ELK RIVER TOOK ON ARMSTRONG IN A BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

Elk River and Armstrong went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game on Feb. 19.

 

Elk River started out the game in a zone defense. They couldn’t slow down the Armstrong offense.

 

Armstrong looked to get the ball out of the net on the defensive end and take the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Armstrong’s Jerome Dixon was able to bring the ball down the floor and get the ball to his teammates. Dixon had good court awareness as he knew where everyone was on the floor. Teammate Evan Nolan stepped up and was able to knock down some deep three-point shots.

 

Elk River’s Clay Elrod took the ball hard to the basket. He was able to come up with layups.

 

Armstrong’s Melvin Newbern came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. On the defensive end Newbern was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding.

 

Elk River did a good job of swinging the ball around the three-point line. They wanted to get the ball inside to Trent Pink who was calling for the ball.

 

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half.

 

Newbern came up with some layups in the first half. The guy he was defending was not able to guard him. He also picked up his third personal foul with just over two minutes left in the first half.

 

Armstrong was able to slow down the tempo of the game late in the first half by going into a zone.

 

Armstrong’s Evan Nolan came up with some deep three-point baskets late in the half.

 

At halftime the score was Armstrong 47, Elk River 28.

 

Nolan continued to hit three-point shots in the second half.

 

Elk River went to a zone defense in the second half. They wanted to force Armstrong to take deep shots. Armstrong did a good job of getting the ball down the floor and making shots in transition.

 

Armstrong stepped up and was able to knock down jump shots in the second half. Elk River didn’t back down to Armstrong.

 

Elk River kept on chipping away at the deficit.

 

Elk River called a timeout with 8:02 left in regulation. The score was Armstrong 59, Elk River 48.

 

Nolan continued to drain three-point baskets late. Teammate Jerome Dickson also was able to make a few three-point shots.

 

Elk River’s Devell Miller attacked the basket and was able to make layups late in the contest.

 

Elk River called a timeout with 3:25 left in regulation. The score was Armstrong 71, Elk River 65.

 

Armstrong’s Sean Burns got hot late in the second half as he was able to knock down deep three-point baskets. No one on Elk River could slow him down.

 

Armstrong came away with the 85-75 victory over Elk River.

 

The leading scorer for Elk River was Elrod with 26 points.

 

The leading scorer for Armstrong was Nolan with 27 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts on the Elk River vs. Armstrong game.