March 28, 2024

Lynnville-Sully boys run their win streak to 11

Lynnville-Sully’s boys sank nine free throws in overtime Saturday to thwart an attempt by host Albia to upend the Hawks. The Hawks outscored the Blue Demons 9-3 in the extra period to win the non-conference game 63-57.

Lynnville-Sully has won 11 straight basketball games on its way to a 15-1 overall mark. The Hawks won back-to-back over the weekend after defeating South Iowa Cedar League West foe North Mahaska, 64-42, at home in Sully.

In Saturday’s contest at Albia, it was a battle between the Class 1A Hawks and Class 2A Blue Demons from the opening tip. The teams were tied at 12-all in the first quarter, and Albia had a 20-19 lead at halftime.

Lynnville-Sully outscored Albia 17-13 in the third quarter with Canyon Kuhlmann hitting a 3-pointer to give the Hawks a 36-33 lead to wrap up an 11-2 run. It was a back-and-forth fourth quarter. The Blue Demons forged a 54-54 tie on a three-point play by Cade Crall, forcing overtime.

The Hawks claimed the win at the free-throw line, netting nine on a 9-0 surge in overtime. Lynnville-Sully’s defense held Albia scoreless until a 3-pointer went in with less than two seconds remaining to play. Lynnville-Sully was 18-of-27 at the line while Albia hit 17-of-29 attempts.

“It was a hard fought game. The guys really dug down deep,” Lynnville-Sully head coach Nick Harthoorn said. “It was neat to see different guys step up and make plays when we needed them. I was pleased with the way our guys kept their composure and kept fighting.”

Kyle Van Dyke delivered inside and at the foul line, cashing in on 11-of-17 free throw tosses. Van Dyke finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and six blocked shots. Jesse Van Wyk, who was 3-of-4 at the line, had nine points, 16 rebounds, two steals, five assists and five blocked shots.

Tyler Van Zante had four free throws in his nine points and made two steals. Kuhlmann hit two 3-pointers and had eight points. John Triettin drained two threes for his six points. Rylan James had six points and Sage Ehresman scored two.

The Hawks shot 41 percent, 20-of-49, from the field. The Blue Demons were limited to 28 percent shooting from the field, 16-of-57. Lynnville-Sully had a 40-31 edge in rebounding.

Crall finished with 19 points for Albia followed by Blake Bayer with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Lee Curran with 15 points. Crall and Curran each had three 3-pointers and Bayer hit two threes.

At home Friday, the Hawks improved to 11-1 in SICL play with the win over North Mahaska. They had three players score in double digits in the game. They staked out a 29-15 halftime lead and never looked back.

“We were pretty solid defensively in the first half. I thought the guys did a good job sharing the basketball again. We got a lot of touches inside and that helped us break down their defense,” Harthoorn said.

Van Dyke had a game-high 14 points for the Hawks. James chipped in with 12 points and Ehresman added 11. Van Zante dished out six assists and made four steals. Van Wyk had seven rebounds and four steals. Both Van Zante and Van Wyk scored five points.

Trettin scored nine points and Kuhlmann had seven. Ryan Hofer had one point. The Hawks shot 46 percent, 27-of-59, front the field and went 7-of-10 at the foul line.

North Mahaska was led by Milan DeJong with 13 points. North Mahaska shot 35 percent, 14-of-40, from the field and sank 9-of-20 free throw attempts.

Lynnville-Sully (15-1) is idle until Friday when Class 1A seventh-ranked Montezuma (15-0/13-0 SICL) comes to Sully. The Hawks have not lost a game since losing 60-52 at Montezuma on Dec. 11.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com