Band of Brotherhood Rocks the House for Burroughs at MICDS Friday Night

Just kinda seems like John Burroughs basketball has a team divided into types of athletes. There are the slimmer, taller ones who mainly play roundball. Then, there are the more muscular, “band of brotherhood” from the once-beaten football team who can carry  much of the load, just like they did with MICDS Rams gridiron defenders on their backs last fall.

The football refugees, Zeke Elliott, Foye Oluokun, Trevor Bain and newcomer Nathan VanSlyke combined for 32 of the Bombers total points, en-route to a thrilling 40-38 win over their rivals and nemesis on “Pink Out Night” in the MICDS gym. Events at this night annually raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Elliott says its just a necessity to play every season on their sprawling campus where there are just 50 boys in each class level. “At Burroughs, we just need to play ever sport.” And they do play them well.

Oluokun, who can catches passes deep in enemy territory is going to be reunited with Grant Wallace (running back) and Nathan Adams (baseball) at Yale. Elliott will cart his ample football and track talents to the Ohio State University.

More game photos on the Ladue-Frontenac Facebook page.

But back to jam-packed McDonnell gym at MICDS.

The host Rams jumped out to a start-of-the game 10-0 lead before seasoned coach Steve Wilcutt had seen just enough, and called time out. By the time the quarter ended, the white-clad Rams had a comfortable 12-5 lead. But then Oluokun went on one of his patterned streaks, dropping 3-point bombs from the rafters and the Bomber crowd went into a frenzy, with their predictable chant of “Foye-Oyea” 

The halftime lead was narrow

Halftime, and the Bombers were clinging to a 18-15 lead.

The fourth quarter was the tale of the tape. At 2:02, William Morehead (going to college to play lacrosse) splashed a three pointer for a momentary 38-37 lead. The hometown crowd came unglued.

But then, Jimmy DesPain missed a free throw; Oluokun connected on a 3 pointer; Elliott cut off a streaking Robin Thompson, and the game ended. Senior guard Trey Pettus had 13 points in a painful loss.

“This rivalry is beautiful. Everybody talks about that,” said Wilcutt. “They (the Rams) did a great job defending us. We couldn’t get a thing in transition. We mucked the game up a little bit. They got off to a great start and we battled back. And it comes down to one play at the end.

“Every time we play them, its a rivalry, packed houses, it seems like a playoff game,” said the Burroughs coach.

MICDS coach much in agreement

Matt Hixenbaugh, MICDS coach saw it the same way. “Both teams competed hard. It came down to the last play and all you want to do is have a chance,” he said.

“I was really proud of our guys. I don’t think we played our best basketball, but we played our hearts out,” said Hixenbaugh. MICDS which had turned losing into winning has a 6-8 record now. The Bombers keep on streaking at 13-0.

Look for the encore match at Washington University’s field house Friday, February 15.