SportsFebruary 16, 2024
Essner gets senior send-off as Notre Dame finally wins at home
Upon the celebration of a 70-40 win over Scott City on Thursday, Feb. 15, Notre Dame senior Carson Essner was given a hero’s sendoff by the student supporters. Although he only scored two points through the entire game, Notre Dame’s lone senior was lifted up by his classmates after the final buzzer and carried toward the student section in triumph...
Upon the celebration of a 70-40 win over Scott City on Thursday, Feb. 15, Notre Dame senior Carson Essner was given a hero’s sendoff by the student supporters.
Although he only scored two points through the entire game, Notre Dame’s lone senior was lifted up by his classmates after the final buzzer and carried toward the student section in triumph.
“I was just really proud of how my team and how the students section, everybody here really came together as a whole, not just the players,” Essner said. “Honestly, that really helped us, and it was just a great feeling. I don't know I've ever felt anything like that in my life.”
Essner said he found it stressful when he first realized that he would be Notre Dame’s only senior this year. Being a leader was a challenge for Essner but one that led to personal growth.
“I've never been much of a leader kind of guy,” Essner said. “I've always been kind of a guy who can do the little things and all that stuff. So it's kind of tough stepping up to lead and I struggled a little bit at the beginning of the year. But I kind of found my spot on here and all the guys really came together. No one cared who got credit for anything like points, rebounds, whatever, and I think that makes me a lot more comfortable.”
Having one senior can seem challenging for a first-year head coach but Jeremy Brinkmeyer said he is fortunate to have Essner be vital to the shaping of the culture in Notre Dame.
“Carson was a tremendous leader and we wouldn't be where we're at today without Carson,” Brinkmeyer said. “He's always had a good attitude, great work ethic, he plays hard, he doesn't complain, and he always does what's best for the team. You don't see that a lot in today's world. I'm blessed to have in my first time here to have a great senior to lead the way of what culture is supposed to be.”
The Bulldogs took an early 13-7 lead in the first quarter but truly began to assert their dominance in the second quarter as they went to halftime leading 32-18.
Kolton Johnson scored 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter leading to the Bulldogs outscoring the Rams 29-10 to make it a 61-28 game entering the fourth quarter.
“He's always been a shooter,” Brinkmeyer said. “I was really proud of his defense. (Thursday) was the best defensive game that he's had all year.”
Johnson made five shots from the three-point line and Logan Landewee also scored 12 of his 18 points from the arc. Johnson has long been one of the best three-point shooters in the Southeast Missouri area and even claimed the school career record for three-point baskets.
Brinkmeyer said they long tried to add extra dimensions to Johnson's game, especially on defense, and progress is starting to show just in time for the postseason.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
"We've been on him to try to be more than just a shooter, and he's buying into that," Brinkmeyer said. "He's taking pride in trying to become a better defender, and he's doing that, and it showed (Thursday). Hopefully, we continue to do that in districts against a really tough team in Valle Catholic."
Notre Dame made a total of 12 three-pointers, nine between Johnson and Landewee, two from Trenton Schumacker, and one from Zach Eftink late in the fourth quarter that caused the student section to erupt with excitement.
It may be hard to believe but their win over Scott City (21-5) was the Bulldogs' first win at home all season. It came at an ideal time because the highly competitive Class 3 District 2 Tournament will be held at Notre Dame next week. The players saw and felt how a full crowd can impact a game in their favor, and they're looking forward to future packed gyms.
"A hundred percent, that's gonna be huge for us going into districts," Essner said. "I'm really thankful that we got to host districts this year just for that reason alone."
Notre Dame is a much different team away from their home court. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 11-15 but were 4-4 on the road and 6-5 on neutral sites.
The Bulldogs enter the tournament with confidence backed up by past wins against Saxony Lutheran, Scott City, Charleston, and Woodland twice. Essner said the team has grown immensely along the way to be properly prepared for the postseason.
"I guarantee you if we played (Scott City) earlier in the year, we probably would have been a lot closer, that's for sure," Essner said. "We've definitely grown a lot. We've played a lot of tough opponents and we've beaten some tough opponents. I think that's what makes us great because people iron sharpens iron."
A win against Valle Catholic on Tuesday, Feb. 20, will have Notre Dame taking on the winner between Kelly and Saxony Lutheran on Thursday, Feb. 22. Scott City will open the tournament against Woodland on Tuesday, Feb. 20, with the winner facing top-seeded Charleston on Thursday, Feb. 22. The final round will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24.
__NOTRE DAME 70, SCOTT CITY 40__
Scott City 7 11 10 12 — 40
Notre Dame 13 19 29 9 — 70
Notre Dame (70) — Kolton Johnson 21, Logan Landewee 18, Trenton Schumacker 8, Brett Dohogne 6, Hunter Bonham 6, Hudson Dennis 6, Zach Eftink 3, Carson Essner 2
Scott City (40) — Mark Panagos 8, Kobe Watson 7, AJ Hayden 7, Nathan Ham 6, Kaden Lowery 6, Kalen Conner 4, Jackson Gloth 2
Story Tags
Advertisement
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
SportsDec. 11
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
