Smith, Fietek star in win

Gavin Smith and Jack Fietek led the Staples-Motley boys basketball team to a 61-46 win over Royalton on Jan. 6, with Smith scoring 35 points and Fietek pulling down 13 rebounds.

Coach Micheal Poncelet called the two players the “difference makers” in the game. 

“We had the two hardest working kids on the floor and it allowed us to come out with a win,” said Poncelet. “Royalton is a scrappy team that is tough to score on. Good teams don’t score a lot of points against them.”

The game started with Royalton hitting three pointers to take a 9-4 lead. The Cardinals came back and took a six point lead by halftime. 

In the second half, Royalton brought the game back to a tie when Smith scored ten straight points, including two steals that he took the other way for scores, and Staples-Motley never trailed again.

Smith added 10 rebounds, eight steals and four assists. Fietek scored nine points and helped lead the team’s pressing defense.

Team results

Scoring: Gavin Smith 35, Jack Fietek 9, Mason Rychner 5, Derek Kennedy 5, Trey Skeesick 2, Hunter Carlson 2, Josh Lombard 2, Isaiah Ross-Bahn 1