Game 58: Brimfield vs. Williamsfield (Boy's Basketball)

Game 58
(1/13/10)
Brimfield vs. Williamsfield (Boy's Basketball)
Inter-County Conference Tournament (@ Cuba)

A late addition to the broadcast schedule was this second night of the Inter-County Conference (ICAC) Tournament. The games (all but one day) are being played at Cuba High School, home of the North Fulton Wildcats. I didn't decide to broadcast these games until Tuesday morning, giving me limited time to prepare for five teams I had never seen before (saw Williamsfield at the Thanksgiving Tournament).

There is no easy way to get to Cuba from Monmouth. Thank goodness for Garmin. Funny story. The first year I moved to this area, I broadcasted a B-PC/North Fulton basketball game. On the way back, I didn't turn at Route 95 and went straight into Lewistown. The sad part was I had an atlas (I could have really used a Garmin back then had they been invented). Looking at the atlas, it appeared Macomb was a straight shot west from Lewistown. I decided to find a country road and just drive west out of Lewistown. This took me on a wild ride of hills, curves, and more curves. So many, that I lost my sense of direction. Eventually, I found Bernadotte, and unsure of where that was even located. I kept driving strange country roads, then found Marietta. I knew this was where I wanted to be, and took a right. I ended back in Cuba. I turned around and made my way back to Macomb, a mere 90 minutes later, only an hour out of my way!

The directions Garmin gave me took me down Cameron Road into Cameron, then taking a left on the first road south of town. This road slices across to Route 41 between Abingdon and Galesburg. Then a turn down Route 41 through Abingdon and continue south until the 41/116 intersection. A few miles east on Route 116 to London Mills, and then a right on a country road that takes you to Route 9. A left on Route 9 to the Cuba turnoff, and then a six mile stretch on Route 95 south into Cuba, and just like that, arrival at Cuba High School.

Misjudging the drive time, I didn't arrive at the school until 4:40, only 20 minutes before tipoff of the first game. I rushed into the gym, and my setup on the stage. Cuba Athletic Director Elliot Craig stopped by to make sure everything was there for the broadcast. Also ran into North Fulton girl's basketball coach Craig Davis.

This is the first time I have been in the new Cuba High School since the year it opened (2004 I think). Only one broadcast at the gym, and I can even remember it! I had troubles with the phone line that was in the band room next to the stage. Had to use a cell phone, and the connection (anywhere in Fulton County) was terrible, and got knocked off the air several times during the broadcast. It was Farmington vs. B-PC in the Fulton County/Spartan Tip-off crossover. The Farmers prevailed 50-40. Funny how you remember these things!

Since that game, a wall, or maybe a temporary wall has been placed between the stage and that band room. A lot of P.E. equipment was piled up, such as goalie nets along with band equipment. The Brimfield cheerleaders were back there getting prepared for their cheers in this first game. There was also a new football sign, that will be placed on the football field, highlighting the football accomplishments of the North Fulton Wildcats. Walking around the maze through all of this, I was able to get to the outlet. All broadcast equipment was set up and online ready to go with about 2 minutes to spare, phew.

The officiating crew for this first game was Joe Thompson, Aaron Furrow, and Jake Kilberg. Out of the now 60 games I have broadcasted, it seems like I have seen this crew in over half of them. They were also officiating last night's Monmouth-Roseville/Abingdon game.

Brimfield comes into this game ranked #2 in Class 1A and holds an undefeated (15-0) record. The "Billtown Bombers" enter the contest at (11-4). Bombers coach Bob Anderson surpassed the 500-win plateau last season, and gets every ounce of basketball out of his tiny roster. Williamsfield High School is host to 75 students. That's 75 students in the ENTIRE high school, freshman through senior.

It was all Indians from the get-go in this opening game. Brimfield jumped out to a 19-4 lead after the first quarter. The Bombers were held to just four free throws in the opening minute. Brimfield's pressuring defense forced seven Bombers turnovers. Williamsfield did not convert on a field goal until the 5:22 mark of the second quarter.

Brimfield outscored Williamsfield 20-9 in the second quarter, taking a 39-13 lead into halftime. Three Indians had already reached double-digits in scoring in the first half. Danny Dwyer and Ethan Westart each had 11 at halftime, and Jake Spietz had 10. Spietz is the younger brother of Paige Spietz, the all-state basketball player that is headed to the University of Missouri next year.

Alex Ott came out in the second half on fire, scoring 12 points in the third quarter for the Bombers. Williamsfield outscored Brimfield 21-16 in the third quarter, but still trailed big heading into the last eight minutes (55-33). Only two field goals were made by Williamsfield in the fourth quarter, and Brimfield went on to post a 70-41 win, improving to 16-0.

Ethan Westart scored a game-high 24 points for Brimfield, with Danny Dwyer and Jake Spietz each adding 13 points a piece. Alex Ott paced Williamsfield with 20 points.

The Quest File Notes
Game 58
Date: 1/13/10
Result: Brimfield plays near flawless basketball, in posting 70-41 win
Miles: 59