BEAVERS STARTING TO GAIN MOMENTUM

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- Basketball is a game where it takes a collective group to come together as a team to achieve success.  The team atmosphere was on full display at the Beaver Dome Friday night as Beaver Local defeated St Clairsville 72-67.

The Red Devils wasted little time racing out to a 9-1 advantage behind a hounding full court defense. The Beavers would settle down and go on a 9-2 run behind 5  points from Austin Cline to cut the deficit to 11-10 at the end of the 1st quarter. Beaver Local, without the services of Evan Stephenson (illness) combined with early foul trouble, would need others to step up on the offensive end if they were to keep up with the Red Devils scoring ability. Two players at different ends of their careers would answer the call in Senior Owen Bzinak and Freshman Owen HIll. The pair would combine for 13 of the Beavers 26 points in the quarter giving the red & white a 36-30 halftime lead.

Coach Nick Miller on the senior Bzinak’s performance “We have challenged him to be more of a leader, tonight was a great showing of his ability to lead by example on the floor.” Halftime would not slow Hill’s output down as the Freshman came through scoring 8 in the frame, guiding his team to a 52-47 lead through 3 quarters. The Red Devils would come alive early in the 4th behind a quick 6 points closing the gap to 54-53.

The Beavers would not panic, seemingly trading baskets with the Red Devils neither team able to separate themselves. St Clairsville would finally take back the lead with about 2 minutes to go. Trailing 63-61 with 1:00 on the clock Owen HIll would square up from the corner hitting his 4th shot from downtown on the evening giving the Beavers a 64-63 lead on their way to victory. Hill would finish the night with 17 points and 7 rebounds not to his head coach’s surprise

“We saw glimpses of that this summer, he was able to put it all together tonight in big situations.” Hill’s partner in crime Owen Bzinak (14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) would continue to be relentless in the closing minutes helping close out the Devils.  Austin Cline, (16 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists)  would seal the deal going 4 for 4 from the line down the stretch giving the Beavers their 3rd win in their last 4 opportunities. Michael McKenzie contributed to the balanced attack scoring 8 points as well for the victors.

Miller on his team’s outlook ” I really like how we have come together over the last week and a half. We have some tough opponents ahead, the sky’s the limit if we keep playing together.”

Beaver Local (4-4) looks to stay hot as they travel to rival Wellsville on Tuesday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler