With his team leading 48-40 Tuesday, Arlington senior Aiden Foreman pulled down a key defensive rebound with two hands.
The 6-foot-5 post player was fouled by a former teammate, Fort Calhoun's Brant Hilzendeger, walked to the foul line on the opposite end and sunk a free throw to further finish off Arlington's second boys basketball victory against the Pioneers in less than a week's time, 51-42.
Foreman agreed it was a big road win for the Eagles.
“It's a little bit more personal. It's a rivalry,” he said. “And it's hard to beat a team twice that close together, back-to-back. So, whenever you can do that, it just feels so good.
“A boost of confidence.”
Coach Tyler Spitser's AHS squad never trailed against its Washington County foe, but it was challenged throughout. Buckets by Fort Calhoun's Tylan Conner and Zane Schwarz pulled the Pioneers within just two points twice during the third period, but late baskets by Foreman and Dustin Kirk pushed the Eagles' advantage to five going into the fourth.
From there, Foreman knocked down a 3-pointer to start the final quarter as Arlington's lead grew to as many as 10 points down the stretch. The Eagles' lone senior led all scorers with 16 points — while Kirk had 15 and Logan Kaup added 12 — but his team's 51 points wouldn't have beaten the Pioneers on Jan. 29 during the teams' first meeting.
With that in mind, AHS adjusted its defensive plans and held shorthanded Calhoun — which had two inactive starters — to just 42 points.
“If they scored the same amount (as on Jan. 29), it was going to be another dogfight again,” Foreman said. “We didn't want that.”
As a result, Arlington won a bit more comfortably despite Hilzendeger and Schwarz's 11 points apiece, improving to 10-7. Fort Calhoun, meanwhile, fell to 7-10. The teams could next potentially meet Feb. 23-25 during the Class C1-4 Subdistrict Tournament.
