Steffens, Fritsche power Crusaders to win

The Saxony Lutheran boys basketball team was happy about bouncing back from a rare loss.

The Crusaders also relished playing in front of a huge crowd at the Show Me Center as the warmup act for Wednesday's much-anticipated Sikeston-Scott County Central clash.

"It was definitely anything different from what I've ever experienced," Saxony senior Garrett Fritsche said.

Saxony, ranked sixth in the most recent Class 2 state poll, slipped past Oran 45-39.

The Crusaders improved to 17-3 and helped ease some of the sting from Monday's one-point home upset at the hands of Meadow Heights.

Oran sophomore defender Jon Morrow blocks Saxony Lutheran senior Bret Steffens.

"We knew we had to get better," Saxony senior Bret Steffens said.

The nearly 7,000-seat Show Me Center was sold out, with most of the fans gobbling up tickets to watch Sikeston-Scott County.

But with only general admission seating available, that meant people started arriving early — very early.

So there were already about 5,000 fans in the stands when Saxony and Oran tipped off at 6 p.m. The arena only kept getting more crowded throughout the contest.

"I figured people would want to get here early for the other game," Steffens said. "It was a whole different experience. It was a good feeling."

Not only did the Crusaders perform in front of their largest-ever crowd, but Wednesday marked the first time they played a game at the local facility where Division I college basketball takes place.

"It was pretty nice," Fritsche said.

Oran plays at the Show Me Center every year during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, but the Eagles also never had seen a crowd like this.

"It was pretty neat," Oran senior Kurt Rendleman said.

Steffens and Fritsche almost outscored Oran by themselves.

Steffens paced the Crusaders with 21 points, including their first 12 points as they led 14-4 early.

Fritsche added 15 points, all coming in the second half.

The Eagles (6-11) were led by sophomore Preston Scherer with nine points. Sophomores Jon Morrow and Nathan Michelsen added eight points apiece.

Although Saxony trailed only briefly all night — at 4-2 — the contest remained tight throughout.

Oran rallied from down 33-22 late in the third quarter — its biggest deficit — to pull into a 37-37 tie on a 3-pointer by Scherer with 4 minutes, 12 seconds remaining.

But the Eagles went scoreless for more than four minutes as Saxony took control.

Steffens hit two free throws with 4:03 left to put Saxony ahead for good at 39-37.

Fritsche's 3-pointer less than two minutes later made it 42-37, and it was 45-37 before Oran scored in the final seconds.

"Saxony did what it took at the end to win," Oran coach Joe Shoemaker said. "It was a chance of a lifetime for our kids to play in front of this many people."

Saxony1491012—45

Oran611139—39

SAXONY (45) — Trevor Mabuce 2, Chris Roth 4, Bret Steffens 21, Bryant Steffens 3, Garrett Fritsche 15. FG 14, FT 15-18, F 15. (3-pointers: Bryant Steffens 1, Fritsche 1. Fouled out: Mabuce)

ORAN (39) — Kurt Rendleman 4, Preston Scherer 9, Jake Carter 3, Gabe Kielhofner 7, Nathan Michelsen 8, Jon Morrow 8. FG 15, FT 6-10, F 18. (3-pointers: Scherer 1 Carter 1, Kielhofner 1. Fouled out: Scherer)