The NDCL boys returned from holiday break for games on Jan. 5 and 7 against the Beachwood Bison and the Barberton Magic. The Lions split the pair, losing to the Bison, 71-64, but roaring back to defeat the Magic, 78-53.
Game photos click here.
The NDCL boys returned from holiday break for games on Jan. 5 and 7 against the Beachwood Bison and the Barberton Magic.
The Lions split the pair, losing to the Bison, 71-64, but roaring back to defeat the Magic, 78-53.
Over the two-game stretch, NDCL was led by junior standout guard Evan Dugger who averaged 24 points per game.
On Jan. 5, in a matchup of top area guards, NDCL junior Ethan Dugger (18 points per game) faced off against Beachwood’s Nathan Lurie (28 points per game).
In a close contest throughout, both led the way for their teams.
Fresh off a 41-point performance the previous day against the Lions’ fellow Crown Conference foe, Padua Franciscan, Lurie commanded the Lions’ attention on the defensive side of the court.
The Bison took a 20-15 lead in the first quarter as Lurie had seven points. Max and Noah Page both added three-pointers for the Bison.
Holden Kajfasz led the scoring for the Lions in the first quarter with four points, and Dugger connected on a three-pointer.
In the second quarter, the Lions were led by Connor Hernan with five points, and Noah Rogers with four points, as they trailed 32-28 heading into halftime.
“We started out not great in the first half,” said NDCL junior guard Ethan Dugger. “In the second quarter especially, going into the third, our intensity was really low.”
The contest remained close through the third quarter, with Nick Santoro leading the way for the Lions with five third-quarter points.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Lions trailed 45-39.
That’s when the intensity for both teams picked up, and Dugger and Lurie led their teams down the stretch.
However, the Bison withstood the Lions’ comeback attempt and extended their lead to 14 points with Lurie scoring 13 of his 27 points in the fourth.
Dugger scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth, as well, in an excellent effort to try to help the Lions overcome their deficit.
The Bison made seven three-pointers in the second half, and 10 for the game.
Although the Lions had five three-pointers for the game, Dugger felt that taking the ball inside was necessary as the game progressed.
“I noticed my three wasn’t really falling that much,” he said. “So you got to get buckets in some way to help the team out. So, you know, try to get to the free throw line, get around the paint.
“Got it going towards the end, but again, a little too late.”
NDCL scoring leaders for the game were Dugger (21), Connor Hernan (13), Jaxon Mangelluzzi (7), Rogers (6), Santoro (5), Kajfasz (4) and Brendan Hernan (4).
Also contributing to the scoring for the Lions were Brandon Smul (2) and Louie Muscatello (2).
The leading scorer for the game was Lurie, with a game-high 27 for the Bison.
For NDCL’s second game of the week, Jan. 7, the team traveled to Barberton to take on the Magic.
The Lions started slow and were down 20-12 at the end of the first quarter. However, they came storming back in the second quarter to take a 37-36 lead into halftime.
NDCL then came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Magic 19-9 to take a 56-45 lead into the fourth quarter, and continued to extend their lead as Dugger got a quick five points in the fourth.
With 4:36 left, the Lions opened up a 21-point lead, 68-47, when senior Hayden Dixon drained a three-pointer. Final score: 78-53.
Leading scorers for the Lions in their win over the Magic were Dugger (27), Dixon (12) and Connor Hernan (12).
The Lions return to the hardwood Jan. 13 for a Crown Conference game against Padua Franciscan, then play Kirtland on Jan. 14 as part of the Berkshire Hoopfest.
