Umatilla – December 3
The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team traveled to Umatilla High School this past Monday to play in its second game of the season. The Bulldogs of Umatilla played host to the Knights for the first time in several seasons.
Coming off a close loss to Lake Minneola on Friday, the Knights looked to regroup, correct some mistakes, and earn a win against Umatilla. The Knights jumped out on the Bulldogs very quickly. East Ridge pressed the Bulldogs, and forced several turnovers and seized thirteen steals. The Knights capitalized on their defensive efforts and scored 28 points in the first quarter. Additionally, East Ridge held Umatilla scoreless in the first quarter. Umatilla settled into the second quarter a bit better than the first quarter, as they finally broke East Ridge’s scoring streak – outscoring the Knights 15 to 13. The Knights retained their lead, and at halftime, the score was 41 to 15. The second half witnessed more of East Ridge’s dominance over Umatilla, as the Bulldogs were held to six points in third quarter and six points in the fourth quarter. The Knights outmatched the Bulldogs in steals and rebounds, which propelled them to a 65 to 27 victory.
| Players | Total Points – 65 |
| Brown | 11 |
| Reed | 10 |
| Morales | 8 |
| Lupianez | 8 |
| Grant | 6 |
| Bennett | 6 |
| Holt | 4 |
| Jones | 4 |
| Metcalf | 4 |
| Favours | 4 |
Seniors Kendrick Brown and Malcolm Reed, who scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, led the Knights. Additionally, junior Treasure Bennett led the Knights with nine rebounds. Seniors Jose Morales and Malcolm Reed led the Knights in steals with six apiece. Both Kendrick Brown and Treasure Bennett contributed four assists each to help propel the Knights to victory.
Clermont – December 6
The Knights played host for the first time this season on Thursday night. The Eagles of Edgewater High School, last year’s District 5 champion, did battle in this sanctioned district game. Last season, Edgewater got the better of East Ridge in the one time they faced each other.
The Eagles jumped out on the Knights with a 4 – 0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. However, East Ridge responded valiantly. Three unanswered baskets, two three-pointers and a field goal, by senior Brian Lupianiez in less than a minute, put the Knights ahead 14 – 8 with three minutes to play in the first quarter. In the final minute of the opening quarter, the Knights and the Eagles exchanged three-pointers and held each other even at the close of the period – 19 – 19.
The Knights began the second quarter shooting a pair of technical foul shots. Capitalizing on those, the Knights took the lead 21 – 19. The second quarter continued as a contentious battle in much of the same fashion as the first quarter. In the first half of the game, there were six different lead changes. The Knights were able to get to the foul line in the second quarter and made seven of their eight free throws. Additionally, the Knights defended well and caused Edgewater to turn the ball over – holding the Eagles to just 13 points in the second quarter. The first half ended with both teams deadlocked at 32 points each.
Senior Kendrick Brown hit a three-pointer to start the third quarter in hopes to rally a Knights charge out of the halftime gates. However, Edgewater responded quickly. The Eagles went on a 12 – 0 run throughout the majority of the third quarter, as the Knights struggled to answer the challenge on the offensive end. Finally, a three-pointer from Brian Lupianez stopped the Eagles’ streak. The Knights fired back once more on another Kendrick Brown three-pointer, and cut the lead to six points, 47 – 41. This was as close as the Knights would get to the Eagles. Edgewater finished the third quarter with a ten-point lead, 51 – 41.
The Eagles looked to soar in the fourth quarter. Edgewater’s offense became too much for the Knights to handle. The Eagles dropped in thirty points in the final quarter of play, and the Knights just could not overcome their play. The final score was 81 – 61, as Edgewater handed East Ridge its first district loss of the season.
| Players | Total Points – 61 |
| Brown | 17 |
| Lupianez | 17 |
| Reed | 16 |
| Morales | 5 |
| Bennett | 4 |
| Holt | 2 |
East Ridge finished off the past week with a current record of two wins and one loss. This week the Knights will travel to Mount Dora on Tuesday afternoon, December 11th for a 1 pm, tip-off game in front of Mount Dora High School’s student body. On Thursday night, December 13th the Knights will play host to Windermere High School in their second district game of the season. Last season, East Ridge defeated Windermere High School in their two regular season games. The Knights will wrap up the week with an away game against their cross-town rival, South Lake High School on Friday, December 14that 7 pm.
Grant Mollett, M.Ed., is the ERHS Social Studies Department Chairperson, AP World History and AP European History Teacher, Varsity Girls Cross Country Coach, and Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach. He is also a contributing ERHS sports writer for the SOUTH LAKE TABLET.
