East Ridge High School Knights Struggle As They Begin The Second Half Of The Season

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

The Knights played two games in their fourth week. Unfortunately, East Ridge dropped both of those games in their return from winter break.

January 7, 2020 – Clermont, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team hosted Mount Dora Christian Academy on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs of Mount Dora Christian came to Clermont with an undefeated record, and did battle with East Ridge in order to retain their flawless record.

The Knights took it to the Bulldogs to start the game, as they challenged Mount Dora Christian’s defense by driving the lane.  Junior Julian Cheese proved to be a lot for the Bulldogs to handle, as he poured in 8 of his 15 points in the first quarter, including two spectacular two-handed slam dunks.  The Knights secured a 12 to 9 lead at the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter was just as contentious as the first.  Senior Gavin Schepman opened up the quarter with two made baskets, scoring 4 of his 8 points in the first two minutes of the quarter.  However, the Bulldogs responded by making good on two three-point shots and going four for four from the foul line to try and bridge the deficit.  The Knights were able to retain their lead, 20-19, going into halftime.

The Knights picked it up defensively in the third quarter, holding Mount Dora Christian to just 4 points. On the other end of the floor, East Ridge scored 9 points off of two field goals by Cheese and a field goal and three-point shot by senior Austin Grant.  The Knights ended the third quarter having extended their lead by 6 points, 29-23.

The Knights capitalized on one of two free throws in the first minute of the fourth quarter and extended their lead to 7 points – the largest lead they would have in the entire game.  Unfortunately, East Ridge went cold, failing to score a basket until there was less than two minutes to play in regulation.  Mount Dora Christian looked to take advantage of East Ridge’s offensive lull, and rattled off eight unanswered points in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs took the lead off of a successful foul shot, 31-30, with less than four minutes to play.  In retaliation, senior Dwanye Maduro cut to the basket and received a pass that led him for a layup, which broke the Knights’ offensive struggle, and put the Knights back up by 1 point with less than two minutes in regulation.  After the Knights successfully stopped the Bulldogs from scoring, Gavin Schepman raced down the floor in transition, and attempted a layup.  The Bulldogs would be called for goaltending, and Schepman’s basket put the Knights up by 3 points with less than 30 seconds in regulation.  The Bulldogs held for the final shot, and in the final seconds, they would bury a three-pointer, tying the game at 34, and sending it into overtime.

In the overtime period, the Knights struggled to score, as they only capitalized on 1 of 4 foul shots.  The Bulldogs struggled in a similar manner, as they also only made 1 of 4 foul shots.  However, much like in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs had a one more shot attempt in the final seconds of overtime.  As they let the ball go, the buzzer sounded.  The ball hit the rip, and bounced straight up, grazing the top of the backboard.  Miraculously the ball fell in, and Mount Dora Christian won in overtime, 37-35.

The Knights’ record fell to 5 wins and 7 losses with a loss to Mount Dora Christian Academy on Tuesday evening. The Knights were led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 15 points. Seniors Gavin Schepman and Austin Grant contributed 8 points and 6 points, respectively. Schepman and Grant also led the team in rebounds with 7 rebounds each. Seniors Treasure Bennett and Dwanye Maduro led the Knights in assists with 3 assists each. The Knight struggled from the three-point line (11%) and the foul line (40%).  In fact, East Ridge only took five foul shots the entire game.  The Knights shot 49% from the field and grabbed 26 total rebounds.  East Ridge failed to take care of the ball in the second half, making 8 of their 14 total turnover in the second half of the game.

January 10, 2020

Kissimmee, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team returned to action on Friday evening, as they traveled to Kissimmee to play the Toho Tigers. The Knights had just come off a close loss to Mount Dora Christian Academy on Tuesday night and hoped to enact revenge against Toho, who had beaten the Knights in the season opener last month.

The Knights struggled to keep up with Toho’s offense in the first quarter, and unfortunately for the Knights that held true throughout the entirety of the game.  The Knights only mustered 7 points in the first quarter off three made field goals and one made foul shot.  Toho secured their lead at the end of the first quarter, 13-7.  Things got worse for the Knights in the second quarter, as they failed to stop Toho’s offense.  Toho scored 20 points in the second quarter off seven field goals and two three-pointers.  East Ridge failed to respond, and only scored 8 points off three field goals and two foul shots.  In the final minute of the first half, the Knights committed two unforced turnovers that turned into four transition points for the Tigers of Toho.  Toho extended their lead to end the half, 33-15.

The third quarter was much more competitive than the first half, as the Knights tried valiantly to bridge the deficit.  Junior Julian Cheese scored six of his fifteen points in the third quarter.  Sophomore Roshaun Thomas, senior Treasure Bennett, and senior Austin Grant contributed five more points from two made field goals and one foul shot.  The Tigers responded by also scoring eleven points in the quarter, retaining their lead 41-26 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was dismal for the Knights, as they failed to score in the first six minutes of the period.  The Tigers ran off six unanswered points, and were able to stall their offense in order to burn the clock and keep the Knights from having too many offensive possessions.  The Knights would muster eight points off three field goals and two foul shots, but it would not be enough against Toho.  Toho defeated the Knights 52-34.

The Knights’ record fell to 5 wins and 8 losses with a loss to Toho High School on Friday evening. The Knights were led by junior Julian Cheese with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Knights will play four games this week.  East Ridge will host Ridge Community on Monday, January 13, for a 7:00 pm tip-off.  Ridge Community defeated the Knights in their first contest earlier this season.  The Knights will also host their cross-town rival, South Lake High School, on Tuesday, January 14 for a 7:00 pm tip-off. Last season the Knights and the Eagles of South Lake split wins in their two contests. On Friday, January 17, the Knights will travel to play their other cross-town rival, Lake Minneola High School, for a 7:00 pm tip-off.  The Hawks of Lake Minneola got the better of East Ridge in their first contest earlier this season.  Finally, the Knights will travel to Ocala to compete in the MLK Classic held at Forest High School on Saturday, January 18.  The Knights will play against Lake Weir High School at 12:30 pm.