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Addison Trail too tall for Fenton

Addison Trail's height was a clear advantage for the home team heading into Tuesday's nonconference boys basketball game against Fenton.

And with a front line of 6-foot-5 or taller, the Blazers used that length to the fullest in a 68-39 victory.

Addison Trail (8-4) outrebounded the visitors 40-15 while making life difficult for the Bison in the paint on both sides of the court.

"We knew we had the height advantage coming in," said 6-6 junior Colton Noel, who led the Blazers with 14 points, "and we wanted to take advantage of it. We pounded the ball inside and then when we couldn't get the ball inside, we kicked it out to the shooters and they knocked down some shots."

That inside-out play was apparent at the outset of the second half, when Ryan Zygowicz and Zach Novak sandwiched 3-pointers around a pair of buckets by Noel as an 11-0 run pushed a 30-14 halftime margin into a 27-point advantage.

"The third quarter was one of our best quarters of the year," Addison Trail coach Brendan Lyons said. "We told the guys in timeouts and and at halftime, stay the course and try to get the ball inside. When Colton and Eric (Grygo) are in there together, it gives us a formidable presence."

Grygo had 6 points in the third as the lead swelled to 51-23 heading into the final eight minutes. He finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Eleven players in all scored for Addison Trail, with Stevan Jones adding 9 points and 4 steals, Jack Kalbas knocking down a pair of 3s on his way to 8 points and Michael Williams totaling 6 points and 8 rebounds.

"We are very deep on the bench," Noel said. "You can pretty much go through our entire lineup and we will still have success."

Nick Schaub led Fenton (5-8) with 15 points.

"The biggest thing was our lack of execution on the offensive end," Fenton coach Josh Payton said. "If we don't run our offense, we don't get good looks. And then their size, they are a very large team and they are very active. We didn't do a very good job pursuing box-outs and pursuing the ball and that led to a lot of second opportunities for them."

  Fenton's Kenta Jones goes up for a shot against Addison Trail during boys basketball action in Addison on January 5, 2016. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Fenton's Kenta Jones keeps up with Addison Trail's Nicholas Conrad as he drives the ball down the court during boys basketball action in Addison on January 5, 2016. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Addison Trail's Eric Gryo looks for an opening for a shot around Fenton's Joe Andrews during boys basketball action in Addison on January 5, 2016. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Fenton's Joe Andrews looks for an opening as Addison Trail's Zachary Novak losses control of the ball during boys basketball action in Addison on January 5, 2016. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
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