NEW PARIS — National Trail’s boys’ basketball team picked up a pair of wins this past weekend in two totally different ways. The Blazers, who have now won four straight games, posted a two-point win on Friday and a 37-point victory the following night.
The wins pushed the Blazers’ overall record to 9-2. They are 2-2 in the Cross County Conference with some key games coming up on the schedule.
On Friday, Jan. 4, the Blazers hosted Seton Catholic out of Richmond, Ind. NT led throughout the game and held on to take a 46-44 win.
“Zach Woodall led the team with 14 points and also had 17 rebounds to help us hold off a very good Seton team,” coach Mike Harrison said.
Cameron Harrison also had 12 points and five rebounds and Hunter Michael contributed three steals and eight rebounds.
“Seton is a solid team,” Harrison added. “We knew we were going to have to do a very good job guarding them, keeping them in front of us without fouling, and then rebounding the ball. They came into the game averaging 24 free throw attempts a game, primarily because of their ability to drive the ball and offensive rebound.
“We held them to seven free throw attempts and out rebounded them 37-30. I couldn’t have been more pleased with our defensive effort and our effort on the glass. We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but this was the type of tough, gutty win that we really needed to be able to get.”
On Saturday, NT jumped out to an early lead and defeated Dayton Jefferson, 77-40. By the end of the first period, the Blazers had control of the game and a 30-10 lead.
Hunter Michael posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Cameron Harrison led the team 23 points and had three steals. Travis Hunt added 13 points, seven assists, and four steals. Evynn Short chipped in with 10 points. In all, eight different Blazers scored.
“We were able to jump on Jefferson early, forcing eight turnovers in the first quarter and shot extremely well early, hitting 80 percent of our shots, including 5-of-6 from three, in that quarter to build quite a lead.
“I was happy with the way the kids came out and played hard from the get-go.”
National Trail was scheduled to play Miami East on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at home, in a key CCC game. They will travel to Brookville on Saturday, Jan. 12, in non-CCC action.
