02/07/2025
BY JACK BULLOCK
METROPOLIS - It didn't take too long for Coach Andy Fehrenbacher's Harrisburg Bulldogs to get the message from this mentor.

Or as he put it; a 'heart to heart' conversation after a timeout in the first quarter of their game at Massac County on Friday night.

Following the 'pow-wow' in the opening minutes, Harrisburg got things going in the second quarter and finished off with a strong showing in a 55-41 win.

Trailing early 11-5 that forced the first timeout, the Bulldogs got things going with a 10-2 run to begin the second frame.

That run propelled Harrisburg into a lead they wouldn't give up.

Harrisburg improved its stock to 18-8 overall, 3-2 in the Ohio Division of the SIRR, with the road victory over the Patriots.

Head coach Joe Hosman's club continues to search for answers as they fell to 11-13 overall and 0-6 in the division.

“I'm proud of the kids. The start was a little concerning. I had to burn a timeout and have a little 'heart to heart' there. They got the message,” said Coach Fehrenbacher. “We were down at the end of the first quarter but we got the lead in the second quarter and I thought we had a fantastic second half. It helps when the ball goes in the basket.”

Six-four senior forward Owen Rann nailed down four 3-pointers for Harrisburg and finished with 15-points.

The Bulldogs got a solid game from senior guard Adrian Mann, who ended up with 14-points.

Rann and Mann hauled in four rebounds each.

Six-one senior guard Jalon Ellis pitched in 13-points, including 7-of-10 free throws, and he grabbed nine-rebounds.

Coach Fehrenbacher got a big lift from his reserves, namely sophomore guard Braxton Murphy.

Murphy added six-points in the second half.

Senior Cayden Young added five-points and his 3-pointer in the early part of the third quarter was followed by a Mann trifecta for a 34-26 lead.

The Bulldogs put the game away late with six-consecutive free throws for the key league road conquest.

The Patriots got 21-points from senior guard Jack Turner as he was the lone offensive bright spot as they dropped their third game against Harrisburg this season.

Sophomore Jude Harmon scored 10-points for Massac County.

Senior Grady Bormann (five) and senior Nate Eskridge (four) added points for Coach Hosman.

Bormann scored all five of his points in the first quarter the Patriots got off to a good start.

Borman's only made 3-pointer followed consecutive scores from Turner for an early 7-3 lead.

Two more buckets by Turner, including a 3-pointer in the final seconds, made it 14-9 Massac at the end of the first.

(CONTINUED)

Harrisburg struck early in the second quarter, getting a 3-pointer from the right corner from Rann and a pair of free throws from Young.

A conventional three-point play from Rann gave Harrisburg a 17-16 lead with 5:25 left in the half.

A transition score from Ellis closed out the 10-2 push.

Ellis added four more points and Rann nailed down a second 3-pointers for a 26-20 halftime lead.

“He (Ellis) can handle the ball, he's quick and can hit that high gear and blow right by people,” said Coach Fehrenbacher. “He can get to the rim and draw a foul. He can create something when nothing is going on. He is also picking up on what we're doing defensively.”

Scores from Turner and Eskridge got the Patriots to within 28-24 early in the third quarter but that was as close as Massac County got to the Bulldogs the rest of the way.

Young and Rann each canned long range three's and four more free throws by Ellis sent the Bulldogs to the final stanza up 39-32.

Rann's final 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter preceded a rebound basket by Mann and two free throws from Murphy.

When Mann nailed down his second 3-pointer of the contest, seventh for the team, the Bulldogs were in command at 49-36 with just 2:11 remaining.

Murphy scored on a press breaking fast break on an inbound play before Mann and Ellis closed the book from the foul line.

Harrisburg ended up 17-of-40 from the floor, 7-of-16 from the 3-point line.

The Bulldogs held a slight 24-22 rebounding edge but they committed just eight-turnovers, three of which came late after the damage had been handed out.

Massac hit just 18-of-45 from the field, 4-of-16 from 3-point range and ended up with 13-turnovers.

Another significant key to the contest was the Patriots inability to get to the foul line.

Massac County senior Josh Fisher hit 1-of-2 free throws with 2:02 left in the third quarter.

It was the hosts only trip to the foul line in the entire game.

Harrisburg hit 14-of-17 free throws.

The Patriots travel to Ballard (KY.) Memorial Saturday while the Bulldogs play at Carterville on Tuesday night.

“Getting a road win, especially here at Massac, it's always a big win,” said Coach Fehrenbacher. “When you make shots and players make plays it make it looks good and I thought defensively we were pretty good tonight. To hold them to 41 on their home floor that is excellent.”