Fenton outlasts Addison Trail
When you hold a boys basketball team to fewer than 40 points, it's reasonable to expect victory.
So what happens when both teams score in the 30s?
Fenton found out the grueling way, trudging through a 38-30 nonconference victory Tuesday at Addison Trail.
Neither team lit up the scoreboard, but the defenses played terrific at times. Fenton's switch to zone proved especially effective against the Blazers (6-17), who shot a staggering 19 percent from the field.
Addison Trail led 16-11 with 4 minutes, 58 seconds left in the second quarter before spending the next 8:03 without a point. During an 11-minute span the Blazers scored only 2 points.
Fenton (9-14), meanwhile, used a 16-2 run to seize control at 27-18 late in the third quarter. Dan Montano scored 8 straight points for the Bison en route to a game-high 14 points to go along with 9 rebounds.
"We finally stepped it up on the defensive end," Montano said. "It's nice, but hopefully we have a couple of good practices because other games aren't going to be like this. We're going to have to shoot better at the line and score more points."
After surrendering 93 and 78 points in its previous two games, and with high-powered Riverside-Brookfield looming Friday, the defensive effort was a welcomed sight for Fenton. Now if only the Bison could improve on the offensive end.
Their main woes came at the free-throw line, where the Bison made only 9 of 23 attempts. That's all that kept Fenton from breaking away from the Blazers in the third quarter.
Instead, the poor free-throw shooting allowed Addison Trail to rally in the fourth quarter. An 8-0 run - including 4 points from Jaleo Gibbs, and free throws from Peter Spear and Costa Diamond - brought the Blazers within 32-29 with two minutes left.
Addison Trail got the ball back with a chance to tie, but a 3-point attempt went off the mark. Fenton hit 6 of 10 free throws in the final 1:38 to pad its lead, holding the Blazers to just 1 point in the final two minutes.
"I told our guys we had to dictate the tempo, and Fenton was able to play to its style," said Addison Trail coach Brendan Lyons. "They went in that zone, and we couldn't do anything against it. It's just frustrating."
Spear led Addison Trail with 9 points while Gibbs had 7 points. Sebastian Baran and Emeka Umeadi scored 7 points apiece for Fenton.
"I like how we played our zone because I think it stymied them a little bit," said Fenton coach Dennis Cromer. "If we're not hitting free throws, and if we're struggling a bit on offense, then if you want to have a chance you have to play some defense."