Brewster wins 3-point shootout over Orangeville 80-60

Dec. 16—MCHENRY — No. 14 Brewster Academy and Orangeville Prep put on a show from 3-point range, combining for 28 makes.

However, Brewster took advantage of Orangeville's mistakes, dominating the glass and turnover margin in a 80-60 win on Friday at the Western Maryland Classic at Garrett College.

"I thought we did some pretty good things defensively," Brewster head coach Jason Smith said. "I thought we could've done a better job of playing 32 minutes defensively. I thought we had a lead and became a little complacent. But overall, I thought we got good contributions from everybody."

It didn't take long for the 3s to start falling. After winning the opening tip-off, Nojus Indrusaitis set up DJ Shine who knocked down a 3-pointer for the Bobcats (11-1, 2-1 EYBL Scholastic).

"I think Brewster's really good, hats off to them," Orangeville head coach Larry Blunt said. "Jason's a really good coach and had them locked in. They really scored the basketball at a high clip."

In the first half, Brewster was nearly unstoppable from deep. The Bobcats went 6 of 8 from beyond the arc with Indrusaitis and Elijah Crawford each hitting a pair.

"We do a lot of reps on a daily basis," Smith said. "We have a lot of high level shooters. Guys are stepping up, we have a couple guys, two starters out with injuries. It's an opportunity for other guys to earn minutes and take advantage of this trip. I think a lot of guys have done that."

The Bears (0-6 EYBL) struggled from deep to open the game, shooting 2 of 7 from deep, making 29%.

Despite the struggles from 3-point range, the Bears ended the quarter on a high note as Atok Makeur set up Xavier McLean who banked in a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"Every bucket for us is huge," Blunt said. "We're playing without some guys back home with injuries, that's no excuse. But every bucket for us is huge."

Brewster led 20-12 after one quarter and continued to build on its lead in the second quarter.

Sebastian Wilkins came up with a steal and Daniel Jacobsen hit a putback to give the Bobcats its biggest lead of the first half at 31-19 with 3:06 left.

"They spread you out, they have a lot of skill," Blunt said. "Everyone on the court can shoot it. They really understand their roles. They're really skilled with their spacing and ability to shoot it."

Orangeville cut the deficit to single digits on a jumper by McLean off a Makeur assist with 1:57 remaining.

Brewster held for the final shot and a 3-pointer by Shine rimmed out at the buzzer, keeping the halftime score 35-24.

Two areas that decided the game were rebounding and points off turnovers. The Bobcats had a 21-9 advantage in rebounds including an 11-2 edge in offensive boards.

Jacobsen, listed at 7-foot-2, grabbed seven offensive rebounds.

"I think it helps when you've got a 7-foot-2 guy in the middle," Smith said. "He did a great job on the offensive glass. I'm pleased with the energy and effort we gave today."

Brewster scored 12 points off five Orangeville turnovers. The Bears did not score off four Bobcat turnovers.

"It's something we always talk about, turning people over," Smith said. "Kids don't understand that the easiest way to play as a college freshman is know how to defend. People equate too often scoring with playing well and it's the opposite. If you can guard, you can play."

The Bobcats opened the second half with scores on its first two possessions. The Bears responded with back-to-back scores from McLean. He threw down a two-handed dunk and followed it with a 3-pointer.

Brewster answered as Indrusaitis set up Wilkins for a tomahawk dunk to push the lead to 13 points.

The Bobcats led 55-41 heading into the fourth.

After shooting 4 of 13 from 3-point range in the first half, Orangeville started finding success from deep in the second half.

The Bears went 3 for 5 in the third quarter and 5 of 8 in the fourth.

"The credit goes to our guys," Blunt said. "They're young, this is the first time most of them have been on this stage. But to see them grow every night, every game, it's really a credit to them."

With 1.1 seconds left, Makur inbounded to Jack McMahan. He banked in a corner 3 off the top of the backboard to cut Orangeville's deficit to 55-41.

"Those guys work on those shots a lot," Blunt said. "When they get an opportunity, it's great to see their work pay off."

The opening minutes of the fourth quarter was a 3-point shootout between the teams. Five of the first six combined scores were from beyond the arc.

Orangeville's McMahan and Crawford each scored twice for their teams in the first 90 seconds of the quarter. Crawford hit a pair of 3-pointers.

"We're skilled, we can really shoot the basketball," Blunt said. "With our guys, the more they're on this stage, the more they get a chance to play, you can see their confidence grow."

In the fourth quarter, the teams combined for 11 made 3-pointers.

Five players finished in double figure scoring for Brewster. Indrusaitis was named the game's MVP with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal.

"He's a tremendous player, just knows how to play," Smith said. "He doesn't do anything he's not capable of. Doesn't get sped up, doesn't take bad shots. Lets the game come to him. He's a good player, but he's a better kid."

Wilkins scored 15 points with five steals and four rebounds.

Crawford, Jacobsen and Shine each scored 12 points. Jacobsen added 11 rebounds and three blocks.

"Elijah makes us go," Smith said of Crawford. "Sebastian is ridiculously under recruited. He can play anywhere in the country. As a sophomore, he has a ridiculous ceiling."

McMahan made four of his seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. He scored 22 points in the second half and led all scorers with 25 points.

McLean scored 15 points with four rebounds and two assists.

"He has a reputation of being able to shoot the basketball," Blunt said. "He made a few mid ranges, a couple at the rim today which is growth. I was most proud of his competitive spirit and leadership."

Brewster finished 16 of 25 from deep while Orangeville shot 12 of 26.

Both teams represent the EYBL Scholastic conference made up of the top prep basketball programs in North America.

Orangeville is the only Canadian program in the EYBL.

"When you see people leave their homes and have a chance to do it on their home soil, the first time we were there 11years ago I was there for three years and in those years I think we had 30 Division I players and six NBA players. To be able to come back and give more Canadians an opportunity is really cool."

Both teams play on Saturday on the final day of the Western Maryland Classic.

Brewster plays Veritas Academy at noon. Orangeville faces Rock Creek at 1:45 p.m.

Jordan Kendall is a Sports Writer for the Cumberland Times-News. Email him with scores and story suggestions at jkendall@times-news.com.