FREDERICKTOWN — Starting their season late was not a problem for the Fredericktown High School boys basketball team, as it mowed over its opponent in the season-opening game. Fredericktown hosted Mansfield Christian on Saturday night, winning 48-32.
Because the school’s football team advanced deep into the playoffs, the basketball team had to postpone its first couple of games.
“We were mostly concerned about us tonight, because we only had seven practices going into tonight,” said Fredericktown head coach Kirk Manns. “We were worried about our ability to fight through fatigue and fouls. We still have that football mentality where you push and do things like that, and we have to work that out.”
Fredericktown jumped to an early lead in the game against the Flames, as it led 6-0 after the first minute and a half of play. After four minutes, the hometown team was up 10-5. By the end of the first quarter, Mansfield Christian found itself losing 17-5.
The Freddies played with a high level of intensity in the first half, hoping to make this basketball season just as memorable as the football season was. They scored on over 50 percent of their first-half shots, and outrebounded the Flames, 9-4. Ryan Hathaway was all over Mansfield Christian defensively, coming away with five steals in the first half.
“We controlled the game from a defensive standpoint,” said Manns. “Their perimeter guys really had a hard time doing what they wanted to do. We were able to push their offense out. Our kids did a great job of focusing on what they needed to accomplish.”
The Flames realized the trouble they were in at halftime, as they were down 30-8 going into the locker room. After a 3-point second quarter, Mansfield Christian wanted to attack the basket a lot more in the second half. The Flames ended up outscoring Fredericktown in the third period, 16-12.
“When you hold a team to only eight points in the first half, you know that they were challenged at halftime,” said Manns. “You know that they are better than that, and they want to come out and prove something in the second half.”
Even with the Freddies sitting their starters during most of the final period, they were able to control the Flames. Fredericktown thought less about offense in the final period, and the team got in a little practice on defense. They held Mansfield Christian to only eight points in the final period, giving themselves a victory.
Fredericktown was led offensively by Hathaway, who scored 17 points in the game. Zollars added 13 points. Mansfield Christian was led by Tyler Sanders, who scored 12 points.
The Freddie junior varsity squad needed two overtimes to win its contest. After a regulation that finished tied at 19, and a first overtime finish tied at 21, Fredericktown finally put the game away. In the second overtime period, Tyler Hathaway drained a 3-pointer that gave his team the 24-21 victory. The Flames were led by Michael Rodriguez, who scored 11 points. Fredericktown’s Nick Stacey recorded eight points, while Ty Fox and Kasey Berry each scored four points.
The Freddies will travel to Pleasant High School on Tuesday evening for a nonconference game. The jayvee will start play at 6 p.m.
