Fayetteville Sweeps RTC Friday

Both Fayetteville varsity basketball teams scored dominant victories over their in-county rivals Round Top-Carmine Friday.

The Fayetteville girls won 47-26 as Cambree Denham led the way with 17 points and Scott Beseda added 13. Shae Sladek scored eight. Paige Jurecka and Devynn Moeckel scored four each and Saige Gasaway scored one.

The victory makes the Lady Lions 8-0 in district and 14-13 overall.

“We knew if we got after it in this one that we’d have a good chance,” said Fayetteville head coach Marcus Sodek. “We outscored them 21-4 in the first quarter but then in the second half Round Top handled the pressure a lot better and we struggled with some pressure (only scoring three in that period), but our girls have worked hard to get where we are.

“We’re not officially district champions, but if we can take care of business next week, we can clinch the district title and that would mean a lot. I think 2018 was the last time we won an outright district title, not a shared title, it would be cool.”

RTC was led by Madison Markwardt, who scored 12. Hayden Kasmiersky and Jaylen Bage scored four. Caydan Nelius and Reagan Williams scored two. Bree Dooley and Morgan Nelius scored one each.

The Cubettes are still very much in the playoff picture with a 5-3 district mark.

In the nightcap of the doubleheader, the Fayetteville boys Beat RTC 100-43 to improve to 20-6 overall and 5-1  in district.

The Lions were led in scoring by Kole Schmitt who had 30 points. Mason Fenhaus had 24, Kasen Kocian had 12, Jack Schley had 11, Cole Jurecka nine, Enoch Loafmann had five, Luke Beseda four, and Dylan Henneke two.

Schmitt was particularly deadly from three-point range, making eight such shots. Kocian hit four threes and Fenhaus three.

“I thought they ran the floor very well and I thought we shot the ball well – that always helps,” said Fayetteville head boys coach Jake Diggs. “I was pleased with the defensive effort especially in the first half, converting turnovers into points.”

Fayetteville made it to the state semifinals two years ago and the state quarterfinals last year. Several of the current players were on those teams and are hungry for more success like that – and it shows.

“The kids are working hard,” Diggs said. “I knew before the year we had a pretty good shot at being good again. The amount of work these guys have put in is unbelievable. We’ve had our ups and downs, but hopefully we’re on track now and can continue to make a run.”

The Cubs were led Friday by Facundo Cerda, who scored 14. Tre Fisher scored 11. Kash Wessels scored eight. William Neese and Cash Robertson scored three each. Miles Neese and Connor Fricke scored two each.

Round Top-Carmine dropped to 3-3 in district with the loss but very much stays in the playoff race.

“There are nights when you run into a team like this that shoots the lights out and there’s nothing you can do but tip you hat to them because they are a really great team,” said RTC head coach Brock Marburger. “But at the end of the day, our boys are working hard and we’re still in the playoff race. If we can continue to work hard, we can get into the playoffs. It’s been over 10 years, since 2014. When it’s been that long, we want to be the team to break that drought.”