GRAND RAPIDS – The Fruitport boys basketball team has been showing real spurts of promise all season, but on Friday the Trojans put together a complete four-quarter performance.

When it was over, they had an impressive 72-59 victory over a good Fowler squad at the Cornerstone University Holiday Showcase in Grand Rapids.

Fowler came into the game with a 6-1 record, but the Trojans were clearly not intimidated.

The game was close until early in the fourth quarter, when freshman Dexter Lillmars got hot and hit three triples in four possessions, putting Fruitport in control.

“We knew Fowler was a really good Division 4 team,” said Fruitport Coach Steve Erny. “We were ready for a battle. It was good to see us battle. It was huge for us to pull away in the second half, which hasn’t been a strength for us.”

DayDay Williams and freshman Dexter LIllmars each finished with 20 points for Fruitport, but the victory was a true team effort, with four players netting double figures.

Grade Anspach finished with 12 points while Hudson Hazekamp totaled 10.

“It was great,” Erny said about each player fulfilling his role in the victory. “Having different guys step up and have big moments was awesome. We all played well tonight, and it was a complete team effort. Even the guys who didn’t play filled their role and brought the energy on the bench.”

The win improves Fruitport to 5-2 on the season, headed into their O-K Silver conference opener next week at Comstock Park.

“It was just great,” Williams said about the team finding its stride. “We all really just played as a team. We’ve really gotten closer and tighter on the floor. Everybody contributed and the defense and energy were great. We seem to all be really figuring it out.”

Fruitport started strong from the jump, outscoring Fowler 16-9 in the opening eight minutes.

Four different players hit three-pointers for Fruitport in the first quarter while Lillmars had a pair of two-pointers.

Fowler fought back in the second quarter and closed Fruitport’s halftime lead to 30-26.

Williams and Lillmars each scored six points in the second quarter for the Trojans.

Fruitport outscored Fowler 17-15 in the third quarter and led 47-41 headed into the fourth. Anspach and Williams each had seven points in a strong third-quarter performance.

Fruitport held a 50-44 lead with just over 6:30 to play when Lillmars went on his three-point barrage, leaving the Trojans with a 58-49 lead.

“It always feels good to hit shots,” Lillmars said. “The key is to have confidence and keep shooting. Obviously, the ultimate goal is to win, so anytime I can help do that is great.”

Fruitport outscored Fowler 14-10 over the final five minutes to seal up the win.

While Fruitport won’t see game action for the next week, the Trojans definitely want to keep the momentum going after winning four of their last five games.

“We want to keep working on our chemistry and effort,” Coach Erny said. “This group really seems to have fun and enjoy each other. We don’t have many egos getting in the way. But it’s a long season, so we have to be consistent to have a good season.”