Falcons cruise to 75-46 win over visiting Albert Gallatin
Brownsville's Mike Murdock takes the ball to the hoop against Albert Gallatin's Nate Singer (15) as teammate Cole Novotney (12) waits for a potential rebound opportunity during Monday's game in Brownsville.
Dave Rafferty
Albert Gallatin’s Austin Pegg drives on Brownsville’s Mike Murdock during the first half of Monday’s game in Brownsville.
Brownsville's Josh Mapstone breaks through the defense of Albert Gallatin's Curtis Desmorne (5) and Austin Pegg (50) as teammates Jake Bevard (34) and Christian Floyd (44) prepare for the rebound during Monday's game at Brownsville.
HILLER — Brownsville pounded the ball inside and ran the fast break all game long, as the Falcons cruised to a 75-46 victory over Albert Gallatin, in a non-section boys’ basketball game Monday night.
Josh Mapstone scored 22, while Cole Novotney and Tre Durkin contributed 13 apiece for the host Falcons (11-4).
Ryan Stewart came off the bench to lead the Colonials (1-14) in scoring with six points.
Brownsville’s offensive attack was potent, as the Falcons finished at the rim after fast breaking consistently.
Brownsville coach Brian Brashear was especially impressed with Mapstone’s ability to penetrate and score through contact.
“It’s one thing to make the shot,” said Brashear. “But then to go to the line and make the free throws was awesome.”
Mapstone converted three “and ones,” which are baskets made, despite a foul, along with the ensuing free throw.
Play was a bit rough in the first half, as Albert Gallatin starter Curtis Desmorne was ejected from the game for a flagrant foul. Desmorne elbowed Brownsville’s Nick Despot in the back of the head early in the second quarter, causing Despot to need ice on the sidelines.
Shortly after this incident, Brownsville’s Christian Floyd scored a basket and was fouled. Floyd then turned and screamed at a Colonial player, resulting in a technical foul for taunting.
The Falcons were in total command by the end of the second half. Brownsville had two 12-0 runs, one at the end of each of the first two quarters, to put the game on ice.
Albert Gallatin struggled to stop the Falcons on offense, and couldn’t get their own shots to drop throughout the game. Coach Shea Fleenor says that he knew the team would stumble a bit this year, and his team has things to work on that can’t be learned on the practice floor.
“Coming into the season, we knew it was going to be a struggle,” said Fleenor. “We had a long way to go.” “Besides the stuff we’re going to be in the gym working on, they’ve got to find time to work on their own. You can’t learn everything in the gym, or else you turn into a robot.”
Fleenor says, specifically, that his team needs to learn how to see the floor better and build on natural instincts.