Boys basketball: Hansen’s 32, Duft’s career-high lead Fremont to overtime road win at Weber
-
- Fremont High’s Hunter Hansen (10) shoots over Weber’s Tyler Payne (2) on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Weber High’s Will Stratford, left, and Fremont’s Zach Masters fight for a loose ball on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Weber High guard Hunter Schenck (3) navigates the defense of Fremont’s Dylan Bruce (11) and Zach Masters (14) on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Fremont’s Ryker Saunders (21) dribbles against contact from Weber’s Jordan Oberholtzer on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Weber High’s Malachi Spencer (12) rises to shoot against a contest from Fremont’s Hunter Hansen (10) on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Weber High’s Will Stratford, center, splits two Fremont defenders on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Fremont’s Ryker Saunders, rear, shoots over Weber’s Jordan Oberholtzer (0) on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Weber High’s Jordan Oberholtzer dribbles against Fremont on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Fremont’s Hunter Hansen drives the ball against Weber on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
-
- Fremont’s Zach Masters (14) moves past Weber’s Will Stratford (15) on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Pleasant View.
PLEASANT VIEW — Friday night’s boys basketball game between Fremont and Weber was another unforgettable rivalry matchup. The game had big-time plays, a buzzer-beater attempt at the end of regulation and a plethora of lead changes in front of a sellout crowd with nothing but standing room only.
In the end, Fremont held on for a thrilling, 75-68 overtime victory to earn its first Region 1 win of the season and its third straight in the rivalry series.
“You live for these moments and opportunities,” Fremont point guard Easton Duft said.
And he did just that.
The junior scored a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, to help the Silverwolves rally and stun a Weber team that was off to its best start since 2015 when the Warriors went 19-4.
“We knew it was going to be a battle and I’m proud of our guys for stepping up to the challenge” Fremont head coach Corey Melaney said. “Everyone played their hearts out and gave it their all and we needed that tonight. Weber is a very good team and very athletic, so it was important for us to get this win and get our confidence back.”
When asked if the game was circled on the calendar, Duft nodded his head and, with a big smile, said, “Absolutely. Everyone knows each other and it’s a lot of fun playing against friends. There’s a lot of trash-talking going on but that’s what makes the rivalry so great.”
After Fremont (9-7, 1-2 Region 1) jumped out to an 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Weber (12-4, 2-1) came roaring back to finish the second quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 34-32 lead into the half.
“It took us a minute to get going and Fremont was making a lot of great shots, but our guys responded and found their groove” Weber head coach Landon Cosby said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t hang on at the end but hats off to Fremont on an incredible game. It’s unfortunate that somebody had to lose tonight.”
With a game-high 32 points from Hunter Hansen, he and Duft led Fremont with a combined 57 points. Duft’s 25 included back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime to give the Silverwolves the win.
“Easton played phenomenal both on offense and on defense,” Melaney said. “He’s a special player and he has a lot of confidence. Those 3-pointers in overtime were deep, and he didn’t hesitate at all either.”
“I didn’t realize how far out I was,” Duft said, smiling. “But I had some space and was feeling it, and luckily they both went in.”
Malachi Spencer led Weber with 25 points of his own. The senior was an enforcer on both ends and got the crowd going in the second half with a lovely alley-oop midway through the third quarter to give Weber a 42-40 lead.
“It was fun seeing him do that and it’s been great coaching him this year,” Cosby said. “He’s a great kid, super athletic and who has made huge strides this year. He’s a big reason why we’ve got off to such a great start this season.”
Hunter Schenck, who came in averaging 20 points per game, was held to 14 as Fremont’s defense focused on getting the ball out of his hands. Jordan Oberholtzer chipped in 12 points and Will Stratford added eight points in the loss for the Warriors.
Next up for Fremont are home games against Syracuse and Layton, while Weber will go on the road and face Layton and Davis.