The Fredericktown boys’ basketball team (2-3, 1-1) had four players in double figures, led by a double-double performance by Trevor Bellman to beat the East Knox Bulldogs (0-6, 0-2) by a score of 62-39 in a KMAC matchup on Dec. 19.
“Freddies came out ready to go and played a complete game for 32 minutes,” said Coach Derek Dibling. “It wasn't perfect but our effort and mental toughness was much improved. Guys did a good job of making the extra pass and doing the little things that winning teams do.”
The Freddies jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first quarter, highlighted by a a steal by Carson Rinehart, who dished it off to Blake Sipes for a fast break layup. They went up 14-6 in the quarter, and while East Knox was making an attempt to drive to the hoop, Rinehart continued his strong defensive play with a rejection at the hoop. It was a 14-9 lead for the Freddies after one.
In the second quarter it was a 30-14 lead for the Freddies, and Rinehart once again swatted away a shot on a driving Bulldog. Moments later he stole a pass and took it coast to coast for a fast break score. Fredericktown outscored the Bulldogs 18-5 to take a commanding 32-14 lead at the half.
Gavin Toombs launched a three to make it a 35-14 game in the third quarter, and after an East Knox basket, Bellman hit a three of his own to go up 38-16. Rinehart drilled a three to go up 46-20 in the third quarter, and then stole a pass on the next East Knox possession and took it for a layup making it 48-20. Rinehart used some fancy footwork and a behind the back dribble to get to the hoop for the score with two defenders on him. The Freddies led 54-22 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Grant Hartley nailed a three to make it a 59-29 game. East Knox went on a 6-0 run, but Bradyn Clevenger put a stop to that with a three to go up 62-35. East Knox scored the next four points but the Freddies held on for the big win.
Bellman had 14 points, 10 boards, three assists and a steal to lead the Freddies to the conference victory. Toombs put up 12 points, four boards, an assist and a steal. Rinehart and Sipes each had 10 points. Sipes was efficient going 5-for-6 and also had six boards, two assists and a steal. Rinehart was big on defense with four steals and two blocks, while also pulling down three rebounds and recording an assist.
Hartley and Clevenger each had seven points. Clevenger had seven boards and Hartley had five boards, three assists and a steal. Will Streby had two points and a rebound, and Brode Davis was a defensive presence with three steals and five defensive rebounds (six total). Davis also had an assist.
East Knox was led by Corbin Poff, who had 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting. He had five defensive rebounds, an assist and a steal. Colton Armstrong scored six points and also snagged two boards. Caleb Armstrong also had six points to go with a rebound and an assist. Hayden Merritt had three steals and a block on defense, while making a pair of foul shots and ripping down four rebounds.
Kyson Miller had three points, three rebounds and two steals. Bryer Korosec scored five points and also had a steal and a rebound. Carver Stephens scored two points and had a rebound and a steal. Logan Whitney also had two points and an assist. Jesse Dudgeon blocked a shot and snagged a rebound.
Fredericktown shot 41% and 29% from three, while holding East Knox to 28% and 5%. East Knox shot 80% from the free throw line and the Freddies were at 64%. Fredericktown had advantages in boards (44-23), assists (13-3) and steals (12-9). Each team had two blocks.
