Fort Frye is hoping to tip off its first scheduled Saturday night boys' basketball game in February the same way it did in January - with a win over arch-rival Waterford.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, the Eric Henniger-coached Cadet varsity will travel the short trek across the Muskingum River, and play the host Wildcats in a non-conference matchup at Waterford Elementary School.
It promises to be a good one.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy of Pam Brooker
Waterford’s Austin Shriver does in for two as Fort Frye’s defense helplessly watches during boys’ basketball action in Beverly on Jan. 5.
The Fort and Tom Simms-led Waterford each has streaked in opposite directions since that first meeting in Beverly on January 5, a 59-35 Cadet triumph.
Seth Legraen led the winners with a team-high 20 points. Jordan Anderson chipped in with 12, and Chandler Lang netted nine. Shon Smith, the Cadets' top gun, was limited to six markers by the Waterford defense.
The Wildcats were paced by Austin Shriver's game-high 21 points, including his team's first 12 points of the contest. No other Cat scored in double digits.
With that victory over Waterford, the Eric Henninger-coached Cadets improved their overall record to 4-5. Since then, the red, white and blue has climbed over the .500 mark and currently (as of today) own a 10-5 record.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Fort Frye defeated Morgan in a non-conference tilt. The Cadets are slated to play at Monroe Central in a Pioneer Valley Conference showdown Friday night before going over to Waterford Saturday.
The Fort is paced by Caden Brooker, Smith, Legraen, Lang, and Anderson. Look for Carter Keifer, Dominick Omspach, Tyler Norris, and Logan Madison to also see playing time.
Waterford will probably counter with Shriver, Eli Strahler, Brian Moore, Wyatt Porter, and Cody Paxton. Jacob McCutcheon, Austin Bauerbach, Tanner Pottmeyer, and Tryston Crawford are also expected to see action.
The Wildcats were 4-2 going into the first meeting against Fort. They're now 4-8 and in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.
Before entertaining the Cadets, Waterford will be on the road at Federal Hocking Friday night.
Belpre at Warren
The Warren boys' basketball team (14-1) is undefeated both on its home floor in Vincent and on the road. Its only blemish on the season, a setback to Upper Arlington in December, occurred on a neutral site - at Marietta College.
When the Blane Maddox-coached Warrior varsity cagers host Belpre in a non-conference tilt at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, they will be playing their second game in as many nights. On Friday, the royal blue and white tips off the weekend at Logan in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.
Earlier this week, Warren defeated New Lexington 64-47 to extend its winning streak to nine.
The Warriors also beat Belpre 81-70 earlier this month. Evan French led the way with 33 points. Michael Hall chipped in with 16, and Reece Patton had 13.
That Warren trio has been trouble for opposing teams all season long.
Jordan Thornhill-led Belpre has some pretty good shooters itelf, and that's why it was able to hang with Warren in the first meeting. Nick Therriault tallied 25 points, Dakota Hoffman netted 18, and Bryce Pittenger had 13.
The Golden Eagles also have some Friday night business to take care of when they host Wahama in a league game.
Dover at Marietta
When the Marietta girls defeated host Dover 98-47 way back on Dec. 15, 2012, it had Erica Dawson.
Dawson, who scored 39 points in that win, won't be available this time due to an injured right hand when the Scott Cozzens-coached Lady Tigers play the Lady Tornadoes at Sutton Gym at 1 p.m. Saturday.
MHS (11-6, 7-3) will miss Dawson's all-around play, but it will still have Lain Weppler, who tallied 11 points against Dover in the first meeting.
Since Dawson's absence, Weppler has stepped up and been kind of Marietta's go-to player on offense.
Weppler scored 22 points in a 68-37 triumph over Meadowbrook on Jan. 16, and 15 markers in a 45-38 setback at Cambridge last Saturday.
