Sunday, November 27, 2022

Keygun Johnson Paces Shamrock Boys with 18 in Opening Win

Keygun Johnson had 18 points as the North Harrison boys got a 42-31 opening day win Tuesday, November 22nd over North Nodaway. The win was the first for new coach Justin Joyner, whose brand of basketball was on full display – wear down the other team on defense, play fundamentally sound on offense, and win the close games. There have been a lot of positive comments about the junior high boys, which have been playing well this year. 

For North Nodaway, they are back to the drawing board again after Aydan Blackford once again broke his collarbone in football and will be out until at least January. “He’s my best friend,” said Mustang guard Ethan Fry. “It’s like losing a part of myself when he’s not out there. We learn a lot from each other.” The team did better than last year’s 61-28 thrashing in Hopkins, but by the end of the game last Tuesday, they were completely worn down. 

Early missed free throws by the Shamrocks allowed North Nodaway to hang around and even take a 3-2 lead after Damien Dailey’s basket with 3:44 left. But after high-energy player Owen Martin picked up his second foul, North Harrison started rolling. Keygun Johnson scored on a drive, Ethan Henson came off the bench and hit a 3-pointer, and Jerry Gilpatrick scored off a drive to make it 9-3 after one. Keygun Johnson hit a free throw, and then scored a three point play off a steal, and added another free throw. Dustin Hamilton scored off a steal to put North Harrison in front 16-3.

It would have been worse, but then Tyson Gibson picked up his third foul for North Harrison trying to guard Mason Richardson, who will have a much bigger role this year for North Nodaway. Gilpatrick’s free throw made it 17-3, but then Damian Dailey scored from inside and Mason Richardson hit a free throw to cut it to 17-6 at the half.

Keygun Johnson connected for North Harrison to start the second half, but then Mason Richardson carried the Mustangs on his shoulders, scoring 10 points in the period. Despite Owen Martin picking up his fourth foul, the Mustangs made a charge; Richardson scored four and Brice Trimble hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 19-14. The turnover differential was in North Harrison’s favor in the first half, but it started evening out in the second. 

North Nodaway got as close as 21-17 on Richardson’s three pointer off a pass from Brice Trimble, but then Damian Dailey picked up his fourth foul, and without North Nodaway’s tallest man, North Harrison found it much easier to get to the rim. Richardson hit again to cut it to 23-19, but then Tyson Gibson got to the rim twice and Ethan Henson hit his second 3-pointer to stretch the Shamrock lead out to double digits again at 30-19.

Ethan Fry got untracked for the Mustangs, getting all eight of his points in the fourth quarter. He scored off a drive and a steal and Jeremiah Dobbins scored off a drive to cut it to 30-25 to start the fourth quarter. But then Owen Martin picked up his fifth foul and North Harrison started to pull away again. Tyson Gibson scored off a drive and Keygun Johnson twice got loose inside and the Shamrocks were up double digits again at 36-25. Ethan Fry and Damian Dailey scored for the Mustangs to make it 38-29, but then time started running out and North Nodaway had to start fouling.

Keygun Johnson had 18 points for the Shamrocks. Tyson Gibson had 10, Ethan Henson 6, Jerry Gilpatrick 5, Dustin Hamilton 2, and Kolton Graham 1.

Keygun Johnson had 1 block.

Kolton Graham had 8 boards. Tyson Gibson had 7, Keygun Johnson and Jerry Gilpatrick 5, Ethan Henson 4, Evan Schreiber 2, and Andrew Craig and Dustin Hamilton 1 each.

Kolton Graham had 6 assists. Jerry Gilpatrick had 3, Evan Schreiber, Keygun Johnson and Ethan Henson 2 each, and Dustin Hamilton 1.

Kolton Graham had 6 tips. Tyson Gibson had 5, and Ethan Henson, Keygun Johnson, Andrew Craig, Jerry Gilpatrick, Evan Schreiber, and Dustin Hamilton 1 each.

Kolton Graham had 3 steals, and Dustin Hamilton, Evan Schreiber, Jerry Gilpatrick, Ethan Henson, Keygun Johnson, and Tyson Gibson had 2 each.

For North Nodaway, Mason Richardson had 12 points. Ethan Fry had 8, Damian Dailey 6, Brice Trimble 3, and Jeremiah Dobbins 2.

Damian Dailey, Ethan Fry, and Mason Richardson each had 1 block.

Damian Dailey and Mason Richardson had 6 boards. Owen Martin, Ethan Fry, and Blaine Clements had 3, and Jeremiah Dobbins and Brice Trimble had 2 each.

Jeremiah Dobbins had 5 assists. Mason Richardson had 2, and Ethan Fry, Brice Trimble, and Blaine Clements had 1.

Mason Richardson had 5 tips. Ethan Fry had 4, Owen Martin 2, and Brice Trimble and Jeremiah Dobbins 1.

Owen Martin and Mason Richardson had 4 steals. Ethan Fry, Jeremiah Dobbins, and Brice Trimble had 2 each.


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