By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

But with the Crusaders leading, the Warriors had to foul and Fahey had the ball.

"Fahey was not the guy we wanted to foul, but sometimes it just works out that way," Scheef said.

The Central Catholic junior hit seven straight free throws in the final quarter, including six in a row in the final minute, as the Class C-2 No. 4 Crusaders downed Wahoo 59-55.

Fahey led the Crusaders (13-5) with 25 points. He was 7-for-12 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point land.

Fahey and senior Jake O'Connor burned the Warriors (8-7) early from long range. O'Connor, who had 14 points for the game, hit three 3-pointers in the opening quarter while Fahey had two.

Central Catholic's first 15 points all came on threes.

"They got us out of our 1-3-1 pretty quickly with the way they shot the ball," Scheef said. "We went to a diamond-and-one to try and slow him (Fahey) down and O'Connor got hot. We went to a triangle-and-two, and when you do you expose yourself a little more inside.

"We wanted to take those two away and still give a lot of help. They had guys step up and hit a lot of shots for them today."

Central Catholic coach Bill Gavers said it wasn't easy for the Crusaders to adjust to what the Warriors were doing on defense.

"They tried some different defenses triangle and two, diamond-and-one," Gavers said. "It took us a while to get adjusted to it. You have to give them credit.

"They made some tough shots in big moments."

The game was close all the way. The Crusaders finally opened up a little breathing room by going on a 12-4 run to open the final quarter. Fahey hit a 15-footer from the wing to give GICC a 51-43 lead with 3 minutes, 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Wahoo's Taylor Murren did his best to get the Warriors back into it. Murren scored nine points in the fourth quarter, but it was Austin Watton's 3-pointer that got the Warriors to within 55-53 with 27 second remaining.

But Fahey hit two more free throws and Lucas Wagoner nailed two more as the Crusaders held on to get the win.

"We gave ourselves a chance at the end," Scheef said. "You have to give them credit. They knocked down their free throws at the end and took care of business at the line."

After relying on the 3-pointer in the opening half, the Crusaders began going inside much more in the second half. A 3-pointer by Fahey in the third quarter was the only one GICC made in the second half.

Instead, Sam Bolton got a couple of baskets along with Wagoner.

"Sam all year has done a pretty good job of posting up inside and Luke does a great job being smart and going to the boards," Gavers said "Those two guys at 6-foot and 6-1 do a remarkable job night in and night out guarding bigger guys."

The Crusaders were coming off a 10-point victory at Broken Bow on Friday night. Gavers said it was great experience for them to come back and play again the next afternoon.

"It was two different situations on the road Friday night and here facing different teams," Gavers said. "Broken Bow played some zone and Wahoo played some junk. We were happy our kids were able to persevere."

GRAND ISLAND CC 59, WAHOO 55

WAHOO (8-7)

Murren 10-16 2-2 25, Walton 4-8 2-2 12, Stuchlik 2-3 2-2 6, Anderson 3-5 6-8 12, Moore 0-5 0-0 0, Barry 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 20-38 12-1455

GRAND ISLAND CC (13-5)

Buck 2-2 1-6 5, S. Fahey 7-12 7-7 25, O'Connor 5-13 0-0 14, Bolton 2-3 0-0 4, Wagoner 2-2 5-7 9, T. Fahey 1-5 0-0 2, Wiens 0-2 0-0 0, Howard 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-39 13-20 59.

Wahoo 15 13 11 16 55

Grand Island CC 15 10 16 18 59

3-Point goalsWahoo 5-10 (Murren 3-6, Walton 2-3, Moore 0-1). GICC 8-18 (S.Fahey 4-6, O'Connor 4-7, Wiens 0-2, T. Fahey 0-3). Fouled outNone. ReboundsWahoo 22 (Walton 6). GICC 16 (Wagoner 8). TurnoversWahoo 11, GICC 9. Total fouls Wahoo 14, GICC 11. TechnicalsNone.