The Hillbillies defeated the Springville-Griffith in dominant fashion, 82-34, in a nonleague game at Fredonia High School.

“We came into the game with a lot of energy,” said Fredonia guard Mike Hahn. “We wanted to send a message to the rest of the section that we’re here.”

The Hillbillies (10-4) led 24-7 after the opening quarter behind 10 points in the period from Ethan Fry and 8 points from Davion White.

“We talked about taking advantage of this as our last nonleaguer, trying to clean some things up as we finish out the regular season,” Hillbillies head coach Nick Bertrando said. “We don’t want to peak too early, but at the same time, we want to consistently get better.”

OBSERVER Photo by Ashleigh Brown Fredonia’s Sal Tabone dribbles into the lane as Springville’s Cole Kreitzbender approaches to defend.

Fredonia’s lead climbed to 30 points, 44-14, at halftime. For a team that stresses defense as much as Fredonia does, to hold an opponent to just seven points in each of the first two quarters — and only 10 in each of the final two quarters — was everything Fredonia could have hoped for.

“It really starts on the defensive end. We started communicating more. Our energy is up, we’re matching the intensity of all of our opponents and that’s really pushing us over the edge,” said Hahn.

Hahn drilled three 3-pointers in the third quarter for Fredonia, as the Hillbillies hit six shots from beyond the arc in the period.

The Griffins (6-7) allowed 29 points in the third quarter to fall behind 73-24 before a 10-9 fourth-quarter advantage with Fredonia’s main guys on the bench the entire way.

The huge advantage late in the game for Fredonia allowed for some of the lesser-utilized Hillbillies to get a chance to shine on the floor.

“You just love to see it, really,” said Hahn. “Those guys push us every day. They really are such an important part of our team. They make us better every single day. To see them get their time, get their points, it’s honestly great to see.”

“It’s not just them getting in and getting the opportunity; just seeing the enjoyment and the excitement of their teammates who generally log the most minutes. … It’s special,” added Bertrando. “I think we’re really coming together now as a team and as a family at the right time in the season. Hopefully that type of environment and mentality, through good times and bad times, will keep us on the straight and narrow, and get us where we want to be.”

The Hillbillies had five scorers reach double digits. Fry led Fredonia with 15 points on the night, while White had 13 points. Hahn, Ashton Putney and Malachi Hall all added 11 points in the win.

Fry, White, and Sal Tabone all had five assists apiece in the Fredonia victory. White also led the team with eight rebounds and four steals.

“It seemed like for a little while, our offense was out of sync. But we were able to get things back on track and right now we’re clicking,” said Hahn. “Things are flowing, it’s feeling good.”

For Fredonia, 11 of the 12 players on the team scored. The only player who did not score, Mike Riddle, contributed elsewhere with four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.

“Every single day we’re challenging these guys — no matter what their role or position is on the team — to get better. At the end of the day, as far as we go, each and every single one of them go,” said Bertrando. “There are 12 guys on the team that bring it every single day that may not see floor time or get their name in the paper. Without them, we wouldn’t be doing the nice things we’re doing right now.”

The Hillbillies are back in action on Friday in Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West play at home against Olean.

SPRINGVILLE (34)

Keem 0 0 0, Kreitzbender 1 0 3, Glass 3 0 6, Zittel 2 2 6, Perry 2 0 4, Janingra 0 0 0, Reynolds 0 0 0, Nolan 5 0 10, Heichberger 2 0 5, Brown 0 0 0. Totals 15 2 34.

FREDONIA (82)

Hahn 4 0 11, Ferguson 1 0 3, Whitfield 2 0 4, Fry 7 0 15, Hester 1 0 2, Drummond 1 1 3, Putney 4 0 11, Tabone 1 0 2, White 5 0 13, Hawk 3 1 7, Riddle 0 0 0, Hall 4 3 11. Totals 33 5 82.

3-point goals–Hahn 3, Putney 3, White 3, Ferguson, Fry, Kreitzbender, Heichberger.

Springville 7 7 10 10 — 34

Fredonia 24 20 29 9 — 82