The final possession of the third quarter didn't clinch West Point-Beemer's road win at Fort Calhoun on Saturday, but it firmly established momentum in the Cadets' favor.
Drake Repschlaeger scored a bucket and was fouled with 0.3 seconds left in the period, giving his West Point squad a six-point advantage going into the fourth quarter of a 63-57 boys basketball victory.
Four more made foul shots to start the final 8 minutes — including two on a Fort Calhoun technical — certainly stacked the deck against the Pioneers (3-4 overall), who didn't have their best effort for coach TJ O'Conner.
“We weren't ready to play,” he said. “And that's what happens when you're not ready to play.”
Fort Calhoun made shots early and led 20-9 through one quarter, but was outscored 54-37 from there on out. A 19-7 West Point (3-6) third quarter forced them to play from behind in the frustrating final period.
“They outplayed us. They played harder,” O'Conner said before doubling down. “They played a heck of a lot harder than we did.”
Keegan Doggett led the Cadets' effort with 23 points, while Jesus Barragan had 19 and Riley Penrose scored 11. Collectively, Repschlaeger and they went 12-for-15 from the foul line during the final quarter.
The Pioneers, meanwhile, were paced by Brant Hilzendeger's 17 points and Carsen Schwarz's 16. Zane Schwarz added 12, but FCHS couldn't get any closer than four points down the final stretch of their fourth loss of the season.
“We've got to get back to work on Monday,” O'Conner said. “I have to do a better job.”
Fort Calhoun next plays Thursday at Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.
FCHS BOX SCORE
West Point-Beemer boys 63, Fort Calhoun 57
WPB (3-6) 9 19 19 16 — 63
FCHS (3-4) 20 14 7 16 — 57
Scoring: FCHS — Brant Hilzendeger 17, Carsen Schwarz 16, Zane Schwarz 12, Grayson Bouwman 8, Michael Shirley 2, Tylan Conner 2.
WPB — Keegan Doggett 23, Jesus Barragan 19, Riley Penrose 11, Drake Repschlaeger 10.
FCHS girls suffer 42-point loss
Sidney Swanson scored 25 points Saturday as the West Point-Beemer girls basketball team earned a 63-21 win at Fort Calhoun.
Freshman guard Maddy Tinkham led the Pioneers with nine points, but her team trailed 15-4 after one quarter and 32-12 after two. Bria Bench added seven points in defeat, while seniors Rianna Wells and Abbie Anderson had two apiece. Kenzie Hansen added a free throw as coach Marty Plum's team fell to 2-7.
The Cadets, meanwhile, improved to 6-3 with the road win.
FCHS BOX SCORE
West Point-Beemer girls 63, Fort Calhoun 21
WPB (6-3) 15 17 20 11 — 63
FCHS (2-7) 4 8 7 2 — 21
Scoring: FCHS — Maddy Tinkham 9, Bria Bench 7, Rianna Wells 2, Abbie Anderson 2, Kenzie Hansen 1.
WPB — Sidney Swanson 25, Reece Snodgrass 13, Brooklyn Weddle 8, Jadyn Meiergerd 6, Emily Toelle 4, Jordyn Landholm 3, Rachel Groth 2.
