March 28, 2024

Defense fuels Hawks’ big win over Tigerhawks

COLFAX — Lynnville-Sully’s boys did not allow Colfax-Mingo’s Tigerhawks to score in double digits in any quarter during Saturday afternoon’s South Iowa Cedar League West basketball game. The results were a lopsided 51-24 win for the visiting Hawks.

“The defensive effort was outstanding. We knew they were strong inside, and the guys worked hard to take it away,” Lynnville-Sully head coach Nick Harthoorn said. “The boys played smart offensively. We showed good patience and got good shots for the most part.”

The Hawks put their hosts behind quickly with a 16-6 first-quarter run. The Tigerhawks battled back in the second period scoring nine points, but the Hawks tossed in 11 to gain a 27-15 halftime lead.

Coming out of the break, Lynnville-Sully continued its pattern of strong defense. The Hawks outscored the Tigerhawks 13-6 in the third quarter and put the finishing touches on the win with an 11-3 scoring edge in the final eight minutes of play.

Sophomore Jesse Van Wyk had the hot hand for the Hawks, hitting 6-of-9 from behind the 3-point arc. Van Wyk finished with 25 points, and he had seven rebounds and two steals. Freshman Rylan James scored 10 points and pulled down six of the team’s 29 rebounds.

Lynnville-Sully shot 44 percent, 16-of-36, from the field and knocked down 13-of 16 free throw attempts. Colfax-Mingo was held to 26 percent shooting from the field, hitting 10-of-38. The Tigerhawks went 2-of-7 from the line.

Senior post player Kyle Van Dyke tossed in eight points for the Hawks. Senior guard Sage Ehresman dished out five assists, stole the ball three times and scored six points. Junior Tyler Van Zante had two points and three assists.

Senior Jacob Leitz was the top scorer for the Tigerhawks with 10 points, and he had two assists. Seniors Jared Myers and Colin Lourens added five points and four points, respectively. Lourens pulled down five rebounds.

Scoring two points each for Colfax-Mingo were seniors Blake Summy and Sean Borts. Sophomore Jarod Nichols added one point.

Lynnville-Sully improved to 14-1 in SICL play with one conference game remaining. The Hawks (18-1) play at HLV Tuesday to conclude their regular season, and then host a SICL crossover game against SICL East champion Keota Friday for the conference title.

Colfax-Mingo ended its first season in SICL action at 10-6 and play at home Friday in a SICL crossover game against Sigourney of the SICL East. The Tigerhawks (11-7) have two non-conference games this week, going to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Monday and to Pleasantville Thursday.

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