Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Mason Casner Gets Double Double as Mustang Boys Hold Off Shamrock Rally

In a game featuring two teams trying to run each other out of the gym, North Nodaway showed composure as they were able to hold off a Shamrock rally and pull off a 48-41 win Tuesday, November 21st. The game featured two teams that were a mirror image of each other; both teams showed length and athleticism, both were trying to take the next step, and both were showing the kind of hunger needed to get better.

Most of the first quarter belonged to the Shamrocks as Ethan Henson knocked down two quick three pointers to start off. North Nodaway fought back to tie it at 6, but then Henson got loose in transition, Keygun Johnson scored off a Henson steal, and Wyatt Maize scored off a drive to make it 12-6. Brice Trimble cut it to four, but Keygun Johnson answered to make it 14-8. But then North Nodaway fought back as Ethan Fry scored off a steal and Mason Casner converted a transition opportunity at the buzzer to cut it to 14-12 after one.

Unlike the last two years, when Aydan Blackford had to sit out the start of the year with an injury, he was healthy for Tuesday’s game. He finally made his presence known when he hit back to back jacks to start the second quarter to put the Mustangs in the lead. The second score came after Owen Martin had kept a possession alive with an offensive glass. Jerry Gilpatrick hit Keygun Johnson for a drive, but Brice Trimble got on the board for three to make the Mustang lead 21-16.

North Harrison fought back as Keygun Johnson sparked them as he bulldozed his way into the paint for a score and Owan Roberson came off the bench to give the Shamrocks some quality minutes. Owan hit a shot from the high post to make it 21-20. Ethan Fry drove the baseline and hit a reverse layup, but Ethan Henson hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 23-23. North Nodaway reestablished control as Brice Trimble got loose inside and Owen Martin got a tipin to make it 27-23 at the half.

The second half started off well for the Shamrocks as Keygun Johnson continued to bulldoze hit way to the basket and Jerry Gilpatrick hit one of his NBA threes to put them in front 30-29. But then Mason Casner started to head up for the Mustangs, getting an inside shot and Aydan Blackford hit two free throws to put the Mustangs up 33-30. North Harrison worked the offensive glass to stay close, but then Aydan Blackford got a backdoor look from Owen Martin and then a blocked shot from Blaine Clements set up a Brice Trimble pass to Mason Casner to make it 39-33, a four point turnaround in North Nodaway’s favor.

Blaine Clements, normally a post player, stepped outside and hit a 3-pointer for the Mustangs, and then they went into a delay game, which took a big chunk of time off the clock. Finally, Mason Casner hit a skip pass to Brice Trimble, who connected from the right side to make it 44-33.

But then Keygun Johnson got loose inside again, North Harrison put on the press, and Ethan Henson had a monster stuff that crashed into the metal display featuring the North Nodaway players, knocking one of the numbers out. Wyatt Maize scored off an Ethan Henson steal and then Keygun Johnson drove down the right side and finished with a reverse layup to make it 44-39 with 2:44 left.

Henson got another steal off the press, but after North Harrison threw it away, Owen Martin drove against several green shirts against the press and got to the rim, hitting both free throws to swing the momentum back in North Nodaway’s favor.

Keygun Johnson drove and cut it to 46-41, but North Nodaway ran it all the way down to 1:10 before Brice Trimble missed a dagger three. But Johnson missed a chance to cut it to three, and North Nodaway ran it down to 38 seconds before North Harrison could get the Mustangs fouled. Owen Martin missed two free throws, but then turned around and stuffed Wyatt Maize’s 3-pointer. But Keygun Johnson got an offensive board and Martin fouled out with 25 seconds left.

Johnson’s first free throw spun out, and his second miss touched off a wild scramble, and Ethan Fry came up with it for North Nodaway and got it to Mason Casner, who made one out of two with 18.8 seconds left to make it 47-41. Jerry Gilpatrick missed a 3-pointer and Blaine Clements hit another free throw with 6.8 seconds left to clinch it.

For North Nodaway, Aydan Blackford had 13 points. Mason Casner had 12, Brice Trimble 9, Blaine Clements 6, and Ethan Fry and Owen Martin 4 each.

Blaine Clements had 3 blocks, Mason Casner 2, and Owen Martin 1.

Mason Casner had 10 boards. Aydan Blackford had 7, Brice Trimble, Owen Martin, and Blaine Clements 5, and Ethan Fry 3.

Owen Martin had 5 boards. Mason Casner, Ethan Fry, and Aydan Blackford had 3 each. Brice Trimble and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

Brice Trimble had 7 tips. Owen Martin had 3 and Aydan Blackford 2.

Mason Casner and Ethan Fry had 3 steals. Brice Trimble had 2, and Owen Martin and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

For North Harrison, Keygun Johnson had 18 points. Ethan Henson had 11, Wyatt Maize 5, and Owan Roberson and Jerry Gilpatrick 2.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 2 blocks. Wyatt Maize and Keygun Johnson had 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 11 boards. Wyatt Maize had 8, Keygun Johnson 7, Kolton Graham 2, and Owan Roberson 1.

Jerry Gilpatrick had 6 assists. Wyatt Maize had 5, and Ethan Henson 3.

Keygun Johnson had 3 tips, as did Jerry Gilpatrick. Ethan Henson had 2 and Wyatt Maize 1.

Ethan Henson had 5 steals. Wyatt Maize had 3, Keygun Johnson 2, and Jerry Gilpatrick and Kolton Graham 1.


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