BonnerSprings.com

By Mark Lee

Special to the Chieftain/Sentinel

Defense could be the key in the Bonner Springs High School boys' basketball game against Tonganoxie on Friday.

The Braves, 1-4, return to the basketball court for the first time since the holidays with an important Kaw Valley League contest on the road at Tonganoxie.

Bonner Springs is 0-1 in KVL games this season.

Bonner Springs coach Ryan Hull said practices over winter break have been geared toward trying to find answers to the Braves lack of height.

The team also is working on its defensive plans for the Chieftains on Friday.

"Tonganoxie will be a lot bigger than us," Hull said. "We need to find out what to do to solve our size problem. But our size problem is something we will have to face all year long."

Hull mentioned that one of his best defensive players this year has been reserve senior sparkplug Tyler Jock.

"Tyler Jock has come off the bench as our sixth man and given us some good defense," Hull said. "But he doesn't make us lose anything on offense either, since he is also a good shooter."

On the offensive side of the ball, senior letterman Ariel Adger has led the way by averaging 13 points a game for the Braves.

"From last year to this year, Ariel has picked up his offense a lot," Hull said. "But I am a firm believer that defense leads to offense by creating opportunities for Ariel. Ariel leads us on fast break points and he gets a lot of easy baskets inside for us for a 5-9 guy."

But senior L.T. Lee has actually had the top offensive game for the Braves so far with a 21-point effort in Bonner's last game before Christmas vacation.

"L.T. helped us come back in the game in the second half," Hull said.

"But Ariel gave L.T. four or five assists in that game in the second half."

Adger, Lee, senior Chase McGhee and sophomore Martin Birch have been the most consistent starters this season.

"Our starters played a lot together last year," Hull said. "They have been working really well together. They have picked up their communication very well."

But one area the team needs to improve upon for the Tonganoxie game is its late game foul shooting and defensive fouling.

"We have lost three of our four games because it has come down to free throws," Hull said. "We have lost three games by seven, five and four points, including one in overtime. Close game fouls at the end of the game have caused us problems. We need to turn the corner in the second half of the season."

Hull said the team has remained upbeat about the season.

"The kids have stayed positive," Hull said. "We just need to get our feet under us. We are looking forward to the second half of the season."

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