Basketball Upsets Top-Ranked Perry 65-52

1/21/2024

The Brophy basketball team upset top-ranked Perry on Saturday night 65-52 behind the 24 points by senior Braeden Speed and 22 by Ryan Burbach. It was the third consecutive win for the team, improving to 12-9 overall and 3-1 in region play.

“I thought we did a great job defending as a group,” said Head Coach Matt Hooten. “The guys were active. We tried to do our best in rebounding and limiting their second-chance opportunities. I am proud of the effort they put into preparing and the way they executed.”

Burbach had a big start to the game, hitting three triples in the first quarter to help the team to a 15-7 lead. He hit two more in the second and Speed had seven to finish with nine for the half as the Broncos led 32-19.

Nick Sanford contributed two three-pointers in the third and Luke Rehl added one. Speed scored seven points in the quarter as the Broncos held on to a 48-39 lead.

Perry cut the deficit in the fourth but Speed had 15 of his game-high 24 points and went 7-for-9 at the line.

Perry was led by Koa Peat with 19 points before he fouled out in the fourth. Speed and Burbach combined for 46 points for the Broncos.

“They have played big for us throughout the season and they did so again tonight,” said Hooten. “When they get rolling, the confidence builds in the rest of our players. We also had some other guys hit huge shots for us down the stretch. When they chipped away at the lead, it allowed us to push it back out.”

Sanford finished with six points, while Luke Wieskamp and Daylen Sharper had four each. The team went 16-for-20 at the line in the game.

“We have played the toughest schedule in the state and some have gone our way and some have not,” said Hooten. “For us to get a win against the No. 1 team in the state is a great validation of the effort we have put in and gives us a great stepping stone as we get closer to the end of the regular season.”

Brophy plays their final regular season home game on Friday against Basha for the annual Hoopcoming game. Games start at 4 p.m. with the freshman, the junior varsity game is at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.