FIELDSTON, NEW YORK – Friday night, the Eagles took to their home court against the Lions of Horace Mann in front of a crowded varsity gym for Fieldston’s annual Winterfest celebration. The Eagles jumped out to a 10-2 lead immediately, with all ten points from forward Lincoln Steinkamp (Form V). A brief push from Horace Mann late in the second quarter cut Fieldston’s lead to 18-15, but the Eagles then went on a 9-2 run to go into halftime up 27-17.
After a halftime presentation that honored Fieldston’s 1986 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Championship Team and its coach, John Dwinell, the second half saw Fieldston continue to pull further ahead, showing no signs of slowing down. The Eagles began the half on a 15-4 run, increasing their lead to 42-21 before Horace Mann scored a quick five points to kill the momentum. But that was as close as the Lions came, as they continued to shoot incredibly poorly: Horace Mann finished just 14/46 (30.4%) from the floor and 4/21 (19.0%) from three. The Eagles closed out the third quarter with a contested offensive rebound and putback score from forward Cooper King (Form III) followed by a block from forward Sam Bienvenu (Form VI), leading 51-26.
Coach Dwinell managed to get each of his players minutes in an uncompetitive fourth quarter during which Horace Mann managed some baskets but remained absolutely helpless on defense. The Lions were helped out on offense by Fieldston’s constant foul trouble (five fouls from Steinkamp and three from each of Bienvenu, guard Carter Samuels (Form VI) and forward Kiki Gilbert (Form VI)), but they didn’t take advantage, shooting just 11/19 (57.9%) from the free throw line. Throughout the entire game, the Lions managed just one block and six steals while turning the ball over 19 times (seven in the third quarter) and fouling 15 times, eventually losing to Fieldston 73-41.
The Eagles shone on offense during all four quarters, led by heroics from Bienvenu and Steinkamp, who both scored 21 points to combine for 42 of Fieldston’s 73 points. Bienvenu’s night culminated with a steal and a thunderous breakaway dunk to put Fieldston up by 35 points, 67-32. The senior totaled 21 points, shooting 8/14 from the field (3/6 from three) and 2/3 from the line, and added six rebounds, an assist, four steals and a block.
Steinkamp had his minutes cut after fouling five times but still managed a strong offensive night. He scored 21 on 7/12 shooting (2/7 from three) and a perfect 5/5 from the line, and added four rebounds, an assist and two steals.
The Eagles improved to 11-3 with the win and extended their winning streak to five games; they next play at home against The Trevor Day School on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Lions fell to 6-8; their next game comes Saturday evening at Fieldston’s gym against The Browning School.
