The North White boys basketball team got a lot of what they wanted in the first half against a tough Covenant Christian team on Saturday at home.
But despite limiting turnovers against the press and holding Knights stars Chris Beezhold and Ben Lins below their season scoring average, the Vikings couldn’t overcome a 4-for-25 first half performance from the floor in a 78-45 loss.
North White trailed 33-11 at the half and was never able to get back into the game despite a strong second half performance from Cale Robertson, who scored all 15 of his points after the break.
Grant Buschman added 13 points and the Vikings also got strong defensive performances from Brayden Buschman, Trey Cobb, Tyler Hook and Chase Connnell, coach Ron Best said.
“I thought in every aspect but shooting, we played one of our best first halves of the year tonight,” Best said. “Unfortunately, you’re just not going to have success if you’re not putting the ball in the basket, and we missed probably 20 points worth of makeable shots to start the game.
“It just keeps coming back to confidence, and our lack of it because of our youth and inexperience. We have to believe the ball is going in when we put it up, or we’re going to continue to struggle with our shots.”
North White (0-13) hosts Carroll on Thursday and Rochester on Saturday for its next games, and Best remains optimistic that his team will get its first win soon.
“Our kids are working hard, and they’ve never given up in spite of the losses,” Best said. “I really believe that we’re going to put it all together — shooting and defense — on one of these nights before the season is over, as long as we keep that attitude.”
