BNHS Blue Thunder takes on Guilford Vikings

By Kaila Olsen
Reporter
BELVIDERE – On Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., the Belvidere North varsity basketball team faced off against Rockford’s Guilford Vikings, at Belvidere North High School.
The first quarter started off with Guilford taking the lead, scoring five points before North could manage to score.
Belvidere North’s Rylen Kirk, #22, made the first point for Belvidere North, with a three point basket. Kirk also made the next score of the game with a two point layup to tie the game.
Guilford’s Nate Vanderwaal, #35, helped his team take the lead with a two point layup. Belvidere North’s Kirk, made a three point shot to take the lead back.
After a time out in the first, Guilford’s Nick Phillips, #1, made a three point basket taking the lead back for Guilford. Phillips made the next score in the game as well, with another three point shot.
Then, with 4:06 left in the first quarter, Belvidere North’s Kirk, made another three pointer for his team.
Guilford made the next point with a two point layup. Guilford managed to get the ball right back and Julius Coates, #33 of Guilford, also made a two point basket.
Belvidere North took possession of the ball and Kirk made another three point shot for his team, making the score 14-17.
Then, with 1:22 left of the first quarter, Guilford’s Nick Wallace, #40, shot and made a two point layup. Blue Thunder’s Bennett O’Connell, #13, ended the first period with a three point shot, bringing the score to 17-21.
Guilford’s Coates made the first point in the second quarter with a two point layup.
Then, with 5:41 left of the first half, Belvidere North’s Sebastian Gutierrez, #10, made a two point shot from underneath the basket.
The next score was a three point shot made by Guilford’s Elijah Pappas, #21. Guilford’s Grunde, #5, made another three point shot for the Vikings, bringing their lead up to 19-29.
Blue Thunder’s Evan Waddell, #12, attempted a layup, but was fouled on the shot and Waddell made one out of his two free throws.
Belvidere’s Gutierrez, #10, made the next shot of the game with a three point basket.
With 3:11 left in second quarter, Guilford’s Vanderwaal, #35, made a two point layup.
Belvidere North’s Jake Bannon, #5, followed that play with a two point layup of his own for Blue Thunder.
Then, Guilford’s Phillips made a three point basket, making the score 26-34.
The next play in the game was when Belvidere North’s Matt Konkler, #2, was fouled by Guilford. Konkler made both of his free throws, making the score 28-34.
Guilford took possession of the ball and made a three point shot. Then, with 1:02 left of the first half, Guilford’s Wallace, #40, was fouled by Belvidere North. Wallace made one out of his two free throws, making the score 28-38, and ending the second quarter.
After halftime, Guilford’s Pappas, #21, started the second half off with a two point layup. Belvidere North’s Bannon attempted to shoot a layup but was fouled by Guilford. Bannon made one out of his two free throw shots, making the score 29-40.
The next score was made by Belvidere North’s Bannon, with a two point layup.
After a time out, Guilford’s Coates, made a two point basket. This shot was followed by Belvidere North’s Gustafson, also making a two point shot.
Next, with four minutes left of the third quarter, Guilford made a two point shot, making the score 35-44. Guilford also made the next score, with 2:42 left in the third, when Marshon Wiggins, #11, made a two point basket.
Belvidere North’s O’Connell, #13, took possession of the ball and made a three pointer for the Blue Thunder Boys.
Guilford’s Phillips followed that shot with a three point basket for the Vikings.
Then, with just under two minutes to play in the third, Blue Thunder’s Gutierrez, shot and made a two point basket.
The third quarter ended 40-49 in Guilford’s favor.
The fourth quarter began slowly. Neither team was able to score in the first two, almost three, minutes. Belvidere North made a two point layup with 5:15 left of the game.
Guilford’s Phillips also made a two point basket.
Then, with 3:18 left of the game, Belvidere North’s Gutierrez was fouled by Guilford and made both of his free throw shots.
Guilford’s Coates made the next score with a two point layup.
Guilford fouled Kirk of North who then made both of his two free throws, making the score 46-53.
Next, Belvidere North’s Aaron Stewart, #3, made a three point shot, and Belvidere took a time out with 2:32 left of the game.
After the time out Guilford’s Pappas, was fouled by Belvidere North, and made one out of two free throws.
Guilford made a two point layup, making the score 49-56.
Then, with only 39 seconds left of the game, North fouled Guilford, resulting in another point for Guilford. Guilford also went to the free throw line to shoot for a technical foul, which put the score to 49-59.
Next, North fouled Guilford’s, Austin Peterson, #3, who made one of two free throws.
North’s Gustafson recovered the rebound and was able to score a two point layup, making the score 51-60.
Then Guilford’s Phillips was fouled and Phillips made one out of his two free throw shots.
Finally, with only two seconds left of the game, Belvidere North’s Gutierrez, made a three point shot to end the game. The final score was 54-61.