Wayne Christian boys turn back Bethel Christian

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on January 9, 2011 1:51 AM

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Wayne Christian looked lost for one quarter.

The Eagles found their way and turned things around in the second period during a 44-34, non-conference win over Bethel Christian on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Franklin Brathwaite decided to start his five seniors in honor of homecoming weekend inside Clifford Gymnatorium. The result was poor rotations on defense and bad timing on the offensive end.

Bethel Christian took advantage and opened up a 12-5 lead after eight minutes.

"Our guys were playing out of position, and that was my fault because I started a couple of guys that are not used to starting," said Brathwaite. "I made one substitution and that allowed us to run a little bit in the second quarter and get into a groove."

Wayne Christian stepped up its defense in the second quarter as well.

The Eagles held Bethel to just two points in the period and turned a seven-point deficit into an eight-point lead at the intermission.

Mounting foul trouble on both sides led to a slower-paced third quarter. The teams traded baskets until the final minute of the period when a basket by David Swets extended the Wayne Christian lead to double digits.

The advantage would never be cut to single digits at any point in the fourth quarter.

"Once we got ourselves into a little bit of a groove everything seemed to come a little bit easier," said Brathwaite. "The nice thing was we got to start and then finish the game with our five seniors on the floor."

Tyler Mooring led the Eagles' offense with 10 points and seven rebounds. Swets and Jordan Crouthamel added seven points apiece for Wayne Christian.

Connor Rivero led Bethel with nine points and four boards.

Weather permitting, Wayne Christian (4-9 overall) plays host to Trinity of Raleigh on Tuesday night.