Fairfield 43 @ Sycamore 44 Game Recap

<p>First place in the GMC was on the line at Sycamore High School as a highly anticipated re-match between Fairfield and Sycamore was on tap. Fairfield took the first contest 61-60 in overtime as [player_tooltip player_id="921772" first="Kollin" last="Tolbert"] led the Indians with 19.</p> <p>The rematch started slow for the host Aves as [player_tooltip player_id="1219811" first="Owen" last="Bronston"] hit an and-1 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Fairfield a 17-5 lead after one quarter. Bronston has had a breakout senior season and provides 3 and D production from the wing position, local Division III programs should be taking a close look at Bronston as he’s a perfect plug and play role option. In the second quarter it was all Sycamore as they knocked down a handful of their 10 3-pointers that were made throughout the night. Brothers Ben and [player_tooltip player_id="1378191" first="Austin" last="Southerland"] each had three apiece and gave Sycamore a 25-24 lead at the break. The third quarter was more of the same with both teams trading blows to make the score 37 all heading into the fourth. The fourth quarter was sloppy as neither team could really find a rhythm, but a [player_tooltip player_id="867933" first="Deshawne" last="Crim"] drive and score cut the Sycamore lead to one point with about a minute to play. After a Sycamore turnover gave Fairfield the ball back, [player_tooltip player_id="921764" first="Ben" last="Southerland"] stole a pass and threw it ahead to all but seal the victory. Fairfield got a last second heave that fell short of the rim and Sycamore is now tied atop the GMC at 10-2 in conference play with Fairfield. Lakota East is a half-game behind those two at 10-3.</p> <p>Top performers</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921764" first="Ben" last="Southerland"], 6’7 PF Sycamore 2022: Southerland’s shooting ability was on full display as he was running off screens to try and get enough space to let it fly from downtown. Southerland has more of an on-ball self-creation type style of play with Sycamore as the main option compared to his role with Midwest Basketball Club. It was nice to see him live off a tougher diet of outside shots but Southerland didn’t look comfortable putting the ball on the floor when the defense was keyed in on stopping him. I expect Southerland to have a chance to play right away for Liberty and has all the potential to be an all-conference type player for the Flames.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809630" first="Logan" last="Woods"], 6’4 SG Fairfield 2022: Woods took the match-up with Southerland personally as the grassroots teammates were going at it all night. Woods showed off his great intangibles with tough defense and a winning attitude all night. Woods led his team in scoring with 13 points, but his outside shot wasn’t falling as he finished 1-7 from 3-point range. Despite this, Woods was one of the most impactful players on the court.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1378191" first="Austin" last="Southerland"], 5’11 SG Sycamore 2023: The younger Southerland brother came off the bench and his scoring helped lift Sycamore out of a dry-spell to open the game. Austin relies on using screens off ball to get open and find enough time to launch from 3-point range, he’s nailed 37 on the season at a 47% clip. Southerland played his role well and was a key reason why Sycamore came out on top in this one.</p>