Prep basketball: Brookville gains Southwestern edge, conquers Franklin

Brookville’s Jacob Gudorf (left) pushes the ball up the court against Franklin’s Kamry Fuller on Friday night at Brookville. The host Blue Devils won 75-60. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY OLIVER SANDERS

Brookville’s Jacob Gudorf (left) pushes the ball up the court against Franklin’s Kamry Fuller on Friday night at Brookville. The host Blue Devils won 75-60. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY OLIVER SANDERS
Sports
By Oliver Sanders
Dec 1, 2018
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BROOKVILLE — The early Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division showdown went in favor of the Brookville Blue Devils on Friday night.

Wade Turner scored 21 points and Jacob Gudorf had 17 for Brookville, which opened the prep boys basketball season by handling visiting Franklin 75-60 in a matchup of the Southwestern Division preseason co-favorites.

The victory was only the second for the Blue Devils over Franklin since 2009. Last season, Brookville managed its first win with a 55-51 final score at home.

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“It’s been a while for us,” Blue Devils coach Jeff Davidson said. “We have some senior leadership and some young guys who have bought into the cultural background that we try to instill. Tonight, it all worked out.”

“We had a great advantage in size,” added Gudorf, a senior guard. “Their big man (junior Nick Back) suffered an injury earlier in the season, and we had some great minutes with our starters. We just got after it tonight.”

Brookville controlled the boards on both ends of the court and converted 21-of-30 free throws. The hosts also shot 54.8 percent from the floor.

“In terms of free throws, it is something that every coach preaches every day in practice,” Davidson said. “That’s how to win ballgames.”

A.J. Eller opened the game with a 3-pointer for the Blue Devils, and they never relinquished the lead. Brookville led 20-9 after one quarter and 35-31 at halftime. The Wildcats won the second period 22-15 behind the play of junior guard Savon O’Neal.

Brookville’s Weston Turner blocks a shot by Franklin’s Savon O’Neal on Friday night at Brookville. The host Blue Devils opened the season with a 75-60 win. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY OLIVER SANDERS

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Franklin’s press caused some havoc throughout the evening, though the Wildcats — winners of the last seven Southwestern Division titles — eventually fell behind 70-50.

“Their senior leadership showed,” Franklin coach Brian Bales said. “Those guys are very good. They made us pay for everything we tried to do. I thought our press was very effective, but we didn’t score as much as we should have.”

Eller scored 14 points and Manny Willis added 13 for the Blue Devils. Their rebounding leaders included Willis (11), Gudorf (seven) and Wes Turner (six), while Gudorf dished out six assists and Weston Turner blocked three shots.

O’Neal paced the Wildcats with 23 points. Ryan Russell added 13.

Brookville will be at home against Carlisle on Saturday. Franklin travels to West Carrollton on Tuesday.

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About the Author

Oliver Sanders