Eisenhower sophomore Austin Hanson exploded for a career high 42 points in the Knights season opening win over Bradford 63-54.

The Knights defeated the Owls in the opening game of the 2024 Randy Stebbins Memorial Basketball tournament at Otto-Eldred High School.

The Knights jumped out to a 18-13 first quarter lead behind Hanson’s 13 points including 3 three pointers.

The Owls found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter and outscored the knights 17-14 to knot the score at halftime 32-32.

Bradford played great defense in the third quarter as they held Hanson to just eight points and the Knights to 13 as they clung to a one point lead 46-45 heading into the final quarter.

Hanson took over in the fourth quarter scoring 15 points including 8-9 from the free throw line. Derek Guiher drained a three pointer, while the Eisenohwer defense behind Casey Seymour, Jaydon Chase and Gavin Lindemuth held Bradford to just 8 points and allowed the Knights the opening round win 63-54.

Knight’s head coach Ryan Mangini was happy to start the season with a win, “the boys hung in there and played a great fourth quarter. Austin was excellent tonight, all of the hard work he does in the off season really showed tonight. Casey Seymour had a nice game driving to the hoop which really showed his athleticism.”

The Knights will play in the championship game tonight at 5 at Otto Eldred high school against the hosts.

The Knights started their season with a win and Mangini, while happy with the win, knows there is room for improvement.

“We showed some toughness last night,” Mangini added. “But there is a long way to go in the season.”