The East Ridge HS Knights Tipped Off The 2019-20 Season This Week!

Article by Grant Mollett, M.Ed.
East Ridge High SchoolEast Ridge High School

In their opening week, the Knights hosted three games and finished the week with a record of one loss and two wins.  See below for full game recaps, statistics, and photos from the first week.

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team opened up its 2019-20 season this past Tuesday against Toho High School out of Kissimmee. The Knights played host to the Tigers in the first-ever contest between the two schools.

The Knights and the Tigers appeared to be offensive equals in the first quarter of the game. Junior transfer, Julian Cheese, scored the opening basket for the Knights, but the Tigers retaliated with a pair of baskets of their own.  Cheese proved to be a lot for Toho’s defense to deal with, as he scored seven total points in the first quarter, and helped to secure an 11-9 lead for the Knights at the end of the quarter.  The second quarter was just as contentious as the first quarter and had five lead changes.  Offensively, the Knights struggled from the field in the first half, as they made eight of 24 shot attempts, and went 0 for 5 from the three-point line.  Additionally, the Knights struggled from the foul line, making just 2 of 7 from the stripe in the first half.  In spite of a sub-par shooting display, the Knights had regained their lead by one point at halftime, 18-17.

Offensively, the third quarter started slow for both teams, yet the Knights capitalized on four free-throw attempts in the first few minutes of the third quarter.  Those free throws gave the Knights a five-point lead, 22-17, which would be their largest lead for the entire game.  Unfortunately for the Knights their offensive struggles returned in the second half, as the Toho Tigers fired off 11 unanswered points in the last four minutes of the third quarter.  The period ended with Toho having secured a six-point lead, 28-22.  The fourth quarter was a battle!  The Knights fought hard to try to recapture a lead and cut the deficit to four points in the first minute of the final period.  Unfortunately, that was the closest the Knights would come, as Toho took advantage of the Knights’ foul trouble in the second half.  The Tigers made 11 of 17 foul shots in the fourth quarter, and with under three minutes left had extended their lead to nine points, 45-36.  The Knights had several opportunities in the final minutes to bridge the gap but failed to make good on their own foul shots – making just 7 of 15 in the fourth quarter.  In the final minute of the game, the Knights scored eight of their 25 points in the fourth quarter, but it would not be enough to secure a victory.  Toho won the game with a score of 53-47, giving East Ridge their first loss of the season.

The Knights’ record fell to 0 wins and 1 loss with the loss to Toho High School. East Ridge was led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 23 points. Additionally, senior Austin Grant contributed 9 points. The Knights were also led in rebounds by Julian Cheese, who grabbed 15 rebounds. East Ridge was led in assists and steals by senior Gavin Schepman with two assists and two steals. As a team, the Knights outrebounded the Tigers 36 to 27.  However, East Ridge struggled to take care of the ball, amassing 25 turnovers in the game.  Additionally, the Knights went 0 for 7 from behind the arc, and shot 35% from the field and 48% from the foul line.

Clermont -December 5, 2019

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team was out for retribution on Thursday evening, as they played host to the Lions of Foundation High School out of Winter Garden. The Knights had just come off a close loss on Tuesday night and hoped to improve their game to secure their first win of the season.

The Knights took off quickly at the beginning of the game. In fact, East Ridge would hold the Lions scoreless in the first quarter, as they rattled off sixteen unanswered points.  Foundation Academy’s struggles continued in the second quarter, as they failed to score their first point until after the five-minute mark in the period.  The Knights continued their offensive assault and secured a 27-4 lead at halftime.  Offensively, the Knights improved their field goal percentage from the previous game, as they made 55% of their shot attempts, including three three-point field goals.  However, the Knights continued their struggles from the foul line, missing all three free-throw attempts in the first half.

Foundation Academy picked up their game in the third quarter, as they outscored the Knights 14-11.  However, the Knights were able to retain a comfortable lead, as they led 38-18 entering the fourth quarter.  The fourth quarter played out similarly, as the Knights kept a secure lead.  East Ridge reached its largest lead of the game, a 25-point lead, in the middle of the fourth quarter with six unanswered points before the two-minute mark.  The Knights’ defense proved to be too much for the Lions, as Foundation merely scored 28 total points in the game.  East Ridge secured their first win of the season with a score of 48-28.

The Knights’ record improved to 1 win and 1 loss with their win against Foundation Academy on Thursday evening. The Knights were led in scoring by senior Treasure Bennettwith 13 points. Additionally, senior Austin Grant contributed 9 points. The Knights were led in rebounds by senior Treasure Bennett and junior Julian Cheese who both contributed 8 rebounds. East Ridge was led in assists by senior guards Gavin Schepman and Dwanye Maduro who both contributed 3 assists each. The Knights were led in steals by senior Gavin Schepman with 4 total steals. The Knights improved their performance in many categories in their contest against the Lions.  They outrebounded the Lions 36 to 17.  Additionally, the Knights improved on their shooting, making 43% of their three-pointers and 46% of their total field goals.  East Ridge also cut down on its turnovers from their first game, committing just 16 turnovers against Foundation Academy.

Clermont – December 6, 2019

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team sought to continue their winning on Friday evening, as they played host to the Tigers of Dunnellon High School out of Marion County.

Junior Julian Cheese played a fantastic offensive game near the basket and scored 10 of East Ridge’s 12 points in the first quarter.  Dunnellon struggled to contain Cheese’s low post prowess throughout the entire game, but in the final seconds of the first quarter, senior Treasure Bennett forced a Dunnellon turnover in the middle of the floor.  Bennett pitched the ball ahead to Cheese, who scored a two-handed breakaway dunk that got the crowd on its feet.  The Knights secured a 12-8 lead against Dunnellon by the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter was even more contentious than the first quarter, as the teams settled into the game.  Though the Knights only made good on two field goals in the second quarter, they did capitalize on six of their seven foul shots in the second quarter.  The Knights held onto their lead, as the score sat at 22-19 going into halftime.

In the second half, the Knights picked up their offensive game as well as their defensive intensity.  East Ridge rattled off eight unanswered points in the first three minutes of the third quarter.  Defensively, the Knights harassed the Tigers with aggressive full court pressure, which caused the Tigers to commit several turnovers.  In the final minute of the quarter, Julian Cheese made a spectacular block that led to a long court pass to junior Isaiah Morgan who scored a breakaway layup.  Senior Austin Grant followed up with a basket to end the quarter, as the Knights extended their lead to fifteen points, 40-25. Things got worse for Dunnellon in the fourth quarter, as the Knights started the final period with a 10-0 run.  As well, the Knights held the Tigers to merely eight points in the final period.  The Knights finished off Dunnellon by scoring 21 points in the final quarter and won with a score of 61-33.

The Knights’ record improved to 2 wins and 1 loss with a win against Dunnellon High School on Friday evening. The Knights were led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 26 points. Additionally, senior Treasure Bennett contributed 11 points. The Knights were led in rebounds by senior Julian Cheese with 12 rebounds. East Ridge was led in assists by senior Austin Grant with 2 total assists. The Knights were led in steals by senior Treasure Bennett and junior Isaiah Morgan with 3 steals each.  The Knights outrebounded the Tigers 29 to 18, unselfishly dished 14 assists, and made 13 steals in their winning efforts.  As well, the Knights shot 48% from the field, but only capitalized on one of their five three-pointers.  East Ridge made 12 of their 17 free throws and took care of the basketball by only committing 15 turnovers throughout the game.

The Knights will play two away games next week, as they travel to play Windermere High School on Tuesday, December 9 and St. Cloud High School on Thursday, December 12.  The Knights will wrap up the week by hosting their cross-town rival Lake Minneola High School on Friday evening for a 7:00 pm tip-off.