Fremont-Mills holds off Sidney in 55-49 victory

Eli Owen scored a career-high 31 points and Fremont-Mills withstood a furious Sidney rally in the final quarter to hold on for a 55-49 Corner Conference boys basketball win Friday.

The Knights (8-11 overall, 6-4 in the conference) out-scored the Cowboys 22-12 between the second and third quarters to take their double-digit lead into the final frame. But Sidney wouldn’t go so easily, scoring 26 points in the quarter. The Knights responded with a 21 point final frame of their own to secure their second straight conference victory.

The Knights’ defense came up big all night, according to Fremont-Mills head coach Steve Raymond.

“I am super proud of how hard we have played on the defensive end,” he said. “Our coverages were great and we did a better job of defensive rebounding. I’ve been very pleased with how we are playing on the defensive end.

"Not to be out-done by the offense, Raymond said the victory was “one of our better offensive nights.”

“We were patient and got the ball moving side-top-side,” Raymond said. “I felt like 10 different hands touched the ball on every possession and then we worked the ball into the post. We did a great job of executing from the inside-out. I also am proud with the resolve we showed. We dealt with some adversity and showed that we can rise up to the level of our competition and win a close one. Hats off to Eli Owen and to the rest of our team for hitting some big free throws in the second half.”

Owen was a red-hot 7-of-8 from the field and 15-of-15 from free throw line on the night.  He also grabbed four rebounds and two steals.

Jake Malcom pitched in nine points and four rebounds.

Fremont-Mills 58,
Clarinda Academy 29

A quick 19-4 start to open the game and season-high 21 steals on defense helped Fremont-Mills to a 58-29 victory over Clarinda Academy in Corner Conference boys basketball last Tuesday.

The Knights shot 40 percent from the field but limited the Eagles to 16.6 percent shooting (11-of-66).

“Our defense has been a staple of our team and something that we have emphasized from the start of the season,” Raymond said. “Our kids never quit and they do a great job on the defensive end. At times we struggle rebounding, but we still have been outlasting other teams possessions with our zone. The boys have really bought into the coverage aspect and it shows.”

The Knights shot 40 percent from the field but they recorded 14 assists on their 20 made field goals, and, perhaps more importantly, seem to be gaining confidence.

“I feel we are starting to see an identity form on the offensive end,” Raymond said. “We struggle on that side of the ball, however we have been taking care of the ball and getting more patient possessions. If it comes together, we’re going to be a team that not a whole lot of other teams want to play.”

Eli Owen made 7-of-14 shots for a game-high 19 points. Taylor Reed added 13 points and Jake Malcom nine.

Bedford 47,
Fremont-Mills 43

Fremont-Mills struggled to put the ball in the hole in a 47-43 loss to Bedford last Monday in a boys non-conference basketball tilt.

The Knights shot 32 percent from the field (16-of-50) but trailed just 26-23 after three quarters.

Eli Owen paced Fremont-Mills with 14 points and James Switzer added 13.