SPARTA — For the first four minutes of Saturday’s boys basketball season opener between the Fredericktown Freddies and the Highland Scots, it looked like both teams were evenly matched. Highland, however, was just warming up.
The host Scots closed the quarter on an 8-0 run and rolled to a 64-29 win over the Freddies.
“I was anxious to see what we were going to do in a game situation, and I am real pleased with how we handled things,” said Highland coach Mike Hoyng. “The real key was our bench. I think the kids came off the bench and made a lot of positive contributions, which really helped us through the second and third quarters.”
“We couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm,” said Fredericktown coach Kirk Manns. “This is a team that is learning how to play. It is going to take some time. I’m confident that we will continue to work and we’ll be better Tuesday than we were tonight. It is just a matter of getting some minutes in and understanding how to play at this level.”
Highland struck first, scoring two free throws from Zach Hilborn. Following a C.J. Ruhl jumper, which got Fredericktown on the scoreboard, Hilborn hit an open 3-pointer. On the Freddies’ next possession, though, Andrew Newell hit one of his own. A minute later, Tyler Hathaway scored off a jumper to give Fredericktown its first — and last — lead of the game. A steal by Justin Howard turned into three points on the offensive end. Howard was fouled on the play, which finished with a layup, and hit the free throw. That started the Highland run, which ended with a 3-pointer by Elijah Duncan as the quarter expired.
Down 13-7, the Freddies didn’t give up. Thomas Hinkle scored a pair of layups to start the second quarter and pull his team within two, but as it turned out, those were the last points of the quarter for Fredericktown.
“Elijah (Duncan) comes in and hits the big 3 for us, which the kids got real excited about,” Hoyng said. “I think our kids get real enthusiastic when their teammate does something they are supposed to do. I think that helped us get going. We also started to pick it up defensively. I think, defensively, we did a great job tonight. We really limited them to the amount of looks they got, and that provided us some offensive opportunities.”
Fouls, which were piling up for the Freddies, played a major role in the quarter and the rest of the game. Highland went 6-of-8 from the free-throw line in the quarter and added three buckets to go ahead, 27-11, at halftime. Highland went 25-of-28 at the charity stripe for the game.
“We did a great job from the free-throw line,” said Hoyng. “That was a big thing. … We’ve talked all year about the fact that we are going to win or lose games from there. In a game like this, that was our offensive possessions. You’ve got to make those shots.”
With a solid lead, the Scots didn’t let up in the third quarter. Ruhl scored a jumper to start the quarter for the Freddies, but a jumper by Hilborn started a 16-2 run. A steal by Hilborn turned into a bucket by Howard, and then the gates opened. Steven Stooksbury, Hilborn, Zach Bryant and Duncan each hit a 3-pointer, including Bryant’s and Duncan’s in the final minute, to make it a 43-15 ball game after three.
Fouls reared their ugly head again in the fourth quarter, and this time, both teams were the beneficiary. Highland scored 12 points from the line in the final period while Fredericktown dropped in 10. The Scots outscored the Freddies from the field, 9-4, in the quarter as well and coasted to a 64-29 victory.
“Highland is strong, physical and experienced. They understand how to play at this level and right now, we don’t understand how to play at this level,” said Manns. “That makes a difference.
“We need to be more patient on the offensive end. We need to trust one another more. On the defensive end, we fouled too much. We fouled because we were out of position. Those are all things we can improve, and we will improve. You have to give Highland a lot of credit. They did a good job.”
Eleven players scored for Highland with Hilborn leading the way with 12 points. He also had three steals and two assists. Bryant added 11 points; Howard and Duncan each had nine points; and Stooksbury had five points and five rebounds.
“This is what we’ve emphasized all preseason — we are 12 deep on the bench. We’ve can bring in a lot of people, and we are not really going to drop off a lot,” said Hoyng. “As long as the kids believe in that, they know each game they are going to get opportunities. When they get them, they have to do the best job they can.”
Hinkle led Fredericktown with 10 points, and Ruhl had six points, six rebounds and four assists.
In reserve action, Highland knocked off Fredericktown, 39-20. Jake Ulrey scored 10 points to lead the Scots, and Nick Godfrey had eight points. Matt Stooksbury and Ethan Zuber each added six points. Jordan Riddel dropped in five points to lead Fredericktown. Nathan Cubbage, Justin Snyder and Max Miller scored three points apiece.
Fredericktown and Highland return to action on Tuesday. Fredericktown hosts Centerburg, and Elgin comes to Highland. Both junior varsity games begin at 6 p.m.
