Braylon Green of Fairbanks leaps for a shot during a game against Southeastern on Tuesday. Green tallied nine points during the Panthers’ 67-49 victory. FHS is now 11-2 on the season.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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The Fairbanks boys basketball team has a single-track focus and that’s to win. That mentality has taken the Panthers far this year, increasing their season record to 11-2 after a 67-49 win over Southeastern on Tuesday.
That victory, in large part, was due to what Fairbanks head coach Justin George calls “good balance.”
“We had good balance, which we need from our main few,” he said. “I think in the first half we probably played our best basketball of the year and that is where we need to be.
“We scored 21 in the opening (two) quarters that is always a good thing.”
The Panthers’ shooters took the game by storm in the opening period. They got solid shooting from Mason Smith and Tyler Beem, who each tallied seven.
Jacob Nicol added a trey to help the Panthers take a 21-9 lead by the end of the first period.
George said his team is shooting well from the field due to their high level of confidence.
The second quarter was more of the same for the rolling Panthers with the help of their bench.
Nick Murray entered the game and gave FHS’ starters a breather,
He tallied five points during Fairbanks’ drive to a 42-22 halftime lead.
“We got some good bench scoring, which we need,” George said. “That is going to be very important going forward. Hopefully, they can continue to help us down the stretch.”
Fairbanks’ bench continued to play a supporting role during the third quarter.
Murray and Wyatte Miller combined for nine points during that stretch.
The Trojans were able to make a dent in their deficit by scoring several baskets from beyond the arc.
However, FHS built a solid 60-41 lead by the end of the period.
In the final stanza, the Panthers rotated in some of their younger player for some playing time.
The young Panthers held the Trojans to eight points as FHS sealed its 11th victory.
Fairbanks is now looking to its next contest at West Jefferson on Friday.
George said a victory against the Rough Riders would be a big step forward.
“This is a big week for us,” he said. “We are going back to our side of the league (Ohio Heritage Conference) and we are trying to reach our goal of hosting a tournament game.
“This Friday is going to be a big step towards that goal.”
Fairbanks
Smith 5-1-12, Hackathorne 3-4-11, Murray 5-0-11, Nicol 4-1-10, Green 4-1-9, Beem 3-0-7, Miller 2-0-5, Standley 1-0-2. Totals 27-7-67.
Three-point goals: Smith, 1, Hackathorne 1, Murray 1, Nicol 1, Beem 1, Miller 1
Southeastern
Bertemes 6-4-16, Grin 3-4-10, Bair 2-1-7, Erikson 2-0-5, Banion 1-0-3, Flannery 1-0-2, Flores 1-0-2, Roark 1-0-2, Vollrath 1-0-2. Totals 18-9-49.
Three-point goals: Bair 2, Banion 1, Erikson 1
The junior varsity Panthers also walked away with a victory over Southeastern, 58-24.
Trey Good led FHS with 20 points.