Spirit Lake used a big run late in the third quarter to seize control of their Lakes Conference battle at Cherokee on Tuesday, breaking a tie game at half to win going away, 53-36. The Indians took advantage of 32 trips to the free throw line, connecting on 23 attempts, 16 more than the Braves even attempted. Three players reached double digits, led by Sawyer Harms’ game-high 21 points on eight made field goals. Paul Brown scored thirteen of his 15 points in the second half, and Wes Bergquist followed suit with eight of his eleven points after the half. Eric Wilkie and Jake Spindler each scored twelve points for Cherokee, which drops to 0-10 in conference and 3-13 overall. The Indians reach double digit wins at 10-5, and also surpassed last year’s conference win total with a 6-3 record. Next up is Western Christian on Friday in Spirit Lake, with coverage on KUOO.
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Nate Loenser.
Tuesday’s rematch between Emmetsburg and Spencer completely belonged to the visiting E-Hawks in a 61-22 route. Emmetsburg limited the Tigers to just seven second-half points. Matt Klemme registered eight points for Spencer. The Tigers have a 5-5 conference record and are 7-8 overall. They travel to LeMars on Friday. Jake Jackson, playing in his first game back after missing the previous seven due to illness, poured in a game-high 15 points. The E-Hawks improve to 7-7 on the season and 3-6 in the league, with a home game against Storm Lake coming up Friday on Y100.
Also in the Lakes Conference, Estherville-Lincoln Central fell at Storm Lake, 77-53. The Midgets are 2-8 in league games and host Cherokee on Friday. LeMars rallied from a small halftime deficit to stay unblemished in the conference, defeating Western Christian 62-58.
Sheldon and Okoboji exchanged blows for 32 minutes of Siouxland Conference boys basketball Tuesday night, however, the Orabs would land the final punches in taking a 56-51 road win in Milford. Keith Oskvig continued his hot play of late, burying four triples en route to a career-high 26 points. Dalton Syverson pitched in with thirteen points. Sheldon’s Trevor Johnson dropped in five from outside the arc, tying teammate Hunter McDonald for team-high honors with 17 points. The Orabs record shifts to 8-5 in the conference and 9-6 overall. The Pioneers remain stuck on one win overall and in league play. They will host Central Lyon for a conference game Friday on Q102.
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Ryan Paulsen.
The rest of the Siouxland slate saw Sibley-Ocheyedan take a setback against first-place MOC-Floyd Valley, 88-59. Boyden-Hull topped Sioux Center, 65-55. Rock Valley earned a narrow 71-69 decision over George-Little Rock. While West Lyon slipped past county rival Central Lyon, 51-50, sweeping the season series.
In the Cornbelt Conference, Ruthven-Ayshire/Graettinger-Terril was unable to defend their home floor in Ruthven, dropping a 43-34 ballgame to visiting Ventura. Clay Central-Everly took down North Sentral Kossuth/Armstrong-Ringsted, 60-47, in the Cornbelt. South O’Brien kept pace in the War Eagle standings, routing West Sioux, 72-27. Also, Sioux Central fell to Alta/Aurelia, 64-58.
North of the border, Jackson County Central narrowly fell at home to Marshall, 51-50. Fairmont also needed another basket, losing 57-56 to Mankato West. While Worthington registered an 86-68 decision over New Ulm.
