Battling Bucs begin NIC-10 action at Auburn

By Bob Kopp

BDR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

What a way to open conference play.

Belvidere traveled to perennial powerhouse Auburn and battled but lost 51-42 in a game much closer than the final score.

Led by junior Austin Sturlin’s four three-pointers to lead the Knights with 12 points, the hosts used full-court pressure along with their renowned speed, quickness, tenacity, athleticism, and beef in the paint to prevent the Bucs from notching their first conference victory.

Despite the Bucs being called for several touch fouls on the perimeter while Auburn’s dominating and bruising play in the paint did not draw whistles, the Bucs could have snuck away with a convincing win if it were not for a few mental hiccups and atypical turnovers half way through the fourth period.

Clearly, the Bucs will not be out-coached, out-hustled, or out-toughed in conference play as they keep their sights set on another championship season in regionals and beyond.

Steady and steely Will Morris, who turns Larry Bird icy when the heat is turned on, led all scorers with 18 points and appeared ready to complement seniors Austin Revolinski who had seven points and Nate Horton who added eight points as explosive prime-time scorers.

Senior Joey Hernandez dropped three points from the line and appears ready to thrill fans with his sharp-shooting beyond the arc.

Senior Xavier Dent had one point from the charity stripe with juniors Phil Kolk dropping a bomb for three points and Shawn Dean adding two points.

The Bucs hosted a very deep and talented Jefferson on Friday with J-Hawk juniors Quillin Dixon (6’2″) and My’Quion Garrett (6’3′”) drawing lots of attention from scouts for the next level.

Varsity action tipped-off 20 minutes after the buzzer concluded sophomore play.

Results from the Friday, Dec. 2 game are to come.