Fort Calhoun junior Grayson Bouwman scored 33 points during his basketball team's first meeting with Arlington last week — a 20 point-win.
“Bouwman draws a lot of attention from everybody,” Eagles coach Tyler Spitser said after the second game between the Washington County foes. “I think he's one of the best players around.”
Even with their standout player facilitating to his teammates instead of scoring Tuesday, however, the Pioneers upped their margin of victory to 23 — 57-34.
“We knew, based on last game, that we'd probably see zone,” FCHS coach TJ O'Connor said. “And when teams play zone, you're going to have to make some shots.”
The home team found a way, improving to 11-7 with the win.
“Credit their role players,” Spitser said. “We know they're capable shooters, but we wanted to make them prove it and they did.”
The Pioneers showed off their long-range prowess from the start. Senior Austin Welchert hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 6-0 lead.
“Austin really came out and kind of set the tone,” O'Connor said.
Despite Weston Wollberg's two buckets in response to Welchert, Fort Calhoun led 16-7 after one period and never let up. It won the second quarter 10-7 and the third 19-8 before playing and even fourth, 12-12.
In addition to Welchert's 15-point night, 6-foot-5 senior Wyatt Appel scored 10. Bouwman, Glenn Hunter and Blake Welchert hit 3s as well.
Arlington, meanwhile, was led in scoring by sophomore Kieryn Grothe and senior Darren Olson. Both players tallied nine points with 3-point makes to their name.
Overall, though, Spitser said his team needs to continue to show improvement offensively.
“We've got to find a way to get the ball going side-to-side,” he said. “The ball sticks a lot on one side and we don't make the defense work. At this point, we're pretty easy to guard.”
Fort Calhoun, meanwhile, went right back to work Wednesday morning with a 6:30 weightlifting session. O'Connor said his team would have an “attacking” practice, too.
“Just stay the course,” the coach said, elaborating on his team's plans. “I don't think we'll do anything crazy. It's just going back and getting back to work on getting better, and fine-tuning things and just hoping we continue to play good basketball.”
The Pioneers next play at Nebraska City on Tuesday. Arlington, however, competes 7:30 p.m. today at home against Conestoga.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Fort Calhoun 57, Arlington 34
AHS (5-13) 7 7 8 12 — 34
FCHS (11-7) 16 10 19 12 — 57
Scoring Leaders: FCHS — Austin Welchert 15, Wyatt Appel 10.
AHS — Kieryn Grothe 9, Darren Olson 9.
