Ethan Fry Scores 15, Swipes 8 as Mustangs Hand NEN First Loss

North Nodaway had little reason to be optimistic coming into Tuesday’s game with Northeast Nodaway. They were at 1-2 after a last-second loss to Platte Valley and another loss to Stanberry. They beat an outmanned East Atchison team to get their first win, but they were facing a Northeast Nodaway team which was unbeaten in three tries and had not been seriously challenged.

Northeast had every reason to be worried about Aydan Blackford, but it was Ethan Fry, a tall skinny kid who was not your stereotypical guard, who ate the Bluejays alive, stealing the ball at every opportunity and getting 15 points in North Nodaway’s 41-31 win as the Mustangs overcame a 50 board performance by the Bluejays.

The Bluejays looked like they would just destroy North Nodaway on the boards, as they got a 12-1 advantage on the boards in the first 2½ minutes. But somehow, the game remained tied at 4-4 through the 1:32 mark of the first, and that was when North Nodaway realized they could play ball with them. Aydan Blackford got a drive and pullup, Fry added a putback, and Mason Casner added a free throw in the closing seconds as the Mustangs were on top 9-4.

Chris Kephart, who had 19 boards for the Bluejays, picked up his second foul and the game threatened to get away after Blackford’s drive put North Nodaway in front 16-9. But then Jadin DeFreece countered with a putback and a drive to bring the home side back to within 18-13 at the break.

Fry kept picking the Bluejays’ wallets, and the Mustangs went back in front 24-15 in the third. But then Kephart put the Bluejays on his back and brought them to within 24-20 with 2:15 left in the third before he picked up his fourth foul.

Jadin DeFreece scored off a steal to start the fourth to make it 24-22, but then Preston Hansen, who had been quiet the whole game, suddenly grabbed an offensive glass and Fry got yet another steal to put the game out of danger at 28-23. Landon Wilmes got a free throw and DeFreece added a putback to make it 28-25, but then Aydan Blackford’s drive sprung Hansen loose again, and he came through to break the run. Blackford connected with a baseline shot and a putback to make it 34-25 with 3:25 left in the game.

Brycen Kennard got loose in transition and Kephart put the Bluejays on his back again, getting an inside shot and a putback to make it 36-31 again. But Blackford got loose inside and added a free throw after a stop with 26 seconds left to make it 39-31. The second went astray, but Hansen was there for the putback to seal the game for the Mustangs.

Ethan Fry had 15, Ayden Blackford 13, Preston Hansen and Brice Trimble had 6 each, and Mason Casner had 1.

Ethan Fry and Preston Hansen had 2 blocks each. Aydan Blackford and Mason Casner had 1.
Aydan Blackford had 14 boards. Preston Hansen and Brice Trimble had 6, Ethan Fry 3, Owen Martin and Mason Casner 2, and Kody Bird 1.

Aydan Blackford had 3 assists. Brice Trimble had 2, and Owen Martin, Preston Hansen, and Ethan Fry had 1.

Owen Martin had 6 tips for the Mustangs. Ethan Fry had 5, Aydan Blackford 3, and Preston Hansen and Brice Trimble had 2.

Ethan Fry had 8 steals for the Mustangs. Aydan Blackford and Owen Martin had 3 each, and Brice Trimble and Mason Casner had 2 each.

For Northeast Nodaway, Jadin DeFreece had 14, Chris Kephart 9, Ethan Gascoigne 5, Brycen Kennard 2, and Landon Wilmes 1.

Chris Kephart had 4 blocks. Ethan Gascoigne and Jake Redden had 1.

Chris Kephart had 19 boards for the Bluejays. Jadin DeFreece had 16, Ethan Gascoigne 5, Landon Wilmes 4, and Jake Redden and Brycen Kennard had 3.

Jake Redden had 2 assists, while Chris Kephart and Ethan Gascoigne had 1.

Landon Wilmes had 3 tips, while Jadin DeFreece had 2 and Ethan Gascoigne had 1.

Jadin DeFreece and Landon Wilmes had 5 steals each.