Fenton holds off Reavis at the end

Coach Joshua Payton is trying to change the culture of the Fenton boys basketball program, and a 45-42 win over an undefeated Reavis team certainly turned the Bison in the right direction.

After starting the half down 26-16, Reavis (4-1) went on an 11-0 run to take the lead. But the inexperienced Bison (2-3) kept their composure Tuesday in Bensenville.

After exchanging baskets late in the third and early in the fourth, a big 3-pointer from Jeremy Biagi gave Fenton a 39-38 lead, and with 22.2 seconds left KJ Jones hit two free throws to make it 45-42.

The Rams' Calvin Jordan attempted a desperation 3-pointer at the last second, but it was blocked by Bryan Larsen.

"For our seniors who are trying to lead us the best they can they've never been in those situations … and our juniors had a moderate amount of success, but they're not used to being in those situations either," Payton said. "And for the lack of experience in those situations these guys are really responding and doing a nice job."

Fenton had a big first half with the help of David Alden, who hit three 3-pointers, but after Alden got into some foul trouble, Eric Trujillo came off the bench to give the Bison an 8-point boost and help them go into halftime up 26-16.

When Reavis went on its run, sophomore Bran Trell Seymore had a lot to do with it.

Building off of a 9-point first quarter, Seymore added 8 more points in the second half to get his team back in the game. The Rams' Jordan and Azmi Zomot also hit 3 pointers in that 11-0 run.

"I just knew we needed to get the energy back," Trujillo said. "That's the first thing that went through my mind. We were fine, we just needed to get the energy back."

The energy started back with a basket down low from David Echeverria that broke the third quarter scoreless run for Fenton, and it was finished off by strong play from Jones in the fourth quarter.

Along with his two last-second free throws, the point guard also had 6 points in the second half.

"I'm so proud of his toughness…," Payton said. "Those were big-boy free throws."

Reavis coach Jeff Smith wasn't happy with his team's start but happy with the effort in the second half with a couple kids out due to illness.

"Our kids didn't quit," Smith said. "But the kids did a pretty good job of battling and keeping in the game. We didn't come out well, we missed a bunch of layups but Fenton played very hard and did a good job."