Boys B-Ball: Wyandt hits 100 in win over Century

Eli Rockett scored a team-high 14 points (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Coach Shane Wyandt's 100th win at FHS lacked the drama of Tuesday night's 104-99 overtime loss to fourth-ranked Lakeville North but the 58-39 rout of Rochester Century at Tiger Gym provided some momentum for Saturday's match-up with section rival Owatonna.

With the win, Wyandt, who has been head coach for 10 seasons, becomes the first Tiger boys coach to reach the century mark. 

"I didn't even know about it (the 100th win) until Tharen (assistant coach Johnson) told me," Wyandt said.

As for the game that produced No. 100, Wyandt gave it mixed reviews.

"We knew coming in Century would try to slow things down and muck it up," he said. "We started well, playing solid defense and getting out and running when we could. 

"But as the game went on and we experimented with different combinations of players, we seemed to lose our focus a little. I wouldn't say it was our best effort."

Mac Bassett 11 points (photo by Jim Lindquist)

The Tigers jumped to an early lead with strong inside play and pressure defense and by halftime the home team was sitting on a 37-15 cushion. The Panthers didn't crack double digits in scoring until 2:45 renamed in the opening period.

Century played better after the break while the Tigers had trouble maintaining consistent play. The Panthers actually outscored the winners 24-21 in the second half. Farmington's second period output was it s lowest of the season to date.

Wyandt substituted liberally over the final 18 minutes and by the final horn, every player on the bench had seen floor time.

"It was a good opportunity to see how different combinations worked together and to get more players used to competing at this level," Wyandt said.

Despite all of the rotation of players, most of the points came from the starters. Eli Rockett led the way with 14 points while Zach Speikers filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, five rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists. Mac Bassett added 11 points while Johnny Dittman and Nick Varner scored eight and six respectively.

The Tigers who have won four of five games to start the season host Owatonna Saturday evening at Tiger Gym in a game tipping off at 5:00 p.m. Next Tuesday they open Missota Conference play with a home game against Northfield.