Arborbrook 48 – Fletcher 41
The Falcon high school team (1-4) won their first game of the season on a thrilling come from behind effort. We went into the game with the intention of playing only 7 players and 3 of those players were nursing injuries. Trey Barnes had missed the last 2 games with a sprained ankle while Mitch Moore and Nathan Spittler both had sore backs. Fletcher had only 8 high school players but three of them were much taller and stronger but also appeared to be slower in warm ups. Coach decided on a full court man to man defense because it wears down the other team and gives us our best chance to win.
Fletcher started the game by drilling a 3 point shot from the cornor but Trey Barnes answered with a three pointer on our first possession. The intensity level was high for both teams and you could tell immediately that our defense was going to cause problems for the Fletcher offense. Our offense had trouble holding onto the ball and shuffling their feet as we fell behind by 5 points. A basket by Josh Black cut the deficit to only 3 and we went to the second quarter trailing 9-6. The Falcon defense was getting into the heads of the Fletcher team as they turned the ball over almost every time down the floor. However, we could not take advantage of the turnovers because as quickly as we got the ball we gave it back. We held Fletcher to only 6 points in the quarter and actually took a 17-15 lead into the locker room when Trey hit a 3 point shot just before the buzzer.
The players were pumped at half time because of Trey’s basket and eager to start the second half. The coaches noticed Fletcher was starting to tire. The second half started with 3 quick team fouls on the Falcons which was a sign of things to come. Fletcher had picked up their intensity level and suddenly beat us down the floor for the first couple of minutes of the second half. They took control of the game building a 27-20 lead while our team fouls continued to mount. We suddenly had players in foul trouble but never lost our focus and never started to panic. The players on the floor knew they could come back and could feel the effect our defense was having on Fletcher. Nathan Spitler and Josh Black made a couple of key baskets and the Falcons were back in the game trailing only 29-27 moving into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter proved to be the Falcons best quarter of the year. We quickly tied the game but fell behind by a point. We took a one point lead and fell behind again. There would be 5 lead changes in the next several minutes. Fletcher could not get the ball down the floor but was in the double bonus situation. Fletcher was okay but not good from the free throw line and had shot several air balls during the 3rd quarter. Free throws kept them in the game as we made our run. At one time coach turned to me and said they had to miss a free throw sometime. They didn’t. They went 8 for 8 in the 4th quarter. Josh Black and Trey Barnes knocked down a couple of baskets each. Mitch Moore made a great move through the Fletcher defense for an easy score. Nathan Spitler put back a rebound before fouling out. Josh and Daniel Zangmeister made 7 straight free throws with the game on the line. Caleb Farmer drew a charging foul on the sideline. Everything came together and it was fun to watch. Coach called time out with 2:30 left in the game and told the players it was their game to win. Play defense and we couldn’t lose. I told the coach we had three players on the floor with 4 fouls and the other two with 3 fouls. One player had already fouled out. I instructed the middle school players on the bench to be ready. The fans were loud as the gym rocked. Fletcher was a tired team at the end of the game and the defense was awesome as we pulled away. The fourth quarter is how this team can play when they are in sync. They are young and inexperienced and must rely on their defense to keep them in the game. This is the second time they have worn down an opposing team in the last 3 games. They will only get better as they grow and learn the game.
For the Record: Nathan Spitler scored 4 points, pulled down 8 rebounds and had 2 steals. Nathan did not have the leading stats on the team but there is no doubt that Nathan sparked this team to its first victory. Nathan came to play and his hustle and attitude was caught by all the players. Nathan skyed for rebounds like he does in practice. Nathan was a force on the floor. Josh Black always plays well and scored a game high 17 points. Josh also had 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Josh was 7 of 11 from the free throw line but made 4 in a row at the end of the game. It was good to have Trey Barnes back in the line up. Trey scored 16 points while hitting 4 three pointers. Trey also pulled down 4 rebounds, with 1 steal and 1 assist. Caleb Farmer always controls the offense but played his best defenseive game ever. Caleb scored 6 points with 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 assists. Daniel Zangmeister scored 3 points making 3 straight free throws at the end of the game. Daniel also had 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Mitch Moore doesn’t shoot enough but made that nifty move through the Fletcher defense for a timely basket. As soon as we can convince Mitch to think like Josh and drive to the basket, we will have taken a major step into becoming a good offensive team. Mitch also pulled down 4 rebounds with 3 steals and 1 assist. Forest Landa did not score but always plays great defense. Forest had 2 rebounds and 3 steals.
