Prep boys basketball: Fenwick spoils EHS opener with 59-36 domination

Fenwick High School senior guard David Luers scored 23 points Tuesday night, leading the host Falcons as they spoiled Edgewood’s boys basketball season opener with a 59-36 victory.

Luers scored 17 points, including four 3-pointers, in the first half. He outscored EHS during that time as the Cougars were held to just 15 points.

“We had a little slump in the second quarter with our scoring, and David Luers hit seven straight points to extend the lead,” Fenwick coach Pat Kreke said. “He was solid the other night (against Talawanda) with 14 points, but not hitting those shots, and tonight he was just feeling it.”

MORE COVERAGE

The Falcons (2-0) were able to connect on seven 3-pointers after only making 3 of 26 shots from beyond the arc against Talawanda. Senior guard John Engelmeier hit one of those treys and finished with 11 points.

“Our kids are decent shooters, so this was a more typical outside shooting night,” Kreke said. “You don’t know if it’s first-game jitters or what it is, but you are not going to see that much if ever again.”

Kreke felt Fenwick’s defense took the Cougars out of their game, which helped the offense come to life.

“We knew this was going to be a challenge and they were going to come after us, but I think our kids did a better job on the defensive end,” Kreke said.

The Falcons opened the game with a 7-0 run and quickly jumped out to 21-11 lead after the first quarter. After a slow start to the second period, Luers caught fire and helped the hosts take an 18-point lead into halftime.

This was a redemption game for Fenwick after losing to Edgewood 50-46 in last season’s opener.

“They hit us in the mouth and took us out of our game, and our kids didn’t respond,” Kreke said. “Many of these kids were on that team and remember that and wanted to do the same thing.”

Edgewood struggled to score and was in foul trouble all night. Garrett Gabbard and Austin Scott led the Cougars with seven points apiece.

“Our team, including myself, struggled tonight,” said Edgewood coach John Thomas, who was denied his 100th career coaching win. “We did things that are just not acceptable in our program and have to play better defense and take care of the basketball.”

Fenwick travels to Roger Bacon for a Greater Catholic League Coed Division opener Friday. The Spartans reached the Division III state championship game last season.

“They might have lost a lot of players from last year, but they still have players,” Kreke said. “It is going to be a battle.”

The Cougars will travel to Northwest on Friday to begin Southwest Ohio Conference play.

Edgewood 11-4-7-14—36

Bishop Fenwick 21-12-16-10—59

EDGEWOOD (0-1): Tyrevis Hill 1 2 4, Austin Scott 2 3 7, Ethan McCarty 3 0 6, Garrett Gabbard 1 5 7, Trent Allen 1 2 4, Isaac Haskell 1 0 2, Gabe Allen 2 0 4, Isaiah Gambrell 1 0 2. Totals: 12-12-36

FENWICK (2-0): Caleb Davis 1 1 3, Zach Lorei 2 0 5, C.J. Napier 0 4 4, David Luers 6 7 23, John Engelmeier 4 2 11, Jared Morris 1 0 3, Nick Braun 1 1 4, Jonathan Hoerlein 2 2 6. Totals: 17-17-59

3-pointers: F 7 (Luers 4, Engelmeier, Morris, Braun)

About the Author