Brandtner's 'intensity' to be needed by Cape against rival Jackson

Notre Dame junior Cole Bruenderman and Cape Central senior Jonathan Brandtner battle for a rebound recently at Notre Dame.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

There may be something about competing against a rival on the basketball court that fuels something in Cape Central senior forward Jonathan Brandtner.

The 6-foot-4 athlete destroyed Notre Dame 10 days ago and next on the Tigers’ schedule is Jackson, who will visit Cape Central Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“Jon had an intensity that I haven’t seen in a while,” veteran Cape Central coach Drew Church said following a historic (69-28) beatdown of the Bulldogs. “We need that Jon.”

Cape Central (10-3) hasn’t played since beating Notre Dame due to COVID-19 protocols within their locker room, and the Tigers should be motivated, not just by the rivalry with the Indians (9-7), but also because Jackson snapped a 12-game win streak in the series by beating Cape Central 44-36 on Dec. 29 in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

"Anytime you play that game, you may not play your best game just because your nerves, your energy, your intensity, and all of that stuff adds in," veteran Jackson coach Darrin Scott told Semoball.com following the tourney win.

Brandtner put up 11 of his game-high 22 points against Notre Dame in the opening quarter, and Cape Central will need that production and energy from him against the much bigger Indian frontcourt.

“Jon was relentless,” Church said of Brandtner’s play against Notre Dame. “He was diving on the floor. He was making shots. He just had an edge about him that we have seen before from Jon, and we need to keep seeing that.

“It really helps us and gets our guys going.”

Notre Dame senior Drew Vandeven drives against Cape Central senior Jonathan Brandtner on Tuesday at Notre Dame. (Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com)

Brandtner has the ability to shoot from the perimeter (he hit three 3-pointers against Notre Dame), but he also has the size and strength to score and rebound in the paint, which will be tested against Jackson center Clayton Ernst (6-foot-8) and forward Nick Wasilewski (6-foot-6).

The Brandtner on Wasilewski match-up from a defensive perspective will be intriguing to watch.

“He usually guards one of their best offensive players,” Church said of Brandtner. “He understands angles and keeping guys in front of him.”

Defense is what the Tigers – and Brandtner - have hung their hats on this season.

Cape Central is limiting opponents to a meager 41.2 points per game this season, which if that statistic holds up, would be the stingiest Tiger team in the past 13 seasons (at least).

“We need Jon with that intensity,” Church said.

Prior to the Indians’ December victory over Cape Central, Jackson had not won a game in the series since Feb. 10, 2015.

The Indians haven’t won at Cape Central since Feb. 11, 2014.