While neither team came away with a win, both the Lady Falcons and Falcons played with a tenacity on Saturday against a Class 5 school that would allow them to walk away with heads held high, despite the girls losing 57-41 and the boys losing 78-67.

Even with senior Kylea Hoover pouring in 15 points for the Lady Falcons, Fayette was unable to overcome an 11-5 first-quarter deficit. Junior Emma Chew pumped in six points, while senior Abby Nation and Junior Jordyn Ball each added five. Junior Stephanie Nelson put in four points while junior Laci Fuhlage, senior Kayla Felten, and sophomore Kenzie Felten contributed two apiece.

“I was pleased with the fight in our girls today.” Said coach Brian Spielbauer. “They went up against a Class 5 school and stood their ground.”

In boys action, Moberly grabbed the opening tipoff and pumped in a three-pointer to take an early lead. Both teams continued to trade baskets throughout the quarter with Fayette emerging with a 14-13 lead. Moberly took over in the second and third quarters, going into the final stanza with a commanding 22-point lead.

After only scoring two points up to that point, Senior Cody Hilgedick caught fire, hitting four shots from three-point land and another field goal to finish with 17 points as Fayette made a game of it by outscoring Moberly 31-20 in the last quarter.

Senior Kyle Schleeter once again led the Falcons with 19 points, followed by Hilgedick, and sophomore Chase Allen with 15. Senior Zach Henderson added 13. Juniors Garren Vroman and Tyler Bartholomew contributed two and one, respectively.

“It’s really nice to see four of our starters in double figures,” said Bishop. “We fought against a solid basketball team. We didn’t win, but we learned some things about ourselves and are trending in the right direction.

Both Fayette boys and girls will follow up after the break in the 92nd Annual New Franklin Tournament January 4-9. The Falcon boys are seeded third and will face sixth-seeded Pilot Grove. The Fayette girls, seeded sixth, will take on third-seeded Bunceton/Prairie Home.

Complete brackets will appear in the December 30 issue of the Advertiser.