A grand ol’ time

Bobby Brenner, senior at Wilmot Union High School, scored his 1,000th career point at Elkhorn last Friday. His team-leading 30 points helped snap the Panthers' five-game skid.
Bobby Brenner, senior at Wilmot Union High School, scored his 1,000th career point at Elkhorn last Friday. His team-leading 30 points helped snap the Panthers’ five-game skid.

Brenner eclipses 1,000 points to help Panthers snap skid

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Bobby Brenner had a grand performance for the Panthers as the squad snapped a five-game losing skid Friday at Elkhorn.

Brenner, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard, knocked in his 1,000th career point in the first half, and finished with a team-leading 30 points en route to a 88-78 Wilmot edge.

“It’s quite a remarkable feat, considering he did it in 39-1/2 games,” said Wilmot coach Jake Erbentraut “He had to work to get to that point where he wasn’t just a catch and shoot player.”

The coach said while he focused on the game, team assistant Dan Truttschel had an inkling the shooter was approaching the grand mark with around 10 minutes left in the first half.

“Coach Truttschel had mentioned it right before he scored, but I was just focused on the game at hand,” Erbentraut said. “Once he got it, though, I thought it was almost a relief and very happy that he accomplished such a rare thing.”

With Brenner’s 1,000th point, he has 1,0014 for his career, but the coach noted the senior stayed level-headed.

“There was a slight smile from him but nothing more. It’s not his style. His competitive nature is consistent like his scoring has been throughout his career and his focus was on the team at the time. That’s what makes him special,” Erbentraut said.

The Panthers, who took a 37-32 lead into halftime, made a string of runs and clamped down on defense to widen the lead, according to Erbentraut.

“We were able to get a run where we made some stops and turned them into good looks on offense,” he said. “But I thought it was our defense that started things.”

Aside from Brenner’s seventh 30-point game of the season, sophomore 5-11 guard Latrell Glass poured in 28 points, including four from the arc.

Glass’ 28 points is the most he has drained since his 27 point performance in season opener against Elkhorn.

“He got in rhythm with his shot and you could the confidence in his ability,” Erbentraut said. “I thought he didn’t force things and let his game come to him.”

The Panthers, however, had difficulty defending Elkhorn’s Alex Easterday, who finished with a game-high 37 points.

Erbentraut noted Easterday’s strong post presence, where he drew the most points, making 13 baskets.

“We had our time trying to defend him, but he is a tough player,” Erbentraut said. “He’s strong, can post, step on the perimeter and drive it to the hole.”

The Panthers received double-digit performances from 6-3 senior Christian Janssen, who knocked in 16, and 6-0 sophomore Jeremy Bruton with 12.

Wilmot’s win was its first since a 68-62 win at Union Grove Jan. 8, was a step in the right direction, according to Erbentraut.

“We went back to the basics and reaffirmed our game,” Erbentraut said. “We really tried to keep our heads up and stay positive and the team responded…Hopefully, that will be our focus for the last month into the playoffs.”

Wilmot improved to 6-9 (4-5 SLC) while Elkhorn dropped to 6-10 (2-7 SLC).


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