Fairbanks’ Andy Higinbotham (5) attempts to disrupt Northeastern’s Will Sudoff (30) as he leaps high for a shot over the FHS senior forward. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
The Fairbanks boys hoopsters improved to 1-1 in the Ohio Heritage Conference Friday night after shooting down the Northeastern Jets, 45-39.
It was a bitter battle from the start with both squads not scoring in the opening minutes of the game.
“Right now, we are at a point where we are fighting and clawing for any win we can get,” FHS coach Zach Brown said. “We’ve got a lot of guys new to varsity basketball and new to the system, both offensively and defensively.”
Midway through the first quarter, the Panthers finally started to show some production on offense.
It was not the same for the Jets, however, who opted for a timeout with just under four minutes remaining.
At that point, the Panthers led 8-0.
Just a minute later, the Jets finally scored their first basket.
It was a night of wild passes by both teams, prompting several exchanges of the ball.
“We’re best when we are playing fast,” Brown said. “We’re OK playing in a little bit of chaos, but we do have to clean up some of the bad mistakes.”
In one instance, Fairbanks’ Tanner Ufferman stripped the ball away from an opposing Jet and followed with a fast break score.
Northeastern tried to equal that on the following play, but committed a turnover instead with just a second left in the quarter.
After the first quarter of play, Fairbanks stood tall with a 13-4 lead.
The Panthers stayed ahead by scoring 15 points compared to Norhteastern’s 13.
The Jets started to gain momentum, but the lead stayed with the Panthers at 28-17 by halftime.
“Just finish the game,” Brown told his team at the break. “Get rebounds, get stops, make our foul shots and make our layups.”
Coming out of the break, Northeastern continued to fight through adversity.
The Jets matched FHS in scoring.
Both teams tallied 11 points in the third quarter.
The Jets went into overdrive, pulling to within nine oints.
With just two and a half minutes left in the third period, Fairbanks’ Dylan Tobe struck an open three-point shot, sparking home fans and players alike.
In the fourth quarter, the Panthers struggled at the charity stripe, only making seven free throws off 23 attempts after it was all said and done.
“We did not make our foul shots,” Brown said. “[Northeastern] got a little belief.”
The Jets, now with a six-point deficit, turned the ball over.
Ufferman, though, took the air out of a highly-competitive Jet offense after being fouled after a basket.
Even though he missed the ensuing free-throw, Fairbanks remained steadfast on the defensive side of the ball.
“Our guys kept their composure,” Brown said. “They were always in eye contact with me… this was a good learning opportunity for us.”
Northeastern fought back, but faltered in the end.
Ufferman led the Panthers in terms of scoring, making eight baskets and going 1-6 at the foul-line.
He was supported by Cade Ziegler and Tobe who combined for 17 points,
Fairbanks will host the Triad Cardinals on Friday.
FAIRBANKS
Rausch 0-0-0, Higinbotham 3-0-6, Ziegler 3-2-8, Tobe 2-2-9, Landon 0-2-2, Crowe 1-0-3, Ufferman 8-1-17. Three-point goals: Tobe, Crowe.
NORTHEASTERN
Tolle 3-2-9, Guerara 5-1-12, Allen 2-1-5, Patterson 0-0-0, Chadwell 0-0-0, Tuttle 2-2-6, Bobst 0-0-0, Laughbaum 2-3-7. Three-point goals: Tolle, Guerara.