01-11-03
NASHVILLE @ OKAWVILLE
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE - Brent Frederking is a 'load' in the paint. Just ask anyone at Okawville High School on Saturday night.

The 6-6 senior muscled his way to 25 points and helped lead his team to a 26 to 15 rebounding edge in the Rockets' 53-44 win over Washington County rival Nashville (10-7) Saturday night.

Okawville improved to 13-2 on the season with the win as they attacked the smaller Hornets in the paint, producing some easy baskets.

"We just don't have anyone to match up with him (Frederking) inside." said a dejected Nashville coach Darin Lee. "They (the Rockets) are a better basketball team right now then we are."

Despite playing a tough SIRR Mississippi Conference game the night before at Anna-Jonesboro, Nashville seemed like the fresher team, especially when they made a big run to start the second quarter.

After leading 14-13 at the first horn, the Hornets scored the first seven points of the second frame.

Chris Engele hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to get the Hornets rolling.

A fast-break lay up by Brendan Morris and a 15-footer from the corner by Stephan Kozuszek gave Nashville its biggest advantage of the night at 21-13.

Okawville however countered quickly with Lance Rabenort hitting a 3-pointer.

Then on the next trip down the floor he scored on two free throws after being fouled in the paint by Nashville's Ryan Humphrey. Rabenort's five point run got the Rockets back close.

It was at this point in the game that the size advantage enjoyed by the Rockets began to show as Okawville took command of the quarter, and eventually the contest.

Back-to-back trips by the Rockets, by Frederking and 6-4 junior Beau Barkow, produced points.

Frederking hit 1-of-2 from the stripe and Barkow scored in the paint while being fouled by Ben Boehne.

Although he missed the free throw, Okawville was setting a trend that would continue the rest of the evening.

"We had an advantage in the post and we wanted to go there early and often." said Okawville coach Jon Kraus. "Frederking is a load to handle in there and it showed tonight."

A pair of free throws by Josh Maschoff got Nashville back to a four-point advantage at 25-21 with 3:35 to go before halftime.

But then Okawville took command, scoring the next 13 points, including an 8-0 run to finish the half.

Frederking scored on a nice baseline move to get the Rockets within two.

After a Nashville miss, Kozuszek picked up his third foul reaching in on Frederking.

His two free throws evened things at 25 with 1:42 left.

Nashville again came up empty on its next trip and Frederking gave his team its first lead since the early going with a reverse lay up moments later.

Nashville held the ball for the last shot of the half to try and get even heading into the locker room.

But a loose ball in the paint resulted in the Rockets getting another oportunity to score.

Frederking got the ball and headed to the basket and his fast break lay up with :02.2 gave the Rockets a 29-25 lead and a big momentum boost heading into intermission.

"They made that big run to end the second and it carried over to the third quarter. We just didn't have anyone that could stop them in the paint." added Lee.

That pivital third quarter opened with Rabenort scoring on a running one hander in the lane.

On Nashville's next possesion, Okawville came up with a deflected pass and Joel Hundelt raced to the other end for a basket and a 33-25 Rockets advantage.

Nashville's David Carson scored on the baseline on a pass from Kozuszek to hault the Rockets run momentarily.

But Okawville would score the next six points on two quick trips.

Frederking continued his dominance underneath the basket as he scored while being fouled by Morris with 2:46 left. His free throw made it 37-27.

The real backbreaker came on the next Rockets trip.

Nashville stiffend on the defensive end and made the Rockets work for the entire possession.

But eventually, Okawville's Joe Boeschen worked loose on the left side of the 3-point arc.

His left-handed jumper found nothing but the bottom of the net and the rout was on at 40-27.

Frederking finished off the quarter with two big scores in the paint. He was fouled by Morris after scoring on a lob pass by Rabenort and his free throw made it 45-30 Rockets.

His next basket came on a set out of bounds play. His short bank shot on from the left baseline gave the Rockets an insurmountable 47-30 advantage.

Nashville did make a final push to get within seven points late in the game.

But they missed some chances at the free throw line that could have gotten them within striking distance at the end.

Ty Ashermann came around a screen near the right elbow and canned a 3-pointer to cut the marging to 51-41 with 2:39 to go.

After a Okawville miss Ashermann again scored, this time driving the lane while being fouled by Frederking.

But his free throw was off the mark and Okawville got the ball back. However Maschoff stepped in front of a errant pass and was fouled by Hundelt.

But he also missed his opportunity in a 1-and-1 situation. Okawville managed to run some clock on its next possession before Morris could foul Rabenort with just under a minute left.

Rabenort missed the free throw, but Frederking got the rebound and cleared the ball out. Nashville got the ball back a few moments later.

Forced to foul, Nashville sent Frederking to the line where he made the final two points of the night, sealing the nine-point victory.

The 'shaggy-haired' Frederking led both teams with 25-points.

Boeschen added 13 and Rabenort nine for the Rockets, who hit the road for two road contests at Marissa and Trenton-Wesclin.

They will then play five games at the Benton Invitational Tournament January 20-25.

Nashville got 12 from Ashermann and 10 from Engele.

The Hornets host 'high-powered' DuQuoin and All-State candidate Nick Hill next Friday before hosting the Nashville Invitational Tournament January 21-25.