By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
FREMONT—The Fremont Packers led by junior sensation Jordon McDonald rolled over the visiting Reed City Coyotes in CSAA Gold action on Friday evening 66-51 in Fremont.
The Coyotes had no defensive answers for McDonald who finished with a game high 26 points, to go along with 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.
“He’s so good around the basket,” said first year Fremont head coach Adam Bowen. “This is what he does, but we had multiple guys step up tonight. It was a great group effort and a great team win.”
McDonald was quick to credit his Packer teammates.
“Logan Nelson and Chaz Miller made some great passes,” said McDonald. “We came out with a lot of energy and we were able to break the Reed City press, something nobody else has done this year. We came out and played really strong.”
Fremont junior Jordon McDonald led Fremont to a 66-51 CSAA Gold win over Reed City on Friday evening with a game high 26 points and 10 rebounds (Photo/Craig Beilfuss)
With the exception of a first quarter tied score at 7-7, Fremont led from start to finish and built there lead throughout the evening.
Both offenses struggled in the early going, although Fremont enjoyed a 12-8 lead after the first eight minutes of play.
Fremont gradually increased there lead in the second stanza outscoring Reed City 22-12. McDonald would score eight points in the quarter to go along with six points from sophomore Gavin Richards in leading the Packers to a 34-20 halftime lead.
“The biggest key to the game tonight was getting off to the good start,” said Bowen. “We had a great defensive effort and we got up on them, that was a huge key to everything tonight.”
The second quarter also marked an 18-minute delay due to a player injury.
Reed City didn’t have any defensive answers for McDonald after the halftime break.
The 6’3” junior controlled the offensive end and burned the Coyote defense for 10 third quarter points. Reed City held the upper hand in the quarter outscoring Fremont 18-17 but still trailed Fremont 51-38 going into the fourth quarter.
Joey DeLong would take over the scoring reigns for Fremont in the final eight minutes, tossing in 9 points as the Packers would maintain a healthy lead throughout as large as 60-42 with 4:07 remaining.
“We came out and played extremely hard from start to finish and were able to beat a very good Reed City team,” said Bowen.
“Our kids worked there tails off and battled all night long. I am very proud of the kids and the effort they put forth.”
Joining McDonald in double figures for Fremont was senior Joey DeLong with 15 points, while grabbing 6 rebounds. DeLong went 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Senior Elijah Shears, coming off the bench tossed in 10 points. Senior Logan Nelson had a great all around game with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Reed City, now 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the CSAA Gold, was led in scoring by senior Isaiah Moore who finished with a team high 10 points.
Fremont, has won five consecutive games, improves to 7-4 overall and is tied with Reed City for second place in the CSAA Gold, trailing Big Rapids by one game. The Packers will be back in action on Monday evening, January 24 when they travel to Montague to take on the Wildcats in a non-league game.
