Baxter boys extend conference streak to 38 games

BAXTER — Treyton Travis averaged more than 21 points per game last season for the Baxter boys basketball team.

But through three games this season, Eli Dee is on an even better pace.

Dee opened the 2024-25 season with three straight 30-point games and his 36 points helped the Bolts to a 78-63 home win over North Tama during Iowa Star Conference South Division action on Friday.

The Bolts led 26-9 after one quarter and outscored the Redhawks 23-11 in the third. North Tama won the second 26-19 and outscored Baxter 17-10 in the fourth.

Baxter, who has won 38 straight conference games, overcame 18 turnovers because it shot 48 percent from the floor, made 11-of-19 from 3-point range and connected on 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Dee connected on 6-of-7 from long range and added seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. He’s averaging 34.7 points per game and is 10-of-22 from 3 through the first three games of the season.

Perrin Sulzle added 16 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and four blocks in a supporting role. He’s averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 boards per contest through three games.

Cainan Travis posted nine points, eight rebounds and four assists, reserve Maddux Tuhn registered six points, three rebounds and two assists and Dakota Parker pitched in six points and five boards off the bench. Stadan Vansice put in three points.

The Bolts (3-0, 2-0 in the conference) are now 13-3 against North Tama (2-1, 1-1) since 2017. Baxter has won seven straight and 11 of the past 12.

Baxter 94, Meskwaki Settlement School 16

MESKWAKI SETTLEMENT — Dee’s career-high 38 points led the Bolts to a 94-16 road win over Meskwaki Settlement School in the season opener on Tuesday.

Baxter led 40-2 after one and outscored the Warriors 28-7 in the second during the Iowa Star Conference South contest. It was the fourth straight 90-plus point effort for the Bolts against Meskwaki Settlement.

The Bolts shot 64 percent from the floor and turned the ball over only six times. They were 1-of-7 from 3 and 7-of-11 from the foul line.

Dee added four rebounds, five steals and two assists to his career-high 38 points. He was 16-of-24 from the floor.

Sulzle posted 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and five assists, Travis chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, four steals and six assists and Cael Wishman finished with 12 points and six rebounds off the bench in his varsity debut.

Tuhn collected nine points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists in his varsity debut off the bench, Vansice registered three rebounds, six assists and two steals and Colten Damman contributed four points, three rebounds and five assists off the bench in his varsity debut.

Reserve Hayden Burdess tallied four points and four rebounds in his debut, Parker grabbed four boards in his debut and Logan Rainsbager pulled down two rebounds.

Meskwaki Settlement (0-2, 0-2) got 11 points from Tenoch Snow and five points and eight rebounds from Jarvis Bear. The Warriors shot 17 percent from the floor and made 1-of-14 from 3.

Baxter is 8-6 against the Warriors since 2017 but has won six straight in the series.

Baxter 73, Belle Plaine 31

BAXTER — Dee scored 30, Sulzle posted another double-double and the Bolts started strong and cruised to the 73-31 non-conference home win over Belle Plaine on Thursday.

Baxter led 22-1 after one and scored 29 points in the second. The Bolts won the second half 22-11.

Dee finished with 30 points and five rebounds and Sulzle led the Bolts with 21 points, 14 rebounds and two steals.

Vansice collected four points, two assists and six steals, Travis registered seven points and three boards and Tuhn put in nine points. Rainsbarger finished with three steals and two rebounds.

Baxter shot 53.6 percent from the floor, made 6-of-9 from the foul line and turned the ball over 13 times.

Sam DeMeulenaere led the Plainsmen (1-2) with 16 points and Lane Vokoun added nine points and eight rebounds.

Belle Plaine turned the ball over 24 times and shot 36.7 percent from the floor.