Addison Trail repeats victory against Fenton

It wasn't quite déjà vu, but Addison Trail's boys basketball team clawed its way to another double-digit win over Fenton.

Less than two weeks after beating the Bison at the Glenbard West Holiday Classic, Addison Trail's fourth-quarter run finally put the outcome to rest in Tuesday's 66-54 nonconference victory at home.

Leading by 8 points heading to the fourth quarter, the Blazers (7-9) blitzed Fenton (2-13) with a 10-0 run in the opening 1:30 of the final period. Tyler Little's basket pushed Addison Trail to its biggest lead of 20 points before the Bison closed the game on a 12-4 run.

While neither side felt too many similarities to the first meeting, the rematch did have a bit of a familiar ring to it.

"It's weird, and not only because we just played them but also because we know most of the kids on the other team," said Blazers guard Vince Beltrano, who scored 24 points. "But it's fun, and coach (Brendan Lyons) always has us well-prepared. So when we double up on a team, it's like we're even more prepared."

Addison Trail hit Fenton with three big runs, but only the final one stuck. The Blazers built a 9-2 lead to start the game and then extended a 4-point halftime advantage to 15 points late in the third quarter on Varinder Kalsi's 3-pointer.

Fenton, however, rallied both times. Colin Wallace's game-high 25 points played a big part, including his buzzer-beating shot from beyond midcourt that narrowed the gap to 46-38 heading to the fourth quarter.

Despite that momentum the Bison didn't have enough firepower to match Addison Trail's 66-point barrage.

"When you score in the 70s and 80s you can afford to have the other team go on runs, but they went on runs that just killed us," said Fenton coach Dennis Cromer. "We kind of recovered from the run in the third quarter, but we didn't have enough time nor the ability to cut that lead after their second run in the fourth quarter."

James Pupillo scored 9 of his 15 points in the third quarter for Addison Trail. Jeremy Shimanek tallied 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Fenton.

"I think our guys were well aware that Fenton could come out and play us tough," Lyons said. "From an offensive standpoint I never worry about us putting points on the board. When we shoot it well like we did in the second half, we can put points on the board."