Lions honor Stephen Barcus in Foundation Game against Zane Trace
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — There was more than just basketball going on Saturday night at Fairfield High School. The community of Leesburg arrived in full force to pay tribute to Stephen Barcus as his memory was honored throughout the evening at Grandle Gymnasium.
In pre-game ceremonies, the Lions, the Zane Trace Pioneers and everyone in attendance gave the family of Barcus, better known as 'Peanut,' a standing ovation as the Fairfield team presented his family with a game ball signed by the Lions and Pioneers before they took part in the Foundation Game, in which all proceeds went to the family of Barcus.
Barcus lost his life due to a car accident on July 5, 2011.
In the game program, it stated the following about "Peanut:" "Stephen was an avid basketball player and a joy to be around as a person … His smile, lively personality and dedication made him one of the most beloved students to ever walk the halls of Fairfield … He was a fan favorite while playing, and oftentimes you could hear chants of 'Peanut' from spectators and students in the crowd."
"It means a lot that the community of Leesburg showed up in full force like they always do whenever there is a need that needs to be met," Fairfield head coach Matt Carson said. "I'm really appreciative of the officials for donating their time. It was great in the regard of the opponents and their fans supporting this cause as well.
"It was good to see the unity of this community tonight. It is just a great place to live. I've grown up here my whole life. I wouldn't want to live or work anywhere else, and I can honestly say this community should be proud of themselves and of the class individuals that are going to represent them every night on the basketball court."
Carson talked about dedicating the season to their fallen teammate and player.
"It's just not tonight, they want to dedicate this season to Peanut. I told them in the locker room that we came up short on the scoreboard tonight, but don't look at yourself in the mirror for a second and think that you guys quit.
"This team won't quit. We'll get better, and tonight stings a little bit, but in the grand scheme of things as far as life goes, we were able to make a difference. I think that is something that speaks volumes for the Leesburg community and our people."
Following a moment of silence before the tipoff of the preseason event, the Lions and Pioneers played in a preseason game where the Pioneers won 65-54.
"We are improving," Carson said. "There are still some things we need to fine-tune on the offensive end. I think at times we do a good job of crashing the boards both defensively and offensively, we just don't make a lot of first contact on a shot."
In their final tune-up before the start of the regular season this coming Friday, the Lions got off to a slow start, trailing 6-0 early on, but Austin Hildebrant was first to score for the Lions with a jumper.
Later in the first, the Lions trailed 16-6, but a three-point play by Wesley Willey stopped an 8-0 run by the Pioneers. ZT answered with a 3-pointer, but the Lions ended the first with six consecutive points from the duo of Quentin Williams and Brad Clay for a 19-15 score in favor of the Pioneers.
The Lions were on a bit of a run in the second quarter, working their way to a two-point deficit at 26-24 with points from Clay, Blake Hildebrant and Cole Putnam.
The Pioneers rebuilt their lead, but again, the Lions made it a one-point score with Blake Hildebrant making it a 29-28 score with 1:25 left in the opening half.
In the second half, Austin May sank a 3-pointer for the Lions, cutting the Pioneers' lead to five points. However, by the end of the third quarter, ZT gained a 51-42 lead.
In the final quarter, the Lions were unable to get near the lead of ZT, coming within 10 points at 60-50 with 2:54 left in regulation.
For the game, Clay led the Lions with 16 points, followed by Williams with 15. Blake Hildebrant scored eight points, followed by Austin Hildebrant, Willey and Putnam all with four points each. May rounded out the Lions' scoring with three points.
Overall, the Lions were 17-of-24 from the free-throw line (71 percent), making a total of 18 field goals (one 3-pointer).
ZT had three players finish with double-digit scoring with Wes Beam with 20 points. Jesson Hill added 18 points, and Brandon Cox scored 10.
Carson said his team is improving in their final week before the regular season.
"You can see the inconsistencies of this team because we were looking really great for spurts and then we'll make a couple of plays that will make you scratch your head," he said. "I don't want us to have the excuse of inexperienced varsity basketball players because we are all varsity basketball players. They will keep coming in every day and continuing to get better like they have so far."
The Lions open their 2011-12 regular season by hosting East Clinton on Friday, Dec. 2 and Southeastern (Ross) on Saturday, Dec. 3. Both games will be non-league.
In earlier games on Saturday the Fairfield freshmen team won 25-21 over ZT, and the FHS reserve team won 51-32 over ZT.
All proceeds of the event went to the Stephen "Peanut" Barcus Memorial Fund.
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY QUARTERS
ZTHS 19 16 16 14 — 65
FHS 15 14 13 12 — 54
INDIVIDUAL STATS
ZTHS (65)
E.Hutton 0 (0) 2-3 2
I.Carle 5 (0) 0-0 10
C.Whitehouse 1 (0) 3-4 5
C.Bush 0 (1) 0-0 3
J.Hill 5 (2) 2-2 18
C.Smith 0 (0) 0-1 0
T.Hinty 0 (0) 2-2 2
W.Beam 9 (0) 2-5 20
TOTALS: 21 (3) 14-21 65
FHS (54)
Q.Williams 6 (0) 3-5 15
A.May 0 (1) 0-2 3
B.Hildebrant 3 (0) 2-2 8
B.Clay 5 (0) 6-8 16
A.Hildebrant 2 (0) 0-0 4
W.Willey 1 (0) 2-3 4
C.Putnam 0 (0) 4-4 4
TOTALS: 17 (1) 17-24 54[[In-content Ad]]
In pre-game ceremonies, the Lions, the Zane Trace Pioneers and everyone in attendance gave the family of Barcus, better known as 'Peanut,' a standing ovation as the Fairfield team presented his family with a game ball signed by the Lions and Pioneers before they took part in the Foundation Game, in which all proceeds went to the family of Barcus.
Barcus lost his life due to a car accident on July 5, 2011.
In the game program, it stated the following about "Peanut:" "Stephen was an avid basketball player and a joy to be around as a person … His smile, lively personality and dedication made him one of the most beloved students to ever walk the halls of Fairfield … He was a fan favorite while playing, and oftentimes you could hear chants of 'Peanut' from spectators and students in the crowd."
"It means a lot that the community of Leesburg showed up in full force like they always do whenever there is a need that needs to be met," Fairfield head coach Matt Carson said. "I'm really appreciative of the officials for donating their time. It was great in the regard of the opponents and their fans supporting this cause as well.
"It was good to see the unity of this community tonight. It is just a great place to live. I've grown up here my whole life. I wouldn't want to live or work anywhere else, and I can honestly say this community should be proud of themselves and of the class individuals that are going to represent them every night on the basketball court."
Carson talked about dedicating the season to their fallen teammate and player.
"It's just not tonight, they want to dedicate this season to Peanut. I told them in the locker room that we came up short on the scoreboard tonight, but don't look at yourself in the mirror for a second and think that you guys quit.
"This team won't quit. We'll get better, and tonight stings a little bit, but in the grand scheme of things as far as life goes, we were able to make a difference. I think that is something that speaks volumes for the Leesburg community and our people."
Following a moment of silence before the tipoff of the preseason event, the Lions and Pioneers played in a preseason game where the Pioneers won 65-54.
"We are improving," Carson said. "There are still some things we need to fine-tune on the offensive end. I think at times we do a good job of crashing the boards both defensively and offensively, we just don't make a lot of first contact on a shot."
In their final tune-up before the start of the regular season this coming Friday, the Lions got off to a slow start, trailing 6-0 early on, but Austin Hildebrant was first to score for the Lions with a jumper.
Later in the first, the Lions trailed 16-6, but a three-point play by Wesley Willey stopped an 8-0 run by the Pioneers. ZT answered with a 3-pointer, but the Lions ended the first with six consecutive points from the duo of Quentin Williams and Brad Clay for a 19-15 score in favor of the Pioneers.
The Lions were on a bit of a run in the second quarter, working their way to a two-point deficit at 26-24 with points from Clay, Blake Hildebrant and Cole Putnam.
The Pioneers rebuilt their lead, but again, the Lions made it a one-point score with Blake Hildebrant making it a 29-28 score with 1:25 left in the opening half.
In the second half, Austin May sank a 3-pointer for the Lions, cutting the Pioneers' lead to five points. However, by the end of the third quarter, ZT gained a 51-42 lead.
In the final quarter, the Lions were unable to get near the lead of ZT, coming within 10 points at 60-50 with 2:54 left in regulation.
For the game, Clay led the Lions with 16 points, followed by Williams with 15. Blake Hildebrant scored eight points, followed by Austin Hildebrant, Willey and Putnam all with four points each. May rounded out the Lions' scoring with three points.
Overall, the Lions were 17-of-24 from the free-throw line (71 percent), making a total of 18 field goals (one 3-pointer).
ZT had three players finish with double-digit scoring with Wes Beam with 20 points. Jesson Hill added 18 points, and Brandon Cox scored 10.
Carson said his team is improving in their final week before the regular season.
"You can see the inconsistencies of this team because we were looking really great for spurts and then we'll make a couple of plays that will make you scratch your head," he said. "I don't want us to have the excuse of inexperienced varsity basketball players because we are all varsity basketball players. They will keep coming in every day and continuing to get better like they have so far."
The Lions open their 2011-12 regular season by hosting East Clinton on Friday, Dec. 2 and Southeastern (Ross) on Saturday, Dec. 3. Both games will be non-league.
In earlier games on Saturday the Fairfield freshmen team won 25-21 over ZT, and the FHS reserve team won 51-32 over ZT.
All proceeds of the event went to the Stephen "Peanut" Barcus Memorial Fund.
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY QUARTERS
ZTHS 19 16 16 14 — 65
FHS 15 14 13 12 — 54
INDIVIDUAL STATS
ZTHS (65)
E.Hutton 0 (0) 2-3 2
I.Carle 5 (0) 0-0 10
C.Whitehouse 1 (0) 3-4 5
C.Bush 0 (1) 0-0 3
J.Hill 5 (2) 2-2 18
C.Smith 0 (0) 0-1 0
T.Hinty 0 (0) 2-2 2
W.Beam 9 (0) 2-5 20
TOTALS: 21 (3) 14-21 65
FHS (54)
Q.Williams 6 (0) 3-5 15
A.May 0 (1) 0-2 3
B.Hildebrant 3 (0) 2-2 8
B.Clay 5 (0) 6-8 16
A.Hildebrant 2 (0) 0-0 4
W.Willey 1 (0) 2-3 4
C.Putnam 0 (0) 4-4 4
TOTALS: 17 (1) 17-24 54[[In-content Ad]]