Bentin Roberts Makes Defensive Presence Known as JH Bluejays Win First

Bentin Roberts made his defensive presence known Wednesday night as the Northeast Nodaway junior high boys got their first win, a 33-26 win over Union Star. Previously, they had been run out of the gym in the first half against King City in their 47-27 loss. Union Star tried to follow their lead and do the same thing. Northeast bent, but didn't break against the pressure, and by the end of the first quarter, they had erased their early deficit and come back to tie it at 7-7.

As the game progressed, Bentin Roberts began to wreak more and more defensive havoc as the Bluejays finally started to gain some separation in the second quarter and were able to make it stand up the rest of the way, although the Trojans were always close. He had 9 tips and 5 steals for the Bluejays, who did a much better job of breaking the press and forcing Union Star out of it. 

Aaron Pettijohn's shot put Union Star in front 9-8 early in the second, but then Roberts' free throws put the Bluejays on top to stay. Liam Cordell added a 3-pointer from the right wing, Wyat Scadden went coast to coast after Lance Runde saved one from going out of bounds, and Lance Runde pushed one ahead and got it to Bentin to make it 16-9. 

The Trojans hung around and got it down to 20-17 after Myles Smith's drive, but Brady O'Connell's triple put the Bluejays up 23-17. Aaron Pettijohn answered with one of his own to put Union Star back within three at 23-20.

Wyat Scadden scored off a drive after Lance Runde saved one from going out and Jude Archer fed Reece Gray inside to make it 27-20, but then Union Star made its size felt as Zachary Hodge got a putback, Aaron Pettijohn got a steal, and added a free throw to make it 27-25 with 42 seconds left.

But then Northeast went 6 for 6 from the line down the stretch, with Wyat Scadden, Liam Cordell, and Reece Gray each going 2 for 2 as the Bluejays closed out the win.

Wyat Scadden had 9 points. Liam Cordell had 8, Bentin Roberts 6, Reece Gray 5, Brady O'Connell 3, and Lance Runde 2.

Bentin Roberts had 1 block.

Lance Runde had 8 boards. Reece Gray had 7, Wyat Scadden 6, Bentin Roberts 3, and Brady O'Connell, Liam Cordell, and Jude Archer 1.

Wyat Scadden had 5 assists. Lance Runde had 3, Brady O'Connell 2, and Jude Archer 1.

Bentin Roberts had 9 tips. Reece Gray had 4, Liam Cordell and Brady O'Connell 2, and Wyat Scadden 1.

Bentin Roberts had 5 steals. Wyat Scadden had 4, Lance Runde and Jude Archer 2, and Reece Gray, Brady O'Connell, Liam Cordell, and Chase Allen 1 each.