By Noah Dalton
MARENGO – After falling in their season opener to Trinity Lutheran, Mitchell High School bounced back on Friday night, defeating Patoka Lake Athletic Conference opponent Crawford County 70-60 to pick up their first win of the season.
The game was swung by a strong second quarter performance from the Bluejackets, who outscored the Wolfpack 24-6 in the second quarter after falling behind by seven points at the end of the first.
Mitchell started the period by scoring 10 unanswered points and carried that momentum into a double digit lead at the half, up 35-24.
Bluejackets head coach Clint Roesler attributed his team’s second quarter surge to their ability to adjust over time to multiple defensive looks shown to them by Crawford County, as well as a spark from players off the bench.
“I think they probably played seven different defenses against us tonight, in different forms, full court, half court, traps, everywhere, and we had to be ready, and we had to read it, and we had to adjust. Early on, I think we still struggled with that, and then we slowed down,” said Roesler.
“Credit to the bench guys coming in in the second quarter and just providing a heck of a spark. Jayden Zepeda, Parker Felton got in some foul trouble early and Garrett Floerke came in and just provided quality minutes. That’s what I stress in the locker room, us being able to go eight deep. It’s such a luxury, and it’s something that we’re gonna have to do.”
After chipping away in the third, the Wolfpack began to make a real push back into the game in the fourth quarter, scoring back-to-back quick baskets before a three-pointer from Brody Fish made it a one possession game, 61-58, with 2:30 left to play.
The gap between the two sides did not remain close for long, with Floerke and Kaden Mullis combining to score nine points in the final two minutes, four from Mullis and five from Floerke, pushing Mitchell along to the double-digit win.
Roesler noted both the flexibility of his group, as well as their selflessness when discussing how they were able to fend off Crawford County’s comeback and come away victorious.
“I feel like we have different pieces that help us in certain situations. Blake King, he played maybe five minutes tonight and we needed ball handling. They were trapping everywhere, and that’s not his forte and he was fine with it, and that’s the mark of a special team,” said Roesler.
“You’ve got guys that are willing to sacrifice to get wins, so it’s nice to be able to go to a ball handling lineup. It’s nice to be able to go to a physical lineup. I think all eight of our guys played physically tonight.”
The top scorer on the night was Wolfpack guard Braxton Bowman, who racked up 31 points, shooting 57% (13/23).
Mitchell’s Gavin Robinson netted 28 points to lead his team. He was tailed by Floerke and Mullis, who both added 13 points each.
Next up for the Bluejackets will be their first home game of the season, when they welcome Eastern Greene to The Hive on Saturday night.
Not only will it be a tough matchup for Mitchell, with the Thunderbirds’ having two standout guards, Coby Sykes and Kyan Hudson. It will also be a short turnaround, with the game taking place the following night, allowing little time for the Bluejackets to rest after a hard fought win on Friday.
“Tonight was definitely a much needed win for us to keep spirits high, to let us see the vision, because it’s hard for young guys to see the vision and we got smacked in the first game. I think it was a reality check and a wake up call,” said Roesler.
“We’ve got two quality guards that are coming to The Hive tomorrow and Gavin Robinson played a ton of minutes, [Kaden] Mullis played a ton of minutes, and we’ve gotta get some quick rest and reset. Because those two guys, we’re gonna be running around chasing them through screens and staggers and handoffs and everything and it’s gonna take a team effort again tomorrow.”
