Fort Calhoun senior Grayson Bouwman scored his 1,000th career point Friday, leading his Pioneers boys basketball team comfortably past Fremont Bergan in the season opener, 56-38.
The 6-foot-1 guard totaled 25 points with four made 3-pointers at home, but it may have been his time off of the floor that wound up the most telling. With just 2:29 gone during the first quarter, coach TJ O'Connor's only returning starter picked up his second foul, forcing the all-stater to the bench for the rest of the period.
FCHS still led 11-6 after those 8 minutes, though.
“A lot of young kids went in. There were a lot of first varsity minutes out there,” Bouwman said. “I think it's good for them to get time.”
Sophomore Eli Tinkham stepped into the game off of the bench and scored a 4-0 lead for the Pioneers after Bouwman had knocked down two free throws to start the matchup with the Knights. Tenth-graders Blake Welchert and Colby Bentley made free throws, too, before guard Adam Elfoson — a returning sophomore contributor — scored two buckets to end the quarter. The last came from beyond the 3-point arc.
“We have a lot of good young guys,” Bouwman said. “I'm excited to see what they can do in the future, too.”
The Pioneers led after one quarter, but extended the advantage with their senior standout back on the floor during the second, third and fourth periods. Bouwman scored eight points in the second 8 minutes, eight more in the third and hit a long, step-back 3 to start FCHS' scoring in the fourth.
Elofson, meanwhile, finished with nine Pioneer points as both Tinkham and senior Declyn Otte totaled seven apiece.
“We thought we played pretty good,” Bouwman said. “Obviously, there's a lot to improve on throughout the year.”
Altogether, Friday's home victory was a start, but only the beginning.
“We want to be playing our best basketball by the end of February into March,” the senior noted.
FCHS improves to 2-0
Bouwman followed up his 25-point game with 33 during a 68-57 home win against Syracuse on Saturday.
The Pioneers trailed after the first period, but outscored the Rockets 39-23 during the second and third to pick up the 11-point victory. Bouwman scored 12 second-quarter points as FCHS totaled 24.
Travis Skelton added 11 total points for the victors, while Elofson notched eight. Their team next plays Thursday against Douglas County West.
FCHS BOYS HOOPS LINE SCORES
Saturday
Fort Calhoun 68, Syracuse 57
SHS (1-1) 14 13 10 20 — 57
FCHS (2-0) 11 24 15 18 — 68
Scoring: FCHS — Grayson Bouwman 33, Travis Skelton 11, Adam Elofson 8, Declyn Otte 5, Colby Bentley 5, Blake Welchert 4, Chase Premer 2.
SHS — Maxwell Parde 21, Will Janssen 17, Brennan Schroeder 9, N.Gartner 7, Mason Lintz 3.
Friday
Fort Calhoun 56, Fremont Bergan 38
FB (0-1) 6 10 14 8 — 38
FCHS (1-0) 11 14 20 11 — 56
Scoring: FCHS — Bouwman 25, Elofson 9, Eli Tinkham 7, Otte 7, Welchert 4, Bentley 4.
FB — Logan Eggen 10, Gavin Baker 9, Dawson Pruss 9, Trey Mooney 6, Trent Mlnarik 3, Myles Brainard 1.
