DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
HUNTERTOWN – A new basketball season got underway for the Bellmont Braves in a hostile environment against a team looking to defend a 4A sectional title Wednesday and the Carroll Chargers out-rebounded and out-shot their former conference foes en route to a 67-44 victory in the Carroll Fieldhouse.
Coming off a season with just five wins, the Bellmont schedule was not kind with Carroll as the new opener. The two schools had not met in boys’ play since the rather messy divorce of the Chargers from the old NHC ten years ago.
It was, however, not an unfamiliar opponent for Charger head coach Chris Benedict, who has faced the Braves 25 times over his long career.
The contest was dominated by the guard-center combination of Jack VanOrder and Brody Fisher. VanOrder’s ability to drive to the rim and shoot from distance gave him 19 points at the end of the night. Fisher killed the Braves down low, especially early on, and finished 8 for 12 from the field and 5 of 7 from the line for a 21-point night, leading all scorers.
Fisher led the Chargers with seven boards, while Miles Hering had six. The home team held a considerable rebounding advantage in the opening half, doubling up the Braves’ team total.
Bellmont struggled early but a late run in the first quarter closed the gap to just 15-14.
The rebounding advantage, coupled with nine Bellmont turnovers in the first half, allowed Carroll to re-build a lead in the second. They held the Braves to just two made field goals and ballooned their lead to 33-19.
The Chargers were 12 of 22 from inside the arc in the opening half, while Bellmont attempted just nine shots for two. They were kept in the game by Daniel Selking and Cam Summers knocking down four threes.
The home team came out of halftime with renewed vigor, holding the Braves off the scoreboard until the 2:05 mark, when Selking hit a three, prompting a quick time out by his coach (and uncle). Coach Selking’s pause and team talk made an impact, and the Braves locked down on defense to keep the Chargers off the board the rest of the third. The lead, however, was still at 17 points.
The Braves attempted to apply some pressure in the full court in the fourth, but it was often beaten by Carter Middleton, who ended the night a perfect 5-for-5 from inside the arc, finishing with 11 points.
Jack Schultz, Daniel Selking and Cam Summers each hit a three in the fourth quarter, but the Braves were outscored by their 4A opponents, giving the Chargers the 23-point win.
Bellmont struggled to penetrate the Charger defense without turning it over, often resorting to long threes and off-balance long balls. The Braves ended the night 9 for 24, attempting more shots from three than from two. Daniel Selking was 4 of 12 from three, while Cam Summers was 4 for 7.
The Braves were 5 of 8 from the free throw line.
Easton Baker had a positive contribution in his debut. The freshman handled the ball well and looked up to the task of competing with upperclassmen. The Braves went just six players deep on the night. The other five players all scored, with Isaac Baker knocking down a shot for two points and Jake Hackman hitting one free throw.
Jack Schultz had six points, along with four rebounds and two blocks.
Bellmont will host the Woodlan Warriors and John Baker, the former BHS head coach and alum, who led the Warriors to an ACAC tourney title a year ago, along with 18 wins and a spot in the sectional championship game against Bishop Luers. Baker holds a 3-4 record against his alma mater since being let go in 2017 and has won 98 games with the East Allen school.
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