Knoch downs rival Freeport at home
JEFFERSON TWP — As Knoch boys basketball coach Alan Bauman saw it, his team’s first 10 games of the season were played in preparation for Tuesday night’s section opener against Freeport.
“The results in December didn’t matter,” he said. “We scheduled a lot of tough opponents because we knew Freeport is a tough, physical team. We were able to take those lumps tonight.”
And win.
James Snyder drained a 3-pointer with 3:23 left in the game to give the Knights a 56-54 lead they never surrendered in a 63-60 victory on their home court.
“We went down by five points early in the fourth quarter and that could have been our downfall,” Bauman said, “but we didn’t stop tonight. We kept fighting.”
Treys from Zarian Finucan and Derek Lang helped the Knights remain close before Snyder put them up for good.
Jackson Bauman’s two free throws with seven seconds left pushed Knoch’s edge to 63-60. Freeport’s last gasp, a 3-pointer attempted by Brady Sullivan, was off the mark.
The loss snapped the Yellowjackets’ six-game winning streak.
“We didn’t play defense to the level we are capable of and we know it,” said Freeport coach Sean Devinney. “It’s a lesson learned, but a tough one.”
The Yellowjackets (7-3, 0-1) showed why they have high hopes for the 2022-23 season. After a slow start, they scored 21 points in the second period and led 27-25 at the break.
Ben Lane hit four treys and paced Freeport with 16 points. He joined Zach Clark, Gavin Croney, Parker Lucas, Gavin Glista and Sullivan in hitting clutch shots in the second half.
“We have a deep bench and I’m confident putting a number of guys in,” said Devinney.
Knoch (3-8, 1-0) is a very young team. Freshmen Jackson Bauman, Lang, Teegan Finucan and Zane Pacek all played pivotal roles in Tuesday’s win.
But Snyder, a senior, provides both leadership and production. He scored a team-leading 15 points against Freeport.
“He’s our emotional leader and we need him to produce,” said Coach Bauman. “The other guys feed off him.”
“Being in that locker room after this win was amazing,” said Lang. “We’re happy to get it and looking forward to earning the next one.”
FREEPORT 60
Dean Furer 3 1-3 7, Ben Lane 5 2-2 16, Parker Lucas 2 2-4 6, Gavin Croney 4 0-0 10, Gavin Glista 2 2-4 6, Brady Sullivan 3 0-0 6, Zach Clark 3 2-2 9, Brady Stivenson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 9-15 60.
KNOCH 63
Teegan Finucan 4 2-2 11, Jackson Bauman 2 3-7 7, James Snyder 5 2-4 15, Kaden Spencer 5 0-2 11, Zarian Finucan 3 2-3 9, Zane Pacek 1 0-2 2, Derek Lang 3 0-0 8, Gasparo Porco 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 9-20 63.
Freeport 6 21 19 14 — 60
Knoch 11 14 20 18 — 63
3-point goals: Freeport 7 (Lane 4, Croney 2, Clark); Knoch 8 (Snyder 3, Lang 2, T.Finucan, Z.Finucan, Spencer)
