The Golden Hawk boys basketball team rolled our to an early lead and dominated the North Cedar Knights all the way in a late game at Clarence, IA, January 4.
“We played extremely well when we finally got the game under way,” commented Mid-Prairie head basketball coach Don Showalter. “The power outage at Clarence delayed the girls and boys games so we did not get started until about 9:45.”
The boys followed the girls game after it was delayed for 90 minutes due to power outages.
“Christian Swartzentruber started us out with some three-point shots and has shot the ball well from that distance all season,” said Coach Showalter. “Of course, Michael Aldeman turned in an All-State performance with his stat line but more importantly was his defensive intensity during the game.”
The Golden Hawks got out to 14-7 first-quarter lead, and led 36-22 at halftime, as Swartzentruber nailed four of his three-pointers in the first half. Justin Hochstetler also had two threes in the first half and Robby Mostek added one. Aldeman continued the long-range barrage in the second half, netting four threes, and Swartznetruber added his fifth in the second half.
The Hawks held North Cedar to seven first-quarter points and eight third quarter points, leading 54-30 after three quarters on their way to the 76-49 final.
“I was pleased with our intensity level especially on defense and Jaemin Powell did a great job on North Cedar All-Stater Jordan Hay, making him work for every shot,” said Showalter. “We had great team defensive play as well as we controlled the boards 27-15.”
Hay managed 22 points to lead his team in scoring.
Senior center Dylan Hochstetler finally got onto court for the Golden Hawks after recovering from rotator cuff surgery in August.
“[He] played very well, handing out four assists and grabbing four rebounds,” noted Showalter. “Our inside rotation of Powell, Jordan Yotty, Hochstetler and Alex McKee-Crow allowed us to stay strong on the glass for the entire game.”
Besides 32 points from Aldeman and 15 from Swartzentruber, the Golden Hawks saw 10 points from senior Justin Hochstetler who was 4-5 from the field, snagged five rebounds and had three assists.
“I have been impressed with the play of Justin Hochstetler off the bench for us. He has been a major contributor for us all season and has fit in well after not playing last season,” said Showalter. “Ryan Harris also has given us some intensity and energy in his role as a sub.”
Senior starter Robby Mostek is quietly being a major contributor on the varsity court this season as well.
“Mostek may not get much recognition but he has steadily improved for us and has become a major contributor in our starting line-up,” said Showalter. “It was nice to get AJ Young, Myles Coppes, Joel Born and Tim Chmelar in the game last night as well as these players work hard and have improved.”
The North Cedar boys basketball team are 7-2 with losses to Mid-Prairie and Regina both Cedar Valley Conference rivals. They’re currently ranked sixth at the Iowa Sports Connection (www.iowasportsconnection.com), and tied for tenth by the Des Moines Register (www.desmoinesregister.com).
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