PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Wildcats, Chargers to play for CC title

OKABENA — Putting 12 players in the scoring column and stringing together 15 consecutive points late in the first half Friday night, Southwestern United rolled to a 61-36 victory over Lincoln HI in the second semifinal game of the four-team Candy Cane Classic boys’ basketball tournament.

The Wildcats (1-3) will tangle with Westbrook-Walnut Grove (2-4) in the championship game today at approximately 5:30 p.m. The Chargers defeated Lakeview in overtime, 80-71, in Friday evening’s first semifinal game.

SWU’s Zach Schumacher tallied 16 points and blocked three shots to lead SWU’s balanced performance against the Rebels in the nightcap.

After scoring the game’s first nine points, the Wildcats vaulted from a 19-13 lead with 7:12 to play in the first half to a commanding 34-13 advantage by the 4:13 mark as Erik Jass (nine points) capped the run with two quick baskets — one from the perimeter and one on a coast-to-coast drive.

Andrew Kramer scored 11 points for SWU, while Mark Ferguson (three assists) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Brandon Thurk drew three charges to spark the Wildcats’ defense, while Justin Jass (three assists) came up with a trio of steals.

Aaron Fest and Matt Soto each claimed six rebounds for SWU, while Schumacher, Kramer, Kyle Wendland (two blocks) and Levi Taylor each had four rebounds for the Wildcats.

Jordan Beck paced the Rebels (0-5) with 10 points, while Andrew Behnke (nine), Jeff Gladis (seven) and Nate Pavek (seven) combined for 23 more points for Lincoln HI, which plays Lakeview in the third-place game at 4 p.m. today.

Lincoln HI 17 19 - 36

SWU 39 22 - 61

W-WG 80,

Lakeview 71, OT

OKABENA — After leading most of the game, Westbrook-Walnut Grove needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the right corner by Taylor Lindaman to send the Candy Cane Classic’s first semifinal contest into overtime.

The Chargers (2-4) took command in the extra four minutes, outscoring the Lakers (3-4) by a 15-6 margin to post the victory.

Shane Buchman worked for a game-high 26 points for the Chargers, while also claiming 10 rebounds for a double-double. Buchman was 9-of-10 at the free throw line.

Lindaman connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the game and finished with 20 points, while Alex Knutson had a stellar all-around night with 10 points, seven steals and six assists for W-WG.

Aaron Hass (eight points) and Andrew Merrick each had 10 rebounds for the Chargers, who shot 46 percent (6 of 13) on 3-pointers and 69 percent (34-of-49) from the free throw line, including a perfect 9-of-9 performance by Lindaman.

Derek Larsen sank a trio of 3-pointers and topped Lakeview’s scoring attack with 19 points. Spencer Larsen (16) and Jonah Dovre (12) also notched double figures for the Lakers, who earned a 65-62 edge before Lindaman’s shot knotted the score at the end of regulation.

Lakeview 24 41 6 - 71

W-WG 32 33 15 - 80

R-T-R 72, RRC 59

WABASSO — Despite 21 points from Jeff DeCock, the Red Rock Central Falcons fell to the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights in the championship game of the Wabasso Holiday Tournament Friday.

Trailing by just one at the half, the Falcons took a 40-39 lead halfway through the second. The game went back and forth until the Knights picked up some key threes in the last 3 minutes to pull away for the win.

DeCock also had six rebounds and six assists, while Henry Rogotzke picked up a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) and two blocks for the Falcons.

The Knights were led by Dylan Kor, who had 16 points to go along with 12 points from Newt Dunblazier, Brett Peterson and Brett Knudsen.

RRC (2-4) hosts the Adrian Dragons Jan. 4.

RRC 32 27 — 59

R-T-R 33 39 — 72

Sheldon 65,

Central Lyon 52

SHELDON, Iowa — The Sheldon Orab boys basketball team improved to 10-0 with a double-digit win over the Central Lyon Lions Friday.

The Orabs took a three point lead into the locker room at halftime, but came out scoring with a 13-4 run in the third to pull away from the Lions.

Dallas Ennema scored a game-high 26 points for the Orabs, while Nate Oostra was second with 17 points.

The Lions were led by Nic Lutmer who put up 23 points followed by Carter Roskam with nine points.

The Orabs (10-0, 8-0) will face Boyden-Hull in a girls/boys doubleheader on Jan. 4, while the Lions (4-5, 3-5) travel to Rock Valley on the fourth.

CL 14 13 10 15 — 52

Sheldon 17 13 24 11 — 65

Tags: southwestern united, westbrook-walnut grove, red rock central, central lyon, sports, prep, boys, basketball, sheldon, adrian