The sixth- and seventh-grade Tigers and Bruins Hoopster teams took some spills on the court Jan. 16. After getting so caught up in the action of the game, both teams lost their footing more than a few times and took some near-drastic falls battling for the ball. Yet it was the undefeated Bruins who walked away from the East Lawrence Center court with a 55-29 win over the Tigers.

The Bruins made their presence known in the first half. The team started out the game strong, finishing the first half with a five-point lead. The Bruins were assisted in their scoring from a couple of baskets by Troy Willoughby who also made an amazingly quick assist for another basket late in the second quarter. Bruin head coach, Steve Walter said Willoughby is one of the key players for the team.

“Troy Willoughby and Anthony Buffalomeat are always big point producers for the team,” Walter said. “Aaron Groene also did a good job on the boards tonight.”

Walter also pointed to the team’s strong defensive play as being an element of its success in the game.

“Our defense was very strong,” Walter said. “We only gave up 27 points to the Tigers and really had the ability to run the floor. The starters were our main point producers, but the kids also played great defensively.”

Thanks to the help of the Bruins’ starters, the Tigers seemed to be doomed from the start and it was going to be insurmountable hill to climb if they wanted to win. A lone basket from the Tigers’ A.J. Gilbert would close out the team’s mere nine points in the first half.

Down but not out of the game, the Tigers returned from halftime with a vengeance. Joshua McDermott showed his prowess on the court with two consecutive baskets that helped double the Tigers score to 18 in the third quarter.

The Tigers huddle at the half to try and find a way to get back in the game with the Bruins on Jan. 16.

Meanwhile the Bruins maintained their edge with a lay-up and a basket from powerhouse player Anthony Buffalomeat, and a bucket each from Aaron Groene and Scott Dunlap. The Bruins rounded out the third quarter with 37 points.

Though the Bruins continued to widen the scoring gap, the Tigers showed their tenacity in not giving up.

In the fourth quarter the Tigers again tried to take control with a basket from Torrey Brown. Joshua McDermott made a beeline for the team’s goal, driving the ball down the court to attempt an assist to Nick Allen. After avoiding some more near misses, Timothy Lewis drove the ball straight into the basket followed with a wide three point shot that added to the Tigers score.

Walter recognized the Bruins winning capabilities in holding the Tigers to minimal points.

“We definitely weren’t giving a lot of shots on their offensive end,” Walter said.

The Bruins just kept racking the points up until the final buzzer when Dunlap got the loose-ball rebound, tossing it to Willoughby, who drove down the center of the court and dished the ball to his teammate for the last shot of the game. With the final basket, the play clock expired and the Tigers’ fate was sealed as they walked away with a 25-point loss to the Bruins.

In their match-up with the Tigers the Bruins defended their undefeated status, but Walter said going undefeated is not an aspect that drives the team.

“The best part for this team is just coming out and getting the opportunity to play and progress and practice our execution,” Walter said. “Game day gives us this ability. Though we are undefeated, so far it is more about the opportunity we have to play well.”