Of course Austin Peterson was happy.

Happy to score 36 points.

Happy to help Garfield move to 10-2 with an 84-63 win at Windham Jan. 14.

Happy to be complimented by legendary Bombers coach Marty Hill.

To truly understand what the moment meant, remember that the Garfield seniors dad, Terry, suited up for Hill and was a key member of the Windham team that made the Class A state semifinals in 1982.

A bunch of Windham guys would tell me my dad was a skilled player, Peterson said. I talked to Marty Hill a few times about my dad.

Tuesday marked Austins lone chance to play a varsity game at Marty Hill Court in the town where his father once starred.The Bombers and G-Men play once a year, alternating between Garrettsville and Windham, and an injury robbed Peterson of the chance to play at Marty Hill Court as a sophomore.

It feels good, Peterson said.Ive done a few open gyms out there because they invite me, so Ive had experience shooting on those hoops, but making those shots (in a game) feels good.

Given one last chance as a senior, Peterson took full advantage, scoring 19 points in the first quarter alone.

Everything felt good, Peterson said.Everything looked good.

For Terry, it was quite the scene.

I have a lot of friends over there and buddies that I played with over the years, Peterson said. Its a little bit weird, it is, but its always going back to the hometown. When you graduate and my son growing up and playing basketball and trying to teach him everything the right way and pass on what I learned and to see him do a great job, it was a feeling that a dad feels its always good when your son out-does you.

Peterson has served as an assistant coach with the G-Men for years, so hes been through many a Garfield-Windham game, but this one was different.His son versus his alma mater.For the first and only time.

Its always a special game because its going home, Peterson said. I like seeing Coach Hill and all the other coaches there. Ive known them for years. Its a great feeling.

SIMONS SIZZLES

It was three minutes into the second quarter and Waterloo, despite myriad missed layups, was already sitting on 31 points in 11 minutes against a very good Sebring McKinley team Jan. 14.

Then, Luke Simons buried a 3-pointer from well behind the arc.

A minute later, the Vikings sophomore sprinted across the paint, caught a pass and quickly flicked a reverse layup through twine as he rocketed away from the basket.

Hes for sure one of the guys that comes off the bench that we dont worry about offensively, Waterloo coach Jason Wise said.We know he can make shots and hes crafty. He can get to the rim and flip shots in from different angles and hes not very big, but hes not afraid of the moment either.

Twenty seconds later, Simons caught the ball in transition and sent a bounce pass behind him to Caleb Francis.Early in the fourth quarter, Francis and Simons passed the ball back and forth across the court, from well behind the 3-point line, until Simons ripped his second deep 3-pointer of the night.

Hes not afraid to shoot, thats for sure, Vikings senior forward Max Adelman said. He can pretty much do whatever. Hes one of our best shooters, even though he plays a quarter in JV. Everyone trusts him with the ball. Coming off the bench, he brings a lot of energy to us.

If Simons is going to shoot and score like that, the Vikings become that much more dangerous.

Defenses already have to double down in the paint where the 6-6 Adelman and the 6-8 Vaughn Dorsey roam.Adelman and Dorsey draw defenders, providing room to operate up top, where Francis and junior guard Kyle Shockley are dangerous shooters and two of the areas better guards.Joe Ward is another proven scorer in the starting lineup.Add another scorer like Simons and what can Waterloos opponents do?

The Vikings knew Simons would eventually be a big-time scorer after he averaged more than 20 points per game in junior high. He even earned a varsity uniform toward the end of his freshman campaign.

Towards the end of the year, we knew he could play, Wise said. He probably couldve been on the floor for us, but there really wasnt a need to force him into that situation as a freshman.

Going into his sophomore season, Simons was on the verge.

Going into the summer we thought he could be a guy that came off the bench and gave us points, which hes done multiple times this year, Wise said.After the first scrimmage, I looked at our coaches and Im like, Uh, he looks scared, Im not sure if hes ready,' and then he just gets better every single day.

As shown against the Trojans.

Hes had multiple games now in double digits, Wise said.Were not afraid to put him on the floor.

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BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT | Austin Peterson has a night to remember in Windham - Record-Courier