THOMAS — The Thomas-Fay-Custer Terriers basketball team opened its season with a win Tuesday night at home against Sayre, winning 45-32.
“It is always good to get that first game in and that first win,” coach Elijah Zoschke said. “I could tell we were still in football shape, but I am so proud of the overall effort from our guys. Gotta give credit to Sayre and they are athletic and tough. They were well coached and challenged us at times”
Thomas played great defense in the fourth quarter, holding Sayre to a single point. Zoschke said the Terriers kept changing their defense, which contributed to the defensive shutdown.
“To be able to defend this well and stay this focused says a lot,” Zoschke said. “We frustrated them by switching our defense up. We were in a 2-3 zone, a man-to-man half-court trap and even just man to man like we did in the third quarter. We played well on defense and it was a good team win for us.”
The first half was a slow start for both teams, but Thomas was ahead 18-16 going into the locker room.
“We were settling too much for long jump shots,” Zoschke said. “The message at halftime was to attack the post more and we did this good in the second half. We tried to beat their man to man defense and a testament to our guys’ maturity for being able to adjust on defense.”
Thomas doubled its points they scored in the first half and it was 36-31 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was all about defense for the Terriers, allowing only a point, and won the game 45-32.
Aden Kelley and Jaxen Mannering each scored 10 points. Noah Rainwater scored 9 points and Gunnar Oakes had 8 points.
Thomas is in action this weekend in the Three Rivers Tournament in Fairview.
“We just have to keep getting better and keep getting in basketball shape,” Zoschke said. “We have not had many practices because of the great success football had. We have only had six pratices and it is just about working on the little things right now. We just have to keep getting better and better.”