Defense keys Fenton triumph over Guerin
Numbers always take precedence in basketball. So do ratios.
Perspective is everything. Chris Bozeman saw the numbers that meant efficiency and effectiveness.
"That's the best defense we played all year," Bozeman said.
Fenton forced twice as many turnovers (10) as Guerin managed points in the decisive second quarter of their Metro Suburban Red boys basketball game.
Bozeman scored a season-best 19 points and added 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals to power the 65-42 victory over the Gators Friday night in Bensenville.
Fenton (8-13, 4-3) swept the season series against the Gators. The length and athleticism of Bozeman, a senior, and Diamon King, a 6-4 leaper, turned the game into a rout.
A junior, King added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Fenton coach Chaz Taft played his entire roster and 10 players scored as the Bison enjoyed their largest margin of victory this year.
Fenton dominated the first half with an 10-0 run bridging the end of the first quarter and the start of the second quarter. The Bison limited Guerin to just 6 first-half baskets in seizing a 31-13 lead at halftime.
"We just started pushing each other more, and holding everybody accountable and most important, forcing them into making bad decisions with the ball," King said.
"Everybody played together. We read our keys and we moved the ball and we did what our coach wants us to do."
A smooth left-hander who is dangerous either facing the basket or playing in the low post, Bozeman optimized his size advantage on the interior block and dominated the Gators (3-16, 0-8).
Junior guard Detwan Yoakum was a whirling dervish on the court for the Bison. He flashed breathtaking athleticism in using his speed and quickness to push the ball up the floor. He also showed disruptive tendencies in adding 4 steals and 4 assists.
He added 6 points in an impressive all-around game.
"I am just doing what my coach asks me to do," he said. "He rides me harder than anybody on the team, and I did a great job responding. Coach Taft has a great system, and we did a great job of getting everybody involved."
Taft showed the magic touch. No matter who he inserted into the game, his players responded. Guard Ivan Sosa entered in the second quarter and quickly scored 5 quick points with a 3-pointer and two free throws.
Gerrell Wilson, a springy and active 6-5 reserve, scored 10 points on some strong post moves and interior shots.
Guard Izayah Coleman scored 8 points for Guerin.
"In our system Coach always preaches about trying to hold the other team to just 9 points in each quarter and we did that tonight, until the end," Bozeman said. "They only had 24 points going into the fourth quarter.
"This is how we want to play all the time."