Broncos defeat Bangor again

loading...

HAMPDEN – There is something about the Hampden Academy Broncos that brings out the worst in the Bangor High School Rams. And there is something in the Rams that brings out the best in the Broncos.

As a result, Hampden has stuck the Bangor boys with their only two losses, including Thursday night’s 50-46 Bronco win at the packed Hampden Academy Gym. Hampden had beaten the Rams 50-40 on Dec. 16 in Bangor.

“They’re the only team to hold us under 50 points this season. It’s a tribute to Hampden’s defense and their patience on offense,” offered Bangor Coach Roger Reed. “We rushed our shots and didn’t get the ball inside enough, particularly after (Jon) Kunz picked up two fouls in the first quarter.”

Two unsung Bronco role players stole the show for the Broncos in the final 2:30.

Five-foot-eight junior guard Russ Bartlett, the smallest man on the court, hit a game-tying 3-pointer and pulled down an important defensive rebound and 6-0 senior forward Reid Harris scored three points in the final 1:40, including the go-ahead basket.

“Those guys did a great job for them,” said Reed. “Bartlett does an excellent job running their offense. He distributes the ball to the right person. Harris grabs rebounds, sets picks, and scores (important) garbage points underneath.”

Hampden Coach Earl Anderson said Bartlett “is the most unsung player on this team. Russ makes great decisions. And Reid is the big difference between where we are now and where we were in December. He has really improved.”

Both teams are now 10-2 as Bangor had its eight-game winning streak snapped.

Kunz’s 14 points, Jack Kelly’s 13, and Harris’ 11 points and 10 rebounds paced Hampden. Danny Dahl’s 24 points, seven rebounds, and three steals led Bangor. Nat Clark added nine points and six rebounds.

Bangor was leading 45-42 thanks to a 9-2 run when Bartlett took a pass from Harris and rattled in his 3-pointer from the left side with 2:30 left.

“We hadn’t scored in a while. We needed a pickup and luckily I made it,” said Bartlett about his only basket of the game.

With 1:40 remaining, Kunz missed a jump shot, but Harris picked off the rebound in the middle of the paint and popped in a 4-footer.

“I saw it come off the front of the rim, I got good position, and somebody set a pick on Nat Clark,” said Harris.

Clark made one of two free throws with 1:06 left to pull Bangor within 47-46 and Mark McEwen intercepted a Hampden pass.

But Kunz appeared to get a piece of a Dahl jumper and Bartlett grabbed the rebound.

Harris was fouled with 30 seconds left and made the first of the one-and-one. Harris missed the next one and Clark pulled down the rebound.

Dahl eventually wound up with a wide open 3-pointer from just to the right of the top of the key. However, he missed it with seven seconds remaining and Kelly’s layup sewed up the win.

Dahl’s 10 first-quarter points enabled Bangor to lead by as much as six, but Kunz scored 10 second-quarter points to give Hampden a 25-20 halftime lead.

Hampden led by as much as seven in the third period only to see Bangor answer with eight straight points. Hampden led 38-34 after three.

Bangor dominated the paint, but the Rams missed numerous easy baskets underneath. Bangor hit on only 19 of its 55 field goal attempts, including 14 of 43 over the final three periods. Hampden was 20-for-39 from the floor including a 17-for-29 showing over the final three periods.

Broncos 50, Rams 46

Bangor Hampden

Name AG G AF F TP Name AG G AF F TP

Dahl 27 9 8 6 24 Bartlett 2 1 0 0 3

Kinney 4 1 2 1 3 Kelly 7 4 5 4 13

Newman 3 0 0 0 0 Kunz 14 6 0 0 14

Clark 7 4 2 1 9 McBean 9 3 0 0 7

Jamieson 0 0 0 0 0 Harris 6 5 2 1 11

McEwen 1 1 0 0 2 Peppard 1 1 0 0 2

Murray 2 1 0 0 2 Carson 0 0 0 0 0

Day 0 0 0 0 0

Jarvis 11 3 0 0 6

Totals 55 19 12 8 46 Totals 39 20 7 5 50

Bangor 14 20 34 46

Hampden 9 25 38 50

Preliminary: Bangor JVs 50, Hampden JVs 40

3-pt. goals: Bangor (0-5): Dahl 0-4, Murray 0-1; Hampden (5-11): Kunz 2-5, Kelly 1-1, Bartlett 1-2, McBean 1-3