After a close first quarter, Weiser unable to contain Fruitland in conference lose

by Michelle Estes

 The Weiser Wolverine boys travelled to Fruitland on Wednesday, Feb. 9 to compete against the Grizzlies. Going into the conference game Weiser was in fourth place with a record of 3 wins and 5 loses. Fruitland in third place with 5 wins and 3 loses. 

 Fruitland came out quick scoring 8 points before the Wolverines were able to score. 

 With over 3 minutes off the clock, Weiser’s Evan Haggerty fouled on a made lay in went to the free throw line where he sunk his free throw giving Weiser their first points of the night. 

 Weiser quickly added points with an assist from Willy Shirts to Malakye Scott and then a strong offensive rebound and bucket from Brett Spencer. In that minute of play Weiser evened up the score, Weiser 7, Fruitland 8.  

 After a few trips up and down the court, Brett Spencer added a 3 pointer, as well as, a lay in giving the Wolverines the lead, Weiser 12, Fruitland 10. 

 The Grizzlies responded with 7 points of their own while they held the Wolverines. 

 Weiser closed out the quarter with a 3 pointer as Levi Estes found Malakye Scott beyond the arc. 

 The fast paced quarter ended Weiser 15, Fruitland 17. 

 The Wolverines started out the second quarter slower than they had finished the first allowing the Grizzlies to get a 7 point lead. Weiser soon answered with a few nice moves of their own. Brayden Walker drove into the key making a short jumper. Emmett Walker fed Brett Spencer at the elbow for 2 points. 

 In a frenzy of action both Willy Shirts and Brett Spencer took defensive charges as Fruitland players drove in for lay ins. In the last minute of the half, Weiser missed multiple shots while Fruitland made buckets on their end. The quarter ended Weiser 21, Fruitland 32. 

 Both teams came out after halftime playing tough man to man defense. The first score of the third came when Evan Haggerty sunk a shot in the key for Weiser.  

 The Wolverines stalled out after Haggerty’s bucket. Much like the second, Weiser struggled to get the ball to fall while Fruitland continued to score. 

 Michael Youngberg gave Weiser a boost when he made a deep 2 in the corner. Scott found Haggerty as he cut into the key. Levi Estes came down with a tough rebound and put it in for 2 points. This rounded out Weiser’s scoring in the third, Weiser 29, Fruitland 47. 

 Weiser lost a little more ground in the fourth as the Wolverines added 9 points to Fruitland’s 17. 

 Scoring for Weiser in the fourth came from Scott with a 3 pointer, two free throws from both Willy Shirts and Carter Jensen. Brett Spencer chased down a loose rebound and sunk a turnaround jump shot.

 The game came to a close with Weiser losing 36 to 58. 

 Notably the Wolverines went 5 for 5 from the free throw line. Brett Spencer was high scorer for Weiser with 11 points. Malakye Scott had 8, Evan Haggerty 7, Willy Shirts 4, and Levi Estes, Brayden Walker, Michael Youngberg, and Carter Jensen all had 2 points.