LANCASTER – The scene was set for the biggest game of the season for the Fairfield Union boys’ basketball team when it entertained Circleville on Saturday night, Feb. 7.
First place in the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division was on the line as the Tigers and Falcons had one loss each in league play. The large crowd is usually a factor at home for the Falcons, and it can be difficult for visiting teams.
However, Circleville senior guard Kole Nungester, who started as a freshman at Teays Valley before transferring to Circleville his junior year, was not fazed. He has played in his share of big games and, as a four-year starter, has played in over 80 career varsity games. His experience showed from start to finish.
Nungester controlled the pace of the game, and more importantly, silenced the crowd from the jump, scoring 13 points in the first quarter as the Tigers raced out to a 10-point lead and never looked back in a dominating 56-33 victory.
The Tigers improved to 15-2 overall and 8-1 in the MSL, while the Falcons slipped to 12-5 and 7-2. The two teams will meet again in 10 days.
“I like to get started in the paint, but my three-point shot felt good early, and once you see one go in, it gives you confidence,” Nungester said. “As a four-year starter, I have played many tough games over here, and it is one of the toughest places to play, so I thought coming out jumping on them would be huge because you know if you get to the third and fourth quarter and it’s close, it’s going to be a dogfight and anything can happen.
“We haven’t won a league title in 45 years, and we want to be the team that does that. It is what has been pushing us all season. We are not there yet, but this is one step in that direction.”
Nungester finished with a game-high 23 points, including four 3-pointers, and he went 3-for-4 at the free throw line.
The Tigers led 19-9 at the end of the first quarter and increased their lead to 29-13 at halftime. The Falcons didn’t do themselves any favors by committing 10 turnovers in the first half. They went 1-for-8 from the field in the second quarter and were just 5 of 16 in the first two quarters. The lead ballooned to 46-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
“They came out and took it to us right away, and (Nungester) made some nice drives to the bucket and hit some long 3-pointers in the first quarter,” Fairfield Union coach John Helber said. “They had us on our heels and pushed us around, and their pressure bothered us. We were sloppy with the ball, and that is something we have to get fixed. The good thing is, we still have everything in front of us as far as what we want to accomplish.”
Mason Ailes led the Falcons with 12 points, Keaton Webb had seven points and four rebounds, while Asa Kline finished with six points and eight rebounds, and Drake DeFazio came off the bench and chipped in six points.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Led by Nungester, Circleville overwhelms Fairfield Union in key MSL win
Reporting by Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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