Trojans Rout Warriors for Second Win
Special to Basketball Colorado
By Michael Chamberlain
12/4/13
Grand Junction, CO – Aurora Central boys basketball came into the Warrior Challenge, at Grand Junction Central high school, in Grand Junction, Colo. looking for their second win. In the young season they drew the Grand Junction Central Warriors for their first game. Grand Junction Central, also 1-0 coming into the tournament, trying to double up their win total from last year from one to two. Unfortunately, Aurora Central’s fast paced offense and frustrating defense gave Grand Junction Central their first loss on the season, 70-42.
Aurora Central controlled the game from the tip jumping out to a 12-2 in the first few minutes of play. One thing Aurora Central did well throughout the game is share the basketball, tough thing for any team early in the season to do sometimes. With the ball moving as well as Aurora Central players moving without the ball got multiple players into double figures scoring. A huge part of the game aiding Aurora Central and getting multiple players into double figures their team speed. Ladarius Thomas, Aurora Central starting point guard, took the ball off the in-bounds past half court before the in-bounder got to full speed. Aurora Central’s top three scorers vs. Grand Junction Central: Elijah Coleman, who led the way, 21 points, Ladarius Thomas 16 points, and Larry Thomas 10 points. Along with the scoring for Aurora Central as a team made five three balls
It wasn’t all about the Trojans’, however, Grand Junction Central even though they took their first loss of the young season got to work on in game stuff. Such as, offensive sets, getting back faster on defense. Grand Junction Central at times on offense looked good against a 2-3-zone defense that Aurora Central started playing. One offense set in the second half was perfectly executed when guard Koby Steves threw a pass at the top of the three-point line to a sliding post player, Hunter Kelchner, at the free throw line. Kelchner caught the pass right in the gap between the zone defense for an easy two. In basketball that is exactly how to attack a zone defense by attacking the gaps. Also, for Grand Junction Central at one point on defense doing the small things to get turnovers, Trey Garcia stepped into the lane getting set and taking a charge.
In the second half Grand Junction Central’s defense got several stops on Aurora Central. Including, turnovers, fouls and a lack in focus on several possessions for Aurora Central. Grand Junction Central got fouls called on Aurora Central for 27 attempts from the free throw line. Unfortunately, for the 27 attempts Grand Junction Central only made 8/27 from the line. Along with the free throw line blunders for Grand Junction Central their top three scorers: Koby Steves 10 points, Nico Fino 7 points, and Trey Garcia 6 points.
The early season tournament, Warrior Challenge, saw the good and the bad for both squads. It also showed that no matter how good the team maybe early on in the season they will have to improve going forward to get to where they want to be at the end of the season. For both Aurora Central and Grand Junction Central good things happened that showed promise for both teams, as well as showing some improvement needing to be done throughout the season.
