Boyd debuted its beautiful new court at JK Stanley Gymnasium Monday night, but it wasn’t christened with a win against Lighthouse Christian. The Broncos fell 56-30, dropping to 0-3 this season.
It’s not been easy for the Broncos to replace nearly its entire roster from last year, including leading scorers Christian Rogers and Sam Page. Coach Chris Perry knew it was going to be a work in progress and he’s still looking for who can step up and be the team’s top option in crucial situations.
“We’re still looking to see who the offense will flow through. It’s still finding who needs the ball in their hands and in what situations. They’re all new – they’ve never played together. I’ve not coached a good number of these guys before as well. We’re still learning and sometimes it shows,” said Perry.
Jordan Perry led the team with nine points, while big man Dylan Vandeveer added eight points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Jack Rhoton and Jaxon Grissom chipped in four points apiece, but the whole team went silent in the fourth quarter.
Boyd had a chance to cut Lighthouse’s lead to single digits in the final seconds of the third quarter. Perry got a wide-open triple from the wing, but it hit back iron as Boyd went into the final period trailing 39-27. It turned out to be a precursor of a tough finish for the offense, which went completely missing in the fourth.
The Broncos went the final eight minutes without a field goal as Lighthouse turned the game into a blowout. Grissom hit two free throws late and Rhoton had a freebie of his own for Boyd’s lone points in the fourth.
While it was a disappointing end to what was an otherwise tight contest for three quarters, it was still as step in the right direction for the Broncos. Boyd was reeling a bit after opening its season with a 84-11 loss to Franklin Road Christian last Thursday, but coach Perry has seen growth in the last two outings against Lighthouse and the Bradley Knights (who beat the Broncos 51-25 Friday).
“We’re getting better at knowing where to be and what to do. Defensively, it can be knowing the defense we’re in and knowing how to play help side. Being on offense, it’s knowing when to cut and where the open places are,” said Perry. “I kind of took it for granted that our guys in the past had done it for so long that they knew it, but these guys are still learning from scratch.”
Boyd was back on the road Tuesday night to face Academy of G.O.D. Scores weren’t available at press time. The Broncos will be back on the floor this Thursday for a day game at Grundy County. Tip-off is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m.
