Freedom takes down Trinity
By Jaclyn Shambaugh FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Staff writer
Freedom Christian coach Dan Pruessner said his staff kept a tight lock on his team’s play up until about two weeks ago, when the coaches handed the players more responsibility on the court.
“We held the reins in on them before that,” Pruessner said. “And now we’ve let them go a little, let them be basketball players and make good decisions on the floor. We’ve seen a complete switch in direction.”
Friday’s 65-57 win over visiting Trinity Christian was the latest in a run of games where the players took more control.
The Patriots (16-8) built a double digit lead in the second quarter on dominant inside performances by forwards Milos Supica and Thank God Avar.
Avar and Supica scored eight and six points, respectively in the second frame, helping Freedom to a 33-22 lead at halftime.
Supica said the team focused on defense, working in man-to-man, and made an effort to track down every loose ball.
“Fifty-fifty balls, we tried to get after all of them,” Supica said.
Avar scored a game-high 20 points, and Supica finished with 16.
“We have, I think, the best front court in the state with Milos Supica and T.G. Avar,” Pruessner said. “When we do well on the perimeter, value possessions, we’re going win on the rebounds and win in the paint.”
The Patriots kept the Crusaders (13-13) from gaining traction inside the paint, a problem that coach Heath Vandevender said was an issue of toughness.
“We like to stand around and shoot 3s and look pretty, and that gets us beat,” Vandevender said. “In the second half, especially the fourth quarter, we moved the ball more with a sense of purpose.”
Trinity narrowed the gap with a late surge. The Crusaders outscored the Patriots 26-18 in the final quarter, boosted by Greg Gantt, who scored all of his eight points in the fourth.
Guard Mike Boykin led the Crusaders with 15 points, including five in the last frame.
Ethan Herring finished with 10.
“We play hard in stretches and compete in stretches, but we haven’t figured out how to do it for 32 minutes yet,” Vandevender said.
Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at 609-0651 or shambaughj@fayobserver.com.
Freedom Christian 65, Trinity Christian 57
Trinity Christian 9 13 9 26—57
Freedom Christian 13 20 14 18—65
TRINITY CHRISTIAN— Foy 6, Marshall 7, Mike Boykin 15, Gantt 8, Campbell 8, Baker 1, Ethan Herring 10, Martin 2
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN — Smith 9, Nash 2, Milos Supica 16, Harvey 5, Jenkins 6, Williams 6, Thank God Avar 20
• Fouled out: FCA — Avar
• 3-point goals: TCS — Foy , Marshall 2, Boykin 2, Gantt; FCA — Smith 2, Harvey, Jenkins, Williams
• Records: Trinity Christian 13-13, Freedom Christian 16-8
By Jaclyn Shambaugh FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Staff writer
Freedom Christian coach Dan Pruessner said his staff kept a tight lock on his team’s play up until about two weeks ago, when the coaches handed the players more responsibility on the court.
“We held the reins in on them before that,” Pruessner said. “And now we’ve let them go a little, let them be basketball players and make good decisions on the floor. We’ve seen a complete switch in direction.”
Friday’s 65-57 win over visiting Trinity Christian was the latest in a run of games where the players took more control.
The Patriots (16-8) built a double digit lead in the second quarter on dominant inside performances by forwards Milos Supica and Thank God Avar.
Avar and Supica scored eight and six points, respectively in the second frame, helping Freedom to a 33-22 lead at halftime.
Supica said the team focused on defense, working in man-to-man, and made an effort to track down every loose ball.
“Fifty-fifty balls, we tried to get after all of them,” Supica said.
Avar scored a game-high 20 points, and Supica finished with 16.
“We have, I think, the best front court in the state with Milos Supica and T.G. Avar,” Pruessner said. “When we do well on the perimeter, value possessions, we’re going win on the rebounds and win in the paint.”
The Patriots kept the Crusaders (13-13) from gaining traction inside the paint, a problem that coach Heath Vandevender said was an issue of toughness.
“We like to stand around and shoot 3s and look pretty, and that gets us beat,” Vandevender said. “In the second half, especially the fourth quarter, we moved the ball more with a sense of purpose.”
Trinity narrowed the gap with a late surge. The Crusaders outscored the Patriots 26-18 in the final quarter, boosted by Greg Gantt, who scored all of his eight points in the fourth.
Guard Mike Boykin led the Crusaders with 15 points, including five in the last frame.
Ethan Herring finished with 10.
“We play hard in stretches and compete in stretches, but we haven’t figured out how to do it for 32 minutes yet,” Vandevender said.
Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at 609-0651 or shambaughj@fayobserver.com.
Freedom Christian 65, Trinity Christian 57
Trinity Christian 9 13 9 26—57
Freedom Christian 13 20 14 18—65
TRINITY CHRISTIAN— Foy 6, Marshall 7, Mike Boykin 15, Gantt 8, Campbell 8, Baker 1, Ethan Herring 10, Martin 2
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN — Smith 9, Nash 2, Milos Supica 16, Harvey 5, Jenkins 6, Williams 6, Thank God Avar 20
• Fouled out: FCA — Avar
• 3-point goals: TCS — Foy , Marshall 2, Boykin 2, Gantt; FCA — Smith 2, Harvey, Jenkins, Williams
• Records: Trinity Christian 13-13, Freedom Christian 16-8
