ELMA — A defensive struggle saw the Bobcats come out ahead with a 51-41 victory over the Eagles in Elma on Tuesday night.
Aberdeen (5-1 overall) got off to a fast start while Elma struggled to get its offense off the ground. Aberdeen had a 17-3 lead at the end of the first quarter in a period where Elma only hit one shot from the field.
Elma (1-6) didn’t let the game get out of hand, however, and tightened up on defense in the second quarter. Aberdeen’s Ben Dublanko led the way with 23 points. The senior point guard was the only Bobcat in double figures as Elma looked to limit shots from Aberdeen’s other guards.
Aberdeen head coach Mark Buckman gave credit to Elma coach Jeff Niemi for his defensive strategy.
“I thought they did a great job against us, trying to slow down our two best players,” he said. “They tried to speed us up at times when we needed to be a little more patient.”
Aberdeen carried a 31-18 lead into halftime, but Elma came out of the locker room hot and eventually cut the gap to 36-29 halfway through the third quarter.
Aberdeen built its lead back up by hitting a few shots of its own and limited Elma’s second chance opportunities with strong play on the boards.
Nick Farrer got some more playing time than usual with Derrell Shale out of the lineup and led the Bobcats with 11 rebounds.
Aberdeen’s Dailen King hits a mid-range jumper over Elma’s Josiah Jones-Wyeth on Tuesday. (Hasani Grayson | Grays Harbor News Group)
Farrer said it was important for everyone on his team to play within themselves with the game on the line.
“We all knew our roles and we all knew that we needed a win after losing last night,” he said. “I just wanted to play my role and that was getting boards for the team and I did the best I could out there.”
Elma made one more push to tie up the game in the fourth quarter when the Bobcats offense stalled.
The Eagles got a solid effort from Cody Vollan who put up 10 points, dished out six assists and spent a lot of time guarding Javier Bojorge.
Vollan hit two shots in the final minutes of the game to bring the score to single digits, but the comeback attempt fell short as Aberdeen hit free throws to put the game away when Elma was forced to foul.
Elma’s Cody Vollan takes a 3-point shot while Aberdeen’s Nick Farrer (23) closes out to defend. Vollan led the Eagles with 10 points. (Hasani Grayson | Grays Harbor News Group)
Niemi said Vollan did a lot to keep the Eagles afloat in the contest.
“Cody Vollan is pretty outstanding, To be the team’s best offensive player and defensive player is a tough thing to ask, but he can do it,” Niemi said. “He denied Bojorge all night and it was impressive to watch.”
Buckman was impressed with Elma’s defense but also felt his team’s energy was off. He noted that playing North Thurston on Monday along with the winter break made it difficult for his team to perform at its normal level.
“The winter break crept up on us with three games in our break,” he said. “It definitely takes the kids out of their routine. We do whatever we can to have them be more prepared when they come into practice and the games because, in the past, it’s taken a little bit more for us to conjure up that energy.”
Aberdeen will hope to have its energy back when they take on Hoquiam tonight at 7 at Sam Benn Gym.
Elma’s next game is on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Napavine at home.
Niemi said his team will have to limit the turnovers to be performing at its potential when they start the 1A Evergreen League schedule.
“I told the guys that Napavine will be a big game for us to get back on track because we have that tournament and then we’re into league ,” he said. “If you get shots, you can’t really complain at the end of the day, but if you don’t get enough shots you have to go back to work. We didn’t get enough this game.”
Elma 3 15 11 12 — 41
Aberdeen 17 14 12 8 — 51
Top Players: Aberdeen — Dublanko (23 pts.,), Farrer (2pts., 11 reb.); Elma — Vollan ( 10 pts, 6 asst.), Cobey Moore (9 pts., 11 reb.)
