Jelani Scott ‘12 | Staff Writer

13 JAN 2011 — Friday the 13th proved to be far from unlucky for the BMHS Men’s Varsity Basketball team as they defeated Bishop Ireton (9-6) 64-56. The Mustangs improved to 11-9 on the year and this was their third straight victory. The team looked impressive from buzzer to buzzer in front of the home crowd as they never trailed once. The Mustangs came out in a full sprint as they won the tip and went on a 6-0 run that prompted Ireton to take the game’s first timeout. Hot starts from Guard Stephan Jiggets ’13 and Forwards Kelsey Jenkins ’12 and Wayne Johnson ‘13 allowed the Mustangs to take a 17-12 lead at the end of the first. They combined for 15 of the team’s 17 points. The Mustangs continued to play aggressively in the second as they were able to steal the ball three times and convert them into easy baskets and they lead at halftime, 30-25.

In the third, despite a few missed free throws and untimely fouls, the Mustangs were able to increase their lead to 43-32 heading into the fourth. Early in the fourth, Cardinals Head Coach Neil Berkman, whose temper was flaring throughout the game due to his team’s performance, was hit with a technical foul following a questionable call and allowed BMHS to pick up an easy 2 points from the line. Shortly after, Ireton went on a 7-0 run, narrowing the Mustangs lead to 50-45. However, the Mustangs were able to bounce back and hit some clutch free throws and grab some key rebounds to secure a 64-56 win.

After the game, Head Coach Martin Keithline felt the team played well for good spurts but had 4-5 minute stretches where they “got into a funk and we missed shots we should’ve made.” Overall, he thought the team played well and next game they will look to bring the press better, break the other team’s pressure, and improve their free throw shooting (they were 22-33 from the line). The MVP for the Mustangs was Forward Kevin Robbins ‘13 with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Johnson contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds and Jenkins added on 11 points and 2 rebounds. Jiggets had a well-rounded game as he had 9 points, 4 steals, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Guard Justin Ramey ’13 had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, and a steal. The Mustangs seemed to have gained some needed momentum as they head into their January 18th matchup against the undefeated-in-conference Dematha Stags.