The East Ridge High School Knights Recover In Their Third Week Of Play!

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

The Knights played five games in their third week. Unfortunately, East Ridge dropped two very tight games at the beginning of the week.  However, they picked up three consecutive wins at the DME Sports Academy Christmas Classic to end the week!  See below for full game recaps and statistics from week three.

December 16, 2019

Mount Dora, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team traveled to Mount Dora on Monday night to play Mount Dora High School. East Ridge, having come off a tough week, hoped to get back to their winning ways with a victory against the Hurricanes.  Last season, the Knights defeated the Hurricanes in both of their contests.

Mount Dora played hard against East Ridge, and the first quarter set the stage for the way the entire game would play out.  The Hurricanes scored the first basket of the game, but the Knights retaliated with seven unanswered points off two field goals by junior Julian Cheese and a three-point basket by senior Treasure Bennett.  The Hurricanes, however, responded with a three-point field goal, making the score 7-5, with East Ridge in the lead.  In the last three minutes of the quarter, Mount Dora went on a 6-0 runoff three field goals, establishing an 11-8 lead.  However, Julian Cheese would go hard to the basket and was fouled on a made layup.  Cheese capitalized on the foul shot to tie the game, 11-11, at the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter began sluggishly for both teams’ offenses.  Midway through the period, Treasure Bennett made two foul shots to put the Knights ahead, but the Hurricanes quickly responded with a three-point field goal to retake the lead. Mount Dora followed up with two made foul shots, holding East Ridge to merely two points in the first six minutes of the second quarter.  The Knights responded in the final two minutes of the first half, outscoring the Hurricanes 7-2.  Senior Gavin Schepman and Julian Cheese made a field goal each, and senior Austin Grant made a three-pointer to secure the Knights’ lead, 20-18, going into halftime.

The third quarter continued to play out competitively, as the Hurricanes scored four unanswered points in the first three minutes, regaining a lead, 22-20.  The Knights responded with a field goal by Treasure Bennett to tie the game.  The Knights and the Hurricanes went back and forth for the next two minutes.  Julian Cheese was able to capitalize on four of his five foul shots in the period, including one he made after being fouled on a layup.  Late in the quarter, Treasure Bennett hit his second three-pointer of the night to extend the Knights’ lead to five, 31-26.  However, the Hurricanes ended the quarter with a made field goal, and the Knights would lead by just three, 31-28.  Mount Dora came out firing in the fourth quarter, as they went on a nine-point run off four foul shots, a field goal, and a three-point shot.  The Hurricanes took the lead in the final four minutes of the game, 37-31.  The Knights went cold, scoring just five points off a field goal and a three-pointer.  The Knights only made one trip to the foul line in the fourth quarter and missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw.  Mount Dora, on the other hand, capitalized on four of their five foul shots, ultimately giving them the edge against East Ridge.  The Hurricanes defeated the Knights 39-36.

The Knights’ record fell to 2 wins and 5 losses with the loss to Mount Dora High School on Monday evening. The Knights were led in scoring by Junior Julian Cheese with 18 points. Senior Treasure Bennett contributed 10 points. Julian Cheese led the Knights in rebounds, grabbing 7 total. Seniors Treasure Bennett and Gavin Schepman led the Knights with 3 assists each. Senior Dwanye Maduro led the Knights with 1 steal. As a team, the Knights struggled to take care of the ball, amassing 17 turnovers in the game.  Incidentally, 11 of those turnovers came in the second half, which proved to be costly to the Knights.  Additionally, the Knights went just 4 for 21 from behind the arc and shot merely 29% from the field.

December 17, 2019

Haines City, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team returned to action on Tuesday evening, as they traveled to Haines City to play the Ridge Community Bolts. The Knights had just come off a close loss to Mount Dora High School on Monday night, and hoped to break their four-game losing streak against Ridge Community.

The Knights started the game with junior Julian Cheese scoring the first basket, but the Bolts responded with a three point shot, and a subsequent field goal.  Cheese attacked the basket again, and scored another field goal.  Then the Bolts made good on one of two foul shots, but senior Austin Grant quickly responded with a three point field goal.  The Knights and the Bolts battled the remainder of the first quarter, which was characterized by five different lead changes.  The Knights and the Bolts were dead even at the end of the first quarter, 11-11.  The second quarter proved to be as competitive as the first, as the Bolts scored the first basket of the quarter.  Cheese responded with a basket, but was followed up by a Ridge Community three point basket.  Ridge would also capitalize on one of two foul shots, extending their lead 17-13 with less than four minutes to play in the first half.  However, the Knights picked up their offense, outscoring the Bolts 7-2 in the remainder of the second quarter.  Senior Dawson Metcalf contributed five points off of a made field goal and a three point shot.  The quarter ended with a basket by Julian Cheese which put the Knights up one against the Bolts, 20-19.

Senior Kyle Stanley opened the third quarter getting fouled on a made layup.  Unfortunately, Stanley was unable to capitalize on the free throw.  In fact, the Knights would struggle to even get to the line throughout the game, and subsequently, struggle to capitalize on foul shots.  The Knights did not make it to the foul line in the first half, and only shot seven foul shots the entire night.  Worse, the Knights only capitalized on two of those seven foul shots, shooting a mere 29% from the line.  Ridge responded with seven unanswered points in the middle of the third quarter, taking the lead with a score of 26-22 with four minutes left in the third quarter.  Austin Grant responded with a field goal, but Ridge was quick to hit another three point shot.  In the final minute of the quarter, Grant hit second three of the game, which cut the lead to two points.  Ridge Community secured their lead 32-30 at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter started well for Ridge Community, as they scored five unanswered points off three free throws and a made field goal, and extended the lead, 37-30 – their largest lead of the game.  Over the next two minutes of the quarter, the Knights would regroup, outscoring the Bolts 6-1 off three successful field goals.  Both teams dug in defensively, as the score sat at 38-36, with Ridge Community in the lead, for the next two minutes.  With under two minutes left, senior Gavin Schepman hit a big three point shot to take the lead for East Ridge, 39-38. The Bolts raced up the floor, but East Ridge was able to make a great defensive stop.  The Knights pitched the ball ahead in an attempt to extend their lead, but missed the layup.  The Bolts retaliated with a rebound, fast break, and then fouled on a made layup. Ridge capitalized on the foul shot, and secured a lead, 41-39.  In the final minute of play, Austin Grant went one for two from the line, which cut the lead to one.  The Knights fouled to stop the clock, and Ridge capitalized on both foul shots, making the score 43-40. The Knights moved the ball quickly up the floor in hopes to make a quick basket, but to no avail.  However, Kyle Stanley was able to grab the offensive rebound, and quickly score on a put back, cutting the lead to one, 43-42.  Once again, the Knights needed to stop the clock, so they fouled Ridge Community.  Ridge made good on both foul shots.  In yet another close game, East Ridge fell to Ridge Community by a score of 44-42.

The Knights’ record fell to 2 wins and 6 losses with the loss to Ridge Community High School on Tuesday evening. The Knights were led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 14 points. Seniors Austin Grant and Kyle Stanley contributed 12 points and 8 points, respectively. Kyle Stanley led the team in rebounds (5) and steals (2). Senior Treasure Bennett led the Knights in assists with 2 total.  The Knights were out rebounded by the Bolts, 19-22.  East Ridge improved on their three-point and field goal percentages, making 44% of their three pointers, and 46% of their field goals.  However, they only got to the foul line seven times, and made just two, shooting 29% from the line.  The Knights also improved by taking care of the ball, committing just 7 turnovers the entire game.

December 19, 2019

Daytona Beach, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team had little time to rest after two close losses earlier in the week. The Knights played in three games at the DME Sports Academy Christmas Classic in Daytona Beach on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  In spite of the busy week, the Knights took charge! They opened up the Classic against First Baptist Christian Academy out of Bunnell, Florida.

The Knights set the tone of the game very early in the first quarter, as they rattled off eight unanswered points against the Crusaders.  In fact, the Knights would hold them to just four points in the first quarter.  The Knights scored twenty points in the opening period off four foul shots and eight field goals, to secure the lead 20-4 at the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter was more of the same by East Ridge, as they poured seventeen more points onto their lead against the Crusaders.  East Ridge made eight field goals and one foul shots, and held First Baptist to just six points in the second quarter.  The Knights were in firm control with a score of 37-10 at halftime.

The Knights continued to dominate the Crusaders in the second half of the game.  They outscored First Baptist 22-8 in the third quarter off eleven made field goals.  The Knights improved their lead, 59-15, at the end of the third quarter. The Knights looked to finish off the Crusaders in the fourth quarter, as they outscored them 10 – 8 off five field goals.  The Crusaders capitalized on six of eight foul shots in the final period, but the game was too far out of their reach.  First Baptist struggled to score against East Ridge’s defense throughout the entire game, as they had no one who could match up with East Ridge’s height.  Ultimately, the Knights won the game convincingly, 69-23.

The Knights’ record improved to 3 wins and 6 losses with the win against First Baptist Christian Academy out of Bunnell on Thursday afternoon. The Knights were led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 13 points. Additionally, senior Kyle Stanley contributed 10 points and junior Jhon Viana-Filho contributed 9 points. The Knights were led in redounds (9) and steals (3) by Julian Cheese. East Ridge was led in assists by senior Dwanye Maduro with 3 total assists. The Knights dominated the boards, amassing 37 rebounds against the Crusaders.  East Ridge also shot well from the floor, as they made 32 of 60 field goal attempts (53%).  However, the Knights struggled from the three point line, shooting 0 for 4.  Additionally, they struggled from the foul line, making just 5 of 12 (42%).

December 20, 2019

Daytona Beach, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team returned to Daytona Beach on Friday for their second game in the DME Sports Academy Christmas Classic.  The Knights took on Crooms Academy out of Sanford.

The Knights ran their offense very well against the Panthers of Crooms Academy.  East Ridge was able to run off twelve unanswered points in the first four minutes of the game off four field goals, a three pointer, and a foul shot.  The Knights’ defense gave up just five points to Crooms in the first quarter.  East Ridge secured a large lead at the end of the quarter, 20-5.  During the second quarter, the Knights continued to commit to defense, as they held Crooms to just a single point in the entire period.  East Ridge was able to extend their lead by outscoring the Panthers 11-1 off four field goals and a three point shot in the second quarter.  The Knights led at halftime, 31-6.

Crooms picked up their offense in the third quarter, scoring ten points off four field goals and two foul shots.  The Knights put in eleven more points off three field goals and a three pointer.  The Knights improved their lead, 41-16, at the end of the third quarter.  The Knights looked to finish off the Panthers in the fourth quarter, as they outscored them 11 – 8 off three field goals, one three pointer, and two foul shots.  In the end, the Knights proved to be too much for the Panthers, as the Knights coasted to their four victory of the season with a score of 52-24.

The Knights’ record improved to 4 wins and 6 losses with the win against Crooms Academy out of Sanford on Friday afternoon. The Knights were led in scoring by senior Austin Grant with 11 points. Additionally, junior Julian Cheese and sophomore Roshaun Thomas contributed 8 points each. The Knights were led in redounds by Julian Cheese who grabbed 5 total. East Ridge was led in assists by senior Treasure Bennett with 4 total assists. Austin Grant led the Knights in steals with 4 total.  The Knights dominated the boards, amassing 37 rebounds against the Panthers.  East Ridge shot poorly compared to their previous game, making just 4 of 15 from the three point line (27%), 22 of 59 field goals (37%), and 4 of 15 from the foul line (27%). The Knights played unselfishly, as they amassed 14 assists for the game.

December 21, 2019

Daytona Beach, Florida

The East Ridge High School boys’ basketball team returned to Daytona Beach on Saturday for their third game in the DME Sports Academy Christmas Classic, and this time the Knights took on the host school – DME Sports Academy.

The Knights opened up with a field goal by senior Kyle Stanley, but DME responded with a three point shot.  DME was tough from beyond the arc, as they made four three-pointers in the first quarter.  DME was able to jump out on the Knights, 9-4, in the first four minutes of play.  The Knights answered back with a three pointer by senior Austin Grant, but DME responded quickly with their fourth three of the quarter.  DME ended the first quarter with a 12-10 lead against the Knights.  The Knights picked up their offensive game in the second quarter, as they started with a 12-2 run.  Junior Julian Cheese was too much for DME’s defense, as he scored 8 of his 22 points in the second quarter.  East Ridge also played well defensively, holding DME to 7 points in the quarter.  The Knights pulled ahead of DME, and led 26-19 at halftime.

The third quarter was much more competitive.  Julian Cheese was fouled hard as he went to the basket, and temporarily came off the floor.  His teammate, senior Dawson Metcalf, made good on the two foul shots.  The Knights followed up with a field goal by senior Treasure Bennett.  DME responded with a three pointer to cut the Knights’ lead to 8.  Metcalf would score a field goal, but DME came right back with their second three pointer of the third quarter, cutting the lead back down to 7.  Senior Austin Grant scored a field goal, but once again, DME had a response, and scored two unanswered field goals, cutting the lead to 5, with two minutes to play in the third quarter.  Senior Treasure Bennett made good on two field goals, to bring the Knights back up by 9 in the final two minutes of the third quarter.  DME scored four points in the final two minutes off two successful technical foul shots and a field goal.  Julian Cheese capped off the quarter by scoring a field goal, and giving the Knights a 40-33 lead.  DME was able to match the Knights 14-14 in the third quarter.  The Knights came out in the fourth quarter determined to play better defense in order to finish off DME.  East Ridge was able to hold DME to just six points in the fourth quarter.  The Knights scored ten points in the final period off four field goals by Julian Cheese and two foul shots by Treasure Bennett.  The Knights put DME away 50-39.

The Knights’ record improved to 5 wins and 6 losses with the win against DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach on Saturday morning. The Knights were led in scoring by junior Julian Cheese with 22 points. Additionally, senior Austin Grant contributed 11 points. Julian Cheese also led the Knights in redounds, grabbing 15 rebounds. East Ridge was led in assists and steals by junior Jhon Viana-Filho with 4 assists and 4 steals. The Knights dominated the boards, amassing 36 rebounds against DME.  East Ridge shot poorly from the three point line, making just 2 of 7 (29%).  However, the Knights improved their field goal and free throw percentages, making 20 of 49 from the field (41%) and 8 of 12 from the foul line (67%).  The Knights continued their unselfish play, as they amassed 13 assists for the game.

The Knights will return to action after the holidays.  East Ridge will host Mount Dora Christian Academy on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 for a 7:00 pm tip-off.  Then on Friday, January 10, 2020, the Knights will travel to Kissimmee to play in their second contest against Toho High School for a 7:00 pm tip-off.