Two days prior to Friday, the Community R-6 boys didn’t have their best night.
The Trojans lost 62-43 to Marion County after going seven days without practice but raring to go on Friday …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Two days prior to Friday, the Community R-6 boys didn’t have their best night.
The Trojans lost 62-43 to Marion County after going seven days without practice but raring to go on Friday with a 53-41 win over Mark Twain. It is the team’s first home victory of the season and first home win for head coach Chris Ellersieck in his first season at Community.
Caden Thomas led Community (2-2) with 15 points, seven rebounds and three 3-pointers. He hit all three of his 3-pointers during the second and third quarters, when the Trojans outscored Mark Twain 23-9.
“It comes from practice and helped us with this home win,” Thomas said. “We watch film and really break it down. We go out and try to apply it and try to do it with the people we have.”
Ellersieck said it’s hard to win basketball games at any level and Friday’s game was a tighter contest through one half. Community led 23-18 at halftime after a physical first half probably because some of the players on both teams play with each other in the summer, Ellersieck said.
The Trojans did well putting the ball in the paint to take shots around the basket, Ellersieck said. They allowed Mark Twain (0-3) to have buckets at the rim early in the first half but limited those the rest of the way.
“We were trying to change defenses,” Ellersieck said. “We were switching matchups a little bit and were trying to clean the glass to make sure they don’t get a second chance.”
“With defense, we stick with what’s working,” Thomas said. “Sometimes, it’s zone. Sometimes, it’s man.”
KaTavyn Wheeler finished with 14 points, and Rett Curtis had 10 points and six rebounds. Brett Beamer had five points in the first half and filled in at point guard for some of the game.
Ellersieck said Community is better when Thomas, Wheeler and Beamer contribute to the scoring, whether they score or set up a bucket for someone else. The Trojans control the pace whenever they are patient and wait for good shots, Ellersieck said.
Thomas had open lanes to the rim, especially on several occasions in the second half. Wheeler scored eight points in the third quarter while staying aggressive and taking the ball to the rim.
“We really try to watch the floor and see what kinds of plays we can make and do what’s best for the team,” Thomas said.
Ellersieck said Community isn’t “firing on all cylinders” yet but believes this team will get there. The Trojans play their second Central Activities Conference game of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Slater (2-1).
“I’m really satisfied with my kids’ effort,” Ellersieck said. “They’re really close to becoming a good basketball team.”
Ellersieck picked up his first victory on the road at district opponent Wellsville-Middletown but hadn’t won at home until winning against Mark Twain, which was the program’s first victory in four tries and first since 2021 against Mark Twain. He said he was happy to win in front of his new community.
“The support that I’ve gotten from this community and these kids is beyond anything I would ever imagine or expect,” Ellersieck said. “This is a great place. I’ll do my best to hold kids accountable, care for them, and be firm and fair to be the best that we can every single day and a better person than we were before.”
