Lynnville-Sully boys blitz HLV/TC in season opener

VICTOR — Lynnville-Sully has been playing HLV in boys basketball since at least 2008.

The Hawks defeated the Warriors for an 11th straight time on Tuesday, and the 53-point margin was the largest since at least 2008.

Seven players scored at least seven points, and Lynnville-Sully’s boys basketball team used a fast start to dispatch HLV/TC 79-26 during South Iowa Cedar League action.

“The guys came out with great energy,” Lynnville-Sully head boys basketball coach Nick Harthoorn said. “We were able to create some turnovers early on in the game, which led to some easy baskets. It was great to see everyone get involved. Eighteen assists on opening night was fun to watch.”

The Hawks led 29-6 after one quarter and won the second half 29-8. They forced the Warriors into 19 turnovers and HLV/TC shot 19 percent from the floor in the loss.

Sawyer Veldhuizen led the Hawks (1-0, 1-0 in the conference) with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Cameyon James totaled a career-best 15 points and added three rebounds, two steals and two blocks off the bench.

Connor Deal made his first career varsity start and finished with a career-high 13 points and three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Will Van Vark collected 10 points, three assists and two steals, Trace Carlson registered a career-best eight points, two boards and two assists off the bench and Jack Bowlin posted seven points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Karson Van Maanen tallied seven points, four rebounds and four assists in his varsity debut, Michael Spooner grabbed five rebounds off the bench and Dawson James totaled two rebounds and two assists.

Lynnville-Sully shot 59 percent from the floor, made 8-of-19 from 3 and connected on 11-of-18 from the free-throw line. The Hawks swiped 15 steals and turned the ball over 14 times.

The Hawks, who are 32-3 in the series since 2008, out-rebounded HLV/TC 37-24. The Warriors (1-1, 0-1) got nine points and four rebounds from Sean McCullough.

HLV/TC shot 4-of-11 from 3 and buried 6-of-12 from the foul line.