Waterford survives to win thriller at Fort Frye, 51-48 | News, Sports, Jobs

Waterford’s Avery Pottmeyer (30) appears to be like to cross as Fort Frye’s Caden Henniger defends throughout Saturday’s sport at Dan Liedtke Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

BEVERLY — Saturday night time capped off per week the Waterford boys basketball crew received’t quickly neglect.

After successful Wednesday’s sport at Federal Hocking on a half-court shot at the buzzer, the Wildcats discovered themselves in one other down-to-the-wire matchup, this time in opposition to rival Fort Frye. Once once more, Waterford got here out on prime.

The Wildcats survived a halftime deficit, a roller-coaster fourth quarter and even a pregame teaching change to edge out the Cadets by a rating of 51-48.

“It’s always great to beat Fort Frye,” mentioned Waterford junior Finn Pennock. “I can’t stop smiling. It’s a great environment. The whole community comes out and supports you. It’s what I live for.”

During the JV sport, Waterford head coach DJ Cunningham was ejected, prompting assistant Riley Burns to step up and coach the varsity squad.

Fort Frye’s Caden Henniger, middle, drives the lane as Waterford’s Weston Fairchild, left, and Finn Pennock defend throughout Saturday’s sport at Dan Liedtke Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

“We kept our composure in really tough situations,” Burns mentioned. “We executed a few sets when we needed them. Defensively, we were sound in that last two, three minutes of gameplay. I think the fourth quarter was where we won the game.”

The vitality was sky-high going into the fourth interval after a wild finish to the third. Tied at 34-all, Fort Frye’s Cade Hoskinson appeared to give his crew all of the momentum when he knocked down a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. However, Pennock acquired the ball on the opposite finish and drained a stepback 3 at the buzzer to tie issues up with eight minutes to play.

There have been eight lead adjustments within the fourth quarter alone, beginning with Kainan Bradford’s layup at the start. Waterford’s Avery Pottmeyer answered with a basket-and-one on the opposite finish, however Ethan Wagner’s bucket put the Cadets again on prime. Pennock and Grady Hesson traded baskets, after which Pottmeyer and Wagner did the identical to make it 45-44 in Fort Frye’s favor with 3:14 left to play.

Finally, it seemed like one facet was going to take management when Wagner knocked down a trey to give the Cadets a four-point lead. Pennock had different concepts, pulling up for a 3-ball on the opposite finish and splashing it to get the Wildcats again inside one.

“When my team needs a shot,” Pennock mentioned, “they look toward me.”

Waterford’s Reese Lang (14) is all smiles as he jogs off the courtroom following the Wildcats’ 51-48 win over Fort Frye Saturday at Dan Liedtke Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Waterford acquired a cease on protection, and Reese Lang, who made the miraculous last-second shot in opposition to the Lancers, drew a foul and hit a pair of free throws to put WHS in entrance 49-48 with 37 seconds left.

Fort Frye’s subsequent two possessions got here up empty, and Lang hit two extra foul photographs to make it a three-point sport with 1.3 seconds remaining. The Cadets practically created a miracle of their very own as Grady Hesson threw up a last-second shot the size of Dan Liedtke Court, nevertheless it hit off the again iron to give Waterford the win.

Lang, who led all scorers with 17 factors, mentioned of the final two wins, “We’re having quite a lot of enjoyable now. You get by the downs and now we’re on an up.

“We expected a tough atmosphere. We just believe in our guys. It’s been tough this year. We’ve been through a lot of adversity. We came together as brothers.”

Pennock added 13 factors and led Waterford with 11 rebounds and three assists. Weston Fairchild completed with 10 factors and 7 boards whereas Pottmeyer chipped in seven factors.

“We’re on a roll now,” Pennock mentioned. “I’m proud of our team for staying composed and just playing strong. It’s a big game, big environment. Devin Pottmeyer, he’s a freshman and he came in for some good minutes. Everybody stepped up.”

Fort Frye led 12-10 after one and 23-19 at halftime. Waterford outscored the hosts 18-14 within the third to tie issues up.

Burns mentioned the crew was using the momentum of Wednesday’s win.

“It really elevated our spirits, really elevated our game in practice, and it just kind of flowed over into today’s game,” he mentioned. “We had a great sea of green over there. Awesome crowd, both Fort Frye and Waterford. This is what a rivalry is all about and I’m thankful we got to come out on top this time.”

Waterford (5-8) will look to maintain the constructive vibes going Tuesday when it performs host to River Valley. Though he wasn’t current contained in the health club, Cunningham was in a position to observe the sport and was pleased with what he noticed.

“What can I say about the group? Start rocky for the year. They don’t lose their way. Come in and work every day to get better and fight. We’re to the point where we’re seeing the gathering of our hard work. That’s on those guys. To be in the position they were, to come in and keep grinding every day. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Cunningham mentioned.

The Cadets (6-7), who’re again in motion Tuesday at Caldwell, celebrated senior night time by honoring Bradford, Terry Tompkins, Wyatt Duskey, Aiden Brooks and Chatum Courson. Courson is out for the 12 months with an damage, whereas Brooks returned from damage however performed sparingly.

Hoskinson and Henniger led Fort Frye with 10 factors every. Bradford added eight factors and 6 rebounds whereas Wagner and Hesson chipped in seven factors apiece.

Contact Jordan Holland at [email protected].