Arcanum drops close game to Ft. Recovery

Early, we were doing a good job controlling things ... Coach Kevin Brackman

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Arcanum junior Cameron Ball scores two to lead all scorers with a game high 19 points in non-conference game with Ft. Recovery. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

ARCANUM – The shorthanded Arcanum Trojans dropped a 48-44 varsity basketball game to the visiting Ft. Recovery Indians in non-conference action.

The Trojans took the court without their second leading scorer Matthew McCans on the sideline with an injury.

“That hurts because in a game they played the whole first half a one-three-one we’re looking for shots,” Brackman said of McCans’ injury. “We were able to throw some guys out on the court that can shoot it but tonight he may have been able to put a few through and been the difference. We hope to get him back next week and get him healthy and get back in the swing of things.”

The visitors took the opening quarter 11-9, with Cameron Ball knocking down six Trojans points and Landon Flatter draining a 3-pointer.

Arcanum’s Landon Flatter draws a foul going to the rim in home game with Ft. Recovery. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“Early, we were doing a good job controlling things, but they have a great point guard, and he was able to get to the rack, plays a similar game that Landon does,” said Coach Brackman. “They are a team that we went up there last year, and we were able to get one, and we knew them coming down here was going to be a battle.”

Arcanum outscored the Indians 16-15 in second-quarter action led by eight Ball points, sending the teams to halftime with Ft. Recovery leading 26-25.

Period No. 3 mirrored the opening quarter, with the Indians outscoring the home team 11-9 for a 37-34 Ft. Recovery lead with one quarter to play. Ball posted five and Flatter four points in the third for Arcanum.

Cole Kessler scores for the Trojans in Saturday night matchup with Ft. Recovery Indians. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

The taller Ft. Recovery Indians earned the win, taking the fourth quarter 11-10. Flatter paced the Trojans with seven fourth-quarter points.

“They outmatched us at every position size-wise,” Brackman noted. “Two guys at 6’5” and that gave us fits when our guards who are 5’10” are having to match up with them.”

Cameron Ball led Arcanum and all scorers with 19 points, and teammate Landon Flatter chipped in 17 Trojans points.

Graham Brubaker brings the ball upcourt for Arcanum in the Trojans non-conference matchup with Ft. Recovery. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“We have to get back on Monday and work on the things that we know we have to work on,” Coach Brackman stated. “Our defense wasn’t the best tonight. Seven out of our eight losses are by five points or less.”

“We knew coming into the year what we had ahead of us, and I wouldn’t want to play with a different group of guys,” Brackman concluded. “They are a great group of kids. We have to find a way to win these close ones.”

BOXSCORE:

FT. RECOVERY 48, ARCANUM 44

FT. RECOVERY – G. Evers 16, H. Overman 15, B. Jutte 9, C. Post 5, Barga 3 – TOTALS 18 6-12 2 48

ARCANUM – C. Ball 19, L. Flatter 17, G. Brubaker 3, C. Etherington 3, C. Kessler 2 – TOTALS 44

3-POINTERS

Ft. Recovery 2 (Overman 1, Post 1)
Arcanum 4 (L. Flatter 2, G. Brubaker 1, C. Etherington 1)

SCORE by QUARTERS

11-15-11-11 48 Ft. Recovery
09-16-09-10 44 Arcanum