Fatima battled back from an early deficit but couldn’t quite get over the hump in a 56-46 loss in the Class 3, District 8 tournament at Belle.

“We are still scratching our heads wondering how this team lost 11 games this season and became the fourth seed,” said Coach Ryan Robertson. “Steelville is very, very talented and plays extremely hard. We were able to get nothing easy in the half-court.”

By the end of the first quarter, the Comets trailed 15-4, but Fatima fought back through the second. However, they trailed 30-17 at the break.

“They were one of the best defensive teams we’ve seen in the last few years,” said Robertson, his team trailing by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. “Our press delivered in a big way. The mental toughness our kids showed in the third and fourth quarters was something we won’t forget.”

After matching Steelville’s 10 points in the third, the Comets cut the lead to three with 50 seconds to go, and despite winning the fourth, 19-16, Fatima couldn’t overcome the early shortfall. “It seemed like they always answered with a big shot,” said Robertson.

Fatima converted 34% overall and sunk three treys on the night while going 9-15 at the stripe.

Blake Kliethermes led the offense with 14 points (trey, 5-7 FT), with six rebounds, an assist, four steals, and a block. Matthew “Munch” Robertson added 11 (trey, 2-4 FT), with five boards, three assists, and three steals.

Other stats: Logan Kliethermes (trey, 9 points, 3 rebounds, assist, 3 steals), Xavier “Chet” Stuecken (8 points, 5 boards, assist, steal, block), and Max Stuecken (assist, steal), and Sam Struemph (2 rebounds, assist, steal, block) adding two points apiece.

Robertson is pleased with

the grit and heart shown by his seniors, not only in the district championship but throughout their careers. “Their effort epitomizes what we feel Fatima basketball should look like,” he said. “They never worried about how big the tree was. They always just grabbed an axe and started swinging. You don’t replace a senior class like this. The example they set with leadership, work ethic, basketball IQ, and unselfishness will never be forgotten.”

Fatima reached the title game after knocking off Belle in the semis, 44-34.

“Belle is well coached and very solid,” said Robertson, calling the semifinal a scary game. “That, combined with being on their home floor, made it even more challenging. Our guys did an excellent job defensively, and we were able to get Mathew in the post quite a bit in the second half, which turned out to be the difference in the game. Logan also stepped up with some big shots.”

Fatima led 24-16 at intermission and 42-23 at the start of the fourth. The Comets held on despite an 11-2 run by the Tigers in the final stanza.

Robertson’s 18 points (trey) led the way as he grabbed 11 rebounds to go with three assists and a steal. L. Kliethermes added 11 points (three treys), four rebounds, and an assist.

Other stats: X. Stuecken (trey, 6 points, rebound, steal, block), Struemph (trey, 5 points), and M. Stuecken (3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals) and B. Kliethermes (6 rebounds, 3 assists) added two points each.

“Our execution was very good in this game,” said Robertson. “When you only turn the ball over five times in a high school basketball game, you are gonna have success.”

Fatima opened the tournament with a 71-21 win over Bourbon.

“Bourbon is rebuilding, so it was a good chance to get our underclassmen some minutes in a district environment,” said Robertson.

Leading 37-8 at the break, Fatima rotated younger players into the game throughout the contest.

Stats: X. Stuecken (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks), M. Stuecken (trey, 3-3 FT, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, assist), B. Kliethermes (2 treys, 8 points, rebound, assist), Struemph (trey, 7 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, block), Robertson (7 points, 4 rebounds, assist, steal), Devin Luebbert (trey, 5 points, 6 boards, 2 steals), Bryce Wieberg (trey, 5 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals), Cash Mengwasser (4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, steal), L. Kliethermes (4 points, 2 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals), Ty Brandt (trey, 3 points, rebound, assist), and Tanner Huhn (2 points, 2 boards, steal).