KEOKUK - The Fort Madison girls lost their first game of the year Friday night in Keokuk, so it's only fitting that the boys would turn it around and get their first win of the year.
That came in a 44-38 win in a low-scoring Southeast Conference matchup in Keokuk.
Leif Boeding took over the Hounds' offense in the fourth quarter after Fort Madison managed just four points and committed six turnovers in the third.
Boeding was able to beat his defender to the baseline and score eight points in the final period, including five consecutive with about five minutes left in the game to give Fort Madison a 34-27 lead.
Head Coach Ryan Wilson said the Hounds needed that strong fourth after the poor performance out of halftime.
"I don't how much worse we could've played in the third. We had six turnovers in the quarter and we had just talked at halftime about building on our first lead of the game," he said.
Dayton Lamar scored his only bucket of the night at a crucial time, giving the Hounds a 29-27 lead after the two teams had exchanged leads four times heading into the fourth period.
Wilson also credited senior Aidan Boyer for his leadership on the floor.
"He was calling out defenses and being a leader, and we've been expecting that out of our seniors," Wilson said.
Boeding also converted a 3-point play with 5:09 left in the game to give Fort Madison a seven-point lead at 37-30. Keokuk sophomore Brenton Hoard, who suffered the worse case of in-and-out shots ever in the Chiefs' gym, finally got a 3-ball to fall to cut the lead to four 37-33 with 3:31 left.
"Boeding did a great job hitting the baseline and getting to the basket. Hopefully the guys will see that and see there's more opportunity for that," Wilson said.
Fort Madison would hold a six to seven-point lead the rest of the way to seal the win.
Former Bloodhound Caleb Cresswell has joined the coaching staff for the Hounds and Wilson said he's been talking to the team about staying in games.
"Coach Cresswell has talked about weathering the storm. It's been a big thing he's brought to our team this year."
Wilson said aside from the third period, the Hounds did a good job taking care of the ball, but they still have work to do in the half court.
"We took care of the ball, with roughly 12 turnovers, four in the first half. We just have to clean some things up and get better against the zone because we're going to see it," he said.
"Is it the interior offense we want? No, but teams are trying to take that away from us because they know we can score there."
Boeding finished with 13 and Hunter Cresswell had 12 for the Bloodhounds (1-4, 1-2).
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