Steamer boys hold on for 38-34 home victory
Dec. 5—FULTON — With most of the game's points scored in the first half, the Fulton boy's basketball team had to clamp down on defense against a physical Lena-Winslow squad for its fifth win of the young season.
"We knew Lena-Winslow was gonna come in and be physical. That's what they've done for years. It was a slower pace game, not a lot of points out there with contact everywhere. Our guys were able to get it done," Fulton head coach RJ Coffey said.
The Steamers (5-1) led 33-27 at the beginning of the fourth quarter and Lena-Winslow (1-1) cut the lead to 4 in the opening minute. The Steamers struggled, hitting iron a pair of 3-pt shots, missing a layup on a breakaway, but likewise frustrating the Panthers.
Baylen Damhoff drove to the basket with 5:20 left to push the Steamers to a 35-29 lead, less than a minute later the Panthers snagged a turnover and score a layup of their own.
The Panthers had to get a flurry of fouls against the Steamers in the final minute to force them to the free throw line in hopes to get a few final possession to catch up.
"In the first half we moved the ball a lot better. We were getting open shots and getting to the rim cleaner but in the second half we were just a little too fast and rushed," Coffey said.
Jimmy Crimmins sunk the first of a 1-and-1 to give Fulton a 5-point lead, but the game was still in reach until the Steamers made a steal and Damhoff shut the door with a breakaway bucket. He and Brady Read finished the night with 9 points apiece to lead the team.
A last-second Panther 3-pointer sealed the final score at 38-34 Steamers.
The Steamers will host the Orangeville Broncos on Friday night at 7 p.m. for a special home game with the IHSAA in attendance.
"We've got Orangeville on Friday night and we're actually celebrating our 1500th win," Coffey said. "There's only a few schools in Illinois who have done that. For us it's a big night and we've invited all former coaches and players back so hopefully we get a full house and are able to honor everybody who has been a part of those wins.
