Mount Vernon News

The Freddies took an early lead, jumping ahead 8-0 in the first quarter. The Trojans found themselves down by 10 points going into the second quarter and Fredericktown didn’t let up. The Freddies scored another 14 points in the second quarter to lead 30-15 at halftime. The Trojans were 3-of-7 from the floor going into the half and had committed seven turnovers and eight fouls.

“I just think, Fredericktown, they just jumped on us and they did everything they needed to do to get to it,” said Centerburg head coach Jim Simpson. “They beat us down the floor, they probably pounded us on the boards. They did everything they needed to take the lead at half.

“The first half we didn’t show up. “I think they’re the best team in the league, I really do. I think they’re physically stronger than most people we’re going to play. They do a lot of things real well. They’ve got some experienced players back.”

In the third quarter, it was Centerburg who started off the scoring run. Freshman Brandt Lambert started his team off on a different note for the second half with a two-point basket. Skyler Simpson followed with another field goal cutting the score to 30-19.

“At halftime, we just regrouped and pulled together and say we aren’t giving up and the kids just didn’t give up,” said Simpson.

Fredericktown only scored on free throws in the third quarter. The Freddies went to the line six times, making only three. The Trojans cut the gap to just eight points as they entered the fourth quarter, 33-25.

But the Trojans’ foul trouble caught up with them. With the Freddies’ multiple trips to the line, Centerburg couldn’t catch up.

“It’s going to affect any team,” Simpson said. “Because you’re getting two people in foul trouble, you have to keep subbing people in and out, but I feel that those couple of people coming off the bench, they’re going to do the job we need done when we got foul trouble.”

The Trojans showed a lot of effort in the second half of the game, holding the Freddies to just 15 points in two quarters.

“I think if we would have put the two halves together, we could have made more of a game out of it,” added Simpson. “I’m not saying the outcome wouldn’t be different, I don’t know that. But the second half, we came out and played a lot better.”

Fredericktown’s defense allowed 16 points in the second half. The Freddies scored 11 points just off free throws and Centerburg only went to the line five times in the second half.

“Fortunately, we were able to build a good enough lead and had a good enough cushion that we were able to maybe not execute as well and still be able to hang on and make some plays down the stretch and make some free throws,” said Manns.

Three players for Fredericktown finished with 10 points each — Shawn Johnson, Ryan Hathaway and Taylor Hitzfield. Johnson left the game early in the third quarter due to an injury.

For Centerburg, Lambert chipped in with nine points and Simpson produced seven. Paul Crego finished with five points and seven rebounds.

“You got to give Centerburg a lot of credit,” Manns mentioned. “I thought they came out the second half and made some adjustments. I thought they played a lot harder and rebounded the ball better and they challenged our kids in a lot of different ways that they weren’t able to do in the first half.”

Fredericktown returns to action on Friday, traveling to Mansfield Christian. Centerburg is back on the court on Friday, hosting Mount Gilead Christian. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

Advertisement

 

 

Sponsored Links

 

SEAVOLT'S STUDIOS

Family Owned Since 1972

(740) 397-0541

http://www.seavoltsstudio.com/

 

SAM MILLER

(740) 397-7800

1-800-282-9096

RE/MAX Stars Realty

http://www.sammiller.com/