FREMONT – Hosting the No. 10-ranked team in Division I, a team that had defeated it by 43 points in their previous meeting, getting off to a good start was vital for Fremont Ross Friday night against Lima Senior.
An ice-cold start to the night, however, knocked the Little Giants out of contention right from the beginning.
Ross didn’t make its first field goal until its 10th shot of the night, coming in the final seconds of the first quarter as Lima raced out to the early lead and never looked back in a 69-45 win over the Little Giants.
“Tonight, we just didn’t come out with the aggressiveness and confidence that we should and that’s on all of us, players and coaches, everybody,” coach John Cahill said. “We were intimidated. It’s disappointing.”
While Ross’ early shots refused to fall, Lima poured in points from the perimeter, hitting six 3-pointers in the first eight minutes on its way to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter.
“Call me crazy – and we lost by 43 last time – but I really felt like we are capable of beating them,” Cahill said. “They still pressed us and played their guys the rest of the game, and we lost the rest of the game by seven points. And we shot it horribly. They’re clearly the better team right now, but I think if we play well, we’re capable of beating a really, really good team.”
Bruce Root and Jabryis Heidelburg led Ross in scoring with nine points each and Bryce McKinstry grabbed nine rebounds.
“I really like what Jaevon (Martin) gave us tonight,” Cahill said of the 6-foot-6 junior forward. “He went in with the mindset he was going to battle and compete and I think he did that. He’s come a long way in the couple months he’s been with us.
“And Ethan Chumley came in tonight and was strong against pressure, but I thought he was tough and competitive and gave us some good minutes.”
The Little Giants (3-15 overall, 0-12 TRAC) travel to Holland Springfield Saturday for a non-conference contest at 7:30.
Lima Senior 69, Fremont Ross 45
LS| 22—15—14—18 69
FR| 5—14—8—18 45
LIMA SENIOR (69)
Da’san Clair 4, Khalil Luster 11, Joshia Fulcher 12, Jaleel Kng 4, Jamir Simpson 11, Camren Miles 3, No. 32, 13, Jadakis Mack 6, Amihr Curtis 5.
FREMONT ROSS (45)
Hayden Lehmann 4, Jabryis Heidelburg 9, Ben Gedeon 5, Bryce Root 9, Bryce McKinstry 5, LaBronze Barnett 3, Ethan Chumley 4, Jaevon Martin 6,
JUNIOR VARSITY
Lima Senior 48, Fremont Ross 35
LS| 8—16—10—14 48
FR| 6—7—16—6 35
LIMA SENIOR (48)
Bullock 23, Walker 2, Benton 6, Anderson 2, Davis 6, Ragland 9.
FREMONT ROSS (35)
Isaac Fox 2, Mickey Lather 8, Jonathan Szymanowski 10, Tremaine Sims 2, Dion Bradley 4, Jayden Scott 9.
FRESHMEN
Fremont Ross 43, Lima Senior
LS| 2—16—7—8 33
FR| 4—14—6—19 43
LIMA SENIOR (33)
Russell 2, Clark 5, Griffin 2, Mayo 13, Sinthaphone 2, Tibbs 9.
FREMONT ROSS (43)
Kahji Pickens 15, Jaedyn Bulger 4, Kalijah Alejandro 4, Robert Shepard 4, Darrian Ayers 4, Barnett 3, Reece Carter 2, Kurt Harrison 7.