(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Freshman guard Zach Speikers scored all of his team-high 15 points in the second half as the Tigers overcame a a four-point halftime deficit to defeat Shakopee 48-45 Friday night at Tiger Gym.
Speikers drained five of six second half shots and at one point scored 15 straight Farmington points as the Tigers clawed their way out of a 33-28 hole.
"We know Zach is a scorer," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said. "It's been a matter of gaining confidence at playing at this level.
"You could see it in his eyes when he made that first three. After that it was a matter of running sets to get him the ball."
Nick Varner's put-back with 4:30 to play gave Farmington its first lead of the second half at 44-43. The stingy Tiger defense allowed just one basket the rest of the way and that came with fewer than 20 seconds to play.
"I thought going in that defense, rebounding and stopping them from getting out in transition would be key," Wyandt said. "I thought we played with a lot of energy tonight. When we rebound we can be pretty good."
Sophomore Nick Varner (center) 2 free throws with 25 seconds to play
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers made it interesting down the stretch, making just four of nine free throws in the final minute.
"I could have been breathing a lot easier if we'd made a few more of those," Wyandt said.
Farmington still wasn't nearly at full strength. According to Wyandt, Varner (six points) was playing at 90 percent and Darren Beenken (8 points) at about 85 percent capacity because of ankle issues. Mackinley Bassett (knee) was dressed but didn't play and Austin Bassett was in street clothes with yet a knee injury.
To add to the injury woes, senior co-captain Jake Hanson had to leave the game with a shoulder problem in the second half and did not return.
Sophomore Eli Rockett battles for a rebound
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Wyandt said he is hoping his team will be healthier next week when it plays two more Missota Conference games, Tuesday at Holy Angels and Thursday at home against Northfield.
"We want to build some momentum heading toward the section," he said. "The top three seeds may be locked up but we have a shot at the fourth spot and we've shown we can play with two of the top three (Owatonna and Rochester Century)."
