Lutes Lifts FC Past Lions

On January 29, FC boys basketball beat L-O for their first win over a plus-500 team in almost a year.  It took just 10 days to top another good SEC team.  Versus Schaeffer Academy, Aaron Mensink’s group (3-10, 5-15), trailed 38-32 with under 3:00 left.  Josh Peters then hit a three (38-35).  After a big Matt Lutes block, the senior scored, making it 38-37 (1:51).  Schaeffer then couldn’t convert free throws.  Peters also missed two (0:22).  Brock Walsh wrestled down the rebound.  He found Lutes, who rattled in a short runner to give FC its first lead (39-38) of the second half (0:14).  The Lions subsequently missed two free throws and a rebound put-back.  FC prevailed 39-38.  Lutes (career-high 10 pts, 5 rebs) had FC’s last four.  Peters (8 pts, 5 rebs, 4 stls), Luke Ristau (8 pts, 7 rebs), and Nate Haugerud (5 pts, 6 rebs, 5 assists) helped.  Cole Bothun (16 pts) led the Lions.  S.A. (7-2, 16-5) entered with one of the SEC three best records alongside Spring Grove (8-0, 14-5) and Randolph (7-1, 16-4).