Fatima boys wins Linn’s Legends Bank Holiday Classic

Fatima won Saturday’s championship game 60-48 over Osage at Linn’s 62nd annual Legends Bank Holiday Classic.

“We felt like this was one of our better defensive efforts in the last couple of weeks,” said Coach Ryan Robertson. “There was more talk, and we were more in unison on the defensive end.”

Fatima saw three players reach double figures and all but one player on the roster scored in the win.

“We are getting scoring out of several spots, which is good to see,” said Robertson. “Levi (Robinson) and Easton (Haslag) are scoring at a great clip right now. They’ve shown consistency. Max Stuecken has stepped up, and Matthew Robertson had an excellent championship game. He’s the engine of the bus. When he’s playing well, we are different.”

The Comets converted 55.6% from the field, including a 3-10 mark outside and a 7-11 performance at the FT line.

Robinson scored a team-high 20 (2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT) and grabbed five rebounds to go with a pair of assists and three steals. Robertson added 14 (2-5 FT) with four boards, two assists, and a steal. Haslag finished with 12 (2-2 FT) with three assists and three rebounds.

Stuecken put in four while collecting three rebounds, with two assists and three steals.

Robinson, Haslag, and Stuecken were named to the All-Tournament team.

Also scoring were Logan Kliethermes and Sam Struemph (4 each) and Brody Troesser (2).

In the semis, Fatima knocked off Tipton, 67-50.

“Much respect to Tipton defensively,” said Robertson. “They did a good job of clogging things up, and we’re very physical. They will be a tough matchup for anyone in districts because of their style of play. They don’t give you anything easy. Combine that with an excellent point guard, and they proved to be a tough matchup.”

After a relatively even first quarter, the Comets found a groove and took off, scoring 20 in the second to lead 37-28 at the half. Tipton kept it even as both teams scored 13 in the third. Fatima put the game away in the fourth with a 17-9 finish.

Haslag led with 23 (1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT). Robinson added 14 (4-6 FT) with a team-high seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Stuecken went 3-7 from long range and 1-1 at the line to finish with 10 points.

Also scoring were L. Kliethermes (9), Robertson (7), and Troesser (3).

In the first round against Russellville, Fatima won 89-68, but Robertson wasn’t entirely pleased.

“This was not our best performance of the year,” he said. “We struggled a little bit defensively in this one. Russellville hit several shots from long distance, which kept us from getting away from them early. I credit our guys for getting stops at the end of this game to get some separation in the final quarter.”

Robinson and Haslag each scored 26, and Robertson and Stuecken scored 11 apiece, followed by Xavier Stuecken (4), Struemph, Blake Kliethermes, and Jace Eisterhold (3 each), and Troesser (2).

Rebounding was led by Robinson’s 11 as Roberson snagged nine, followed by Haslag (6), X. Stuecken (4), and Troesser (3).

“We have much room to grow and improve, and we will need to, going into two tough games before Christmas and the great eight after Christmas,” said Robertson.