It's cliché, but it's hard to beat the same team twice.
The Fort Calhoun boys basketball team accomplished the feat Tuesday at Arlington, securing a 58-42 win against the host Eagles. FCHS (14-4 overall) hosted an defeated AHS (8-9) a week earlier during the Nebraska Capitol Conference Tournament, too.
“We know their players, know what they do,” Pioneers senior Declyn Otte said. “And we know not to get down on ourselves.”
Calhoun had to play through adversity during the second period when the Eagles cut its one-time 13-point lead to just three. Arlington's Trent Koger and Oliver Ladehoff combined for a 6-0 scoring run in the quarter before Jaxson Burns' 3-pointer pulled the home team within 24-21.
FCHS responded, though, with Morningside Mustang recruit Grayson Bouwman hitting a pair of his own 3s down the stretch. Ladehoff again scored, but Otte's free throw to end the half pushed the Pioneers' advantage to 33-23.
The senior wasn't done, though. He made baskets inside the 3-point arc and out to start the third quarter, adding to Fort Calhoun's lead.
“I'm looking for a shot every time,” Otte said. “But my teammates got me open looks and I got what I could.”
The Pioneers led by double digits the rest of the way, securing a 16-point road win — the 110th of coach TJ O'Connor's career, which includes a stint at AHS. Bouwman finished with a game-high 20 points, while Otte scored 13. Travis Skelton totaled 11 points, too, with three makes from long-range.
Koger, meanwhile, led coach Jake Polk's Arlington squad with 13 points. Burns had 12 with two made 3s, while Ladehoff finished with nine points total.
The Eagles next play tonight at Conestoga, while FCHS will compete Tuesday against Nebraska City.
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Fort Calhoun 58, Arlington 42
FCHS (14-4) 19 14 14 11 — 58
AHS (8-9) 10 13 9 10 — 42
Scoring: FCHS — Grayson Bouwman 20, Declyn Otte 13, Travis Skelton 11, Colby Bentley 8, Eli Tinkham 2, Blake Welchert 2, Adam Elofson 2.
AHS — Trent Koger 13, Jaxson Burns 12, Oliver Ladehoff 9, Kieryn Grothe 5, Killian McIntosh 2, Dallin Franzluebbers 1.
