Hononegah Indians do enough to beat Rockford East 52-51

On Friday in the Hononegah Fieldhouse, the Indians beat one of the top early-season favorites for the NIC 10 crown. Hononegah 52, Rockford East 51. 

The anticipation was in the air. The Hononegah Tribe was loud and in full support. The game matched what most people thought to be a tight, hard-fought, competitive game between two well-coached teams. 

The Indians were led on offense by senior forward Brayden Olson with 23 points and got scoring help from Caleb Hart with 11 points and Carter Freedlund with 8 points and 10-plus rebounds.

One of the leading scorers for the Indians this season has been newcomer Oba Fasalojo. Although in Friday’s game, he struggled a bit, he still put up 6 points, blocked 3 shots, and grabbed a handful of rebounds in the game. 

Friday was the second of a back-to-back night for the Hononegah Indians. Thursday evening, they beat Grayslake North on the road 77-56. 

Friday’s win gives the Indians a 7-3 overall record, and now they sit at 4-2 in the NIC 10 conference. Next up for the Hononegah Indians is a road game against Intrinsic Charter School Downtown Campus in downtown Chicago on December 26th, 2024. 

Head Coach Tom Schmidt credited his team for their great defense and keeping a good Rockford East team from scoring at their normal level. Coach Schmidt said he feels “this might be the best starting five” in the NIC 10 conference when he referenced Rockford East. 

Hononegah Indians 7-3 Overall 4-2 NIC 10 Conference 

Scorers

Carter Freedlund 8 

Brenden Tell 2

Caleb Hart 11

OIba Fasalojo 6

Brayden Olson 23

Dante’ Bell 2

Rockford East E-Rabs 5-4 Overall 3-2 NIC 10 Conference

Scorers

MiKwan Marshall 10

Sterling Hoarde 6

Marquis Goldsmith 22

Johntarion Leach 10

Brian Harper 3

 Thank You to Coach Tom Schmidt and senior Brayden Olson for their time while speaking with me postgame.