Area Basketball Roundup

Titans Split First Two GamesThayer Central’s girls basketball team went 1-1 on the opening week as they ran away with a 52-19 win against Republic County on Nov. 30 and would run into offensive troubles against Hanover losing 41-60 on Dec. 1.In the first game Thayer Central was led by Jadyn Bowman with 15 points, three assists and came up with one steal and a block. Paige Tietjen would also reach double digits scoring 11 points and had eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block as well.On Friday against Hanover, Tietjen would lead the team with 10 points, and two assists with two steals.Starr Leads FHSThe Fairbury Jeffs could not find an offensive rhythm, losing 25-49 against Fillmore Central on Dec. 2.Finishing in the double digits for scoring was Blake Starr with 13 points. Starr would also have four rebounds, two steals and one block. Nearly reaching double digits was Brodie Prellwitz scoring eight points while grabbing five rebounds and with two assists.Leading the charge on the glass Drew Watson with seven rebounds, five being offensive, and scored four points.Lady Jeffs Go 2-0 To Start SeasonThe Fairbury Lady Jeffs defense came alive and secured the victory at home on Dec. 2 against Fillmore Central with the final score 59-48.Much of the Jeffs’ success could be found in the second quarter as they would hold their opponents to three points while Fairbury jumped ahead with a lead and never looked back scoring 21 points in the second quarter.By the end of the game, Fairbury would win the rebound battle 35-29, gain an edge in assists with 13-11 and just under double digits in steals with 9-3.Some great performances were done by Micah Friesen nearly having a double double as she scored 12 points, with nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. Evelyn Timmons dropped 13 points along with three steals, one assist and five rebounds.Izzy Ohlde made the most of her opportunities on the fast-break as she finished with eight points, two rebounds, four steals, one block and four assist.Come-From-Behind Win For GriffinsThe Diller-Odell Griffins completed a rousing comeback win, 46-43, against Pawnee City on Nov. 30 and then held on to a 50-44 win against Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer on the road on Dec. 1 to start the season 2-0.Leading the team on Nov. 30 with 19 points was Cooper Morgan. He also had five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block. Tj Vitosh bounced back offensively from an off opening night as he finished the game with a lucky 13 points and had six rebounds, four steals, one block and one assist.Though only having one point scored, Zach Warren provided plenty for D-O as he led the team with nine rebounds and five assists.Lady Wolverines Lose Heartbreaker Against HeartlandThe Wilber-Clatonia Lady Wolverines lost a close one, 25-28, against Heartland on Dec. 1.Though a strong start in the third outscoring their opponents 15-12, W-C would be held to one point in the fourth as Heartland scored eight. Hitting the road and looking for the first win on the season as Wilber-Clatonia will be facing Raymond Central on Thursday.Trio Of Wolverines Come Up BigThe Wilber-Clatonia Wolverines secured the first win of the season with a final score of 68-58 on Dec. 1 against Heartland. Led by the trio of Aiden Zajicek, Grant Kuhlmann and Carter Skelba scoring the in the double digits. Kuhlmann lead the charge with 24 points, on eight-of-11 shooting, and going a perfect six-for-six at the line. Kuhlmann grabbed five rebounds, had two assist and one block.Zajicek came up with 23 points inside the arch shooting 10-for-13 with two-point attempts, went three-for-four at the line and had three rebounds. Skelba had an even dozen points, three rebounds and three assists. Only coming away with two points, a force on the board was Carson Radcliff leading the team with eight rebounds, and got his hands on two steals. With a win under their belt and now 1-1. W-C will be looking for more of the same as they host Raymond Central on Thursday.Trojans Clamp Down On JCC In WinHolding strong was the Tri County Trojans defense in a 62-45 victory on Dec. 2 on the road against Johnson County Central.Though being outscored 9-14 in the first quarter, Tri County put a lid on the basket for the next two quarters holding their opponents to single digits. A 16-6 second quarter and a 11-3 third quarter built a big enough lead for an offensive shootout in the fourth with Tri County standing tall 26-22.JCC Edges Lady TrojansThe Tri County Lady Trojans fell short as they lost on the road 35-38 against Johnson County Central last week.Top efforts for Tri County were by Isabelle Peters having scored 12 points, snagged four rebounds, had one assist and two steals. Ella Clark contributed seven points, five rebounds and one block while Kenzi Scherling managed 11 points, one assist and three steals.Mustangs Pick Up WinThe Meridian Mustangs went 1-1 in the opening week of the 2023-2024 basketball season, winning 45-22 on Dec. 1 against Dorchester. While the next day on Dec. 2 Meridian at the half was only down three with a score 20-23. The Mustangs would run into second half offensive troubles only scoring 13 points to Nebraska Lutheran scoring 30 as the final score reached 33-57.Meridian will be looking to bounce back as they host Cross County on Friday, December 8th.Lady Mustangs Keep RollingAfter the volleyball team made an appearance at state, the Meridian Lady Mustang basketball team kept the winning ways rolling, going 2-0 in the first week of basketball.Winning at home against Dorchester Dec. 1 with a final score 49-34 and on the road 44-36 against Nebraska Lutheran on Dec. 2.The duo of Ana Dimas and Kaira Niederklein guided the offense through rough patches as each reached double digits in scoring. Dimas had 13 points, two rebounds, two steals and one block. Niederklein had 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Coming up with a team leading seven steals was Jaala Stewart. Stewart would also score four points, two assists and four rebounds.Meridian will be looking to carry this momentum into hosting Cross County on Friday.Raiders Looking For A WinThe Southern Lady Raiders were unable to get on track as they lost on the road Dec. 1 with a final score 6-47 against Palmyra.Raiders Shut Down PalmyraThe Southern Raiders turn up the defense in the second half as they won on the road 57-40 against Palmyra on Dec. 1.Southern jumped out with a great first quarter scoring 17-11, and then 16-14 in the second. During the second half the Raiders held their opponents to a total of 15 points with the third quarter going 10-6 and the fourth 14-9.

Jeanne Gerdes

Looking Back 12.6.23

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