at the end of the half leading Trimble’s offense, and assists were being dished out from everyone on the team.
Trimble ran the floor very well and made key passes to open players when it mattered. Both teams had their share of turnovers at halftime, but the difference was Trimble capitalizing off those turnovers, and Belpre missing shots and turning the ball over after they had their own steals and forced turnovers.
The Trimble coaching staff knew the adjustments they had to make, and they addressed them in the locker room at halftime. Trimble only allowed five points in the third quarter, they closed out, boxed out, and their impressive defense forced bad shots and did not give Belpre second chance opportunities.
The Tomcats ran away with the game in the fourth quarter. They ran the floor well scoring off fast breaks and more Belpre turnovers. Cam Kittle may not have scored any points this game, but he was dishing out assists left and right. Assists are just as important because if you aren’t giving your teammates good passes, and better opportunities to score then it is hard to put the ball in the basket. The game ended 56-37 with the Tomcats coming out on top.
There were a ton of fouls this game and a technical foul on Trimble’s Blake Guffey after he got chippy with a Belpre player. There were many trips to the foul line from both teams and they had opportunities to cash in on free points.
Blake Guffey was getting buckets all night long, he finished with 21 points, one rebound, one assist and two steals. Cam Kittle ended the game with six rebounds, and five assists. He led the team in both of those categories. From the charity stripe the Tomcats went 17 for 24, which is about 71%. They cashed in on freebees, but Belpre shot 7 for 18 from the line at a low 39%, and free-throws can be a difference maker in close games.
Overall Trimble ran the floor well and played as a team in their first game of the season. They shot well from the free throw line and cashed in on 17 Belpre turnovers. Trimble needs to carry momentum into their next game when they travel to South Gallia on Tuesday Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.