GILMAN — The Schlarman boys basketball team had a back and forth battle to start the year on Friday.
The Hilltoppers battled Iroquois West throughout four quarters but could not get the win in a 45-44 defeat.
Jerrius Atkinson had 24 points to lead Schlarman, while Noah Fowler had nine points, Peyton Kuemmerle had seven and Miles Crosby added four points.
The Hilltoppers will face Armstrong-Potomac on Tuesday.
At Gilman
Iroquois West 45, Schlarman Academy 44
Schlarman (44) — Mark Lehmann 0 0-0 0, Princeton Rush 0 0-0 0, Jerrius Atkinson 12 0-6 24, Marc Villaester 0 0-0 0, Peyton Kuemmerle 3 0-0 7, Noah Fowler 4 0-0 9, Miles Crosby 1 1-2 4. Totals: 20 1-8 44.
Iroquois West (45) — Pheifer 1 1-7 3, Tammer 8 0-0 22, Andrade 0 1-2 1, Howe 2 2-4 6, Hendershott 4 1-4 9, Leonard 1 2-5 4. Totals: 16 7-22 45.
Schlarman;12;14;11;7;—; 44
Iroquois West;12;10;10;13 ;— ;45
3-point field goals — Schlarman 3 (Kuemmerle, Fowler, Crosby); Iroquois West 6 (Tammer 6). Total fouls — Schlarman 20, Iroquois West 12. Fouled out — Andrade. Technical fouls — none.