FHN falls to Lindbergh in GAC / Suburban Challenge

The Francis Howell North Knights boys basketball team went up against the Lindbergh Flyers Friday evening on the opening night of the inaugural at the in St. Charles.

sought to post it's first win of the season as the team entered the contest with an 0-5 record, but fell behind early against Lindbergh and were unable to catch up. The Flyers. meanwhile, are now 5-1 on the year after the 59-44 win.

FHN coach Bill Moyer hoped his team could build on some defensive success they had in a loss to Duchesne this week.

"We need to establish some consistency," Moyer said.  "Especially coming off our best defensive performance of the season against Duchesne, tonight was disappointing."

Senior Andre Wooten was a strong part of FHN's defense, but he said the team had trouble executing on defense.

"We need to translate our effort in practice into our games to get a win and we're going to keep playing hard till that happens," he said.

FHN senior guard Steve Raines managed three early steals but the team was unable to establish ball control and the Flyers struck for a three pointer to take the 6-2 lead early on.

The Knights did not get good looks at the basket in the first quarter but kept the game close behind baskets by Raines and forward Braxton Martinez.

The opening quarter ended with the Flyers leading, 14-8.

FHN was strong enough defensively to remain in contention in the first half but numerous turnovers in the offensive zone cost the Knights.  

Late in the first half Martinez received a pass from junior guard Donte Wilkerson to score, while junior Nathan Viehmann found his touch in hitting a field goal to pull the Knights to within two points of the Flyers.

Lindbergh's outside shooting overwhelmed the Knights,  as they hit a trio of three-pointers to leave Knights down 31-21 at the end of the half.

FHN narrowed lead with strong defensive pressue as senior Andre Wooten stole the ball at mid court and passed to sophomore Kyle Lemons for a basket.

The Knights' best chance to gain the lead followed an offensive rebound by Wooten and a subsequent basket by 6-foot-3 senior Dan McGraw, who led the Knights with 10 points on the evening.  

A few seconds later McGraw, struck again to make it 40-35 Lindbergh. His basket was answered quickly as Flyers' junior Blake Welch scored while falling to the ground after a foul and then hit his free throw to finish the three point play.

"We came out a little flat but our defense kept us in it and we were able to pull away in the fourth quarter, I'm pleased overall with our effort," Lindbergh Coach Jason Wolfard said.