West Central boys split UIC games

 

In his first varsity appearance, West Central’s Joe Wolfe scored nine points, grabbed 11 boards, stole a trio of passes, and blocked two shots versus Oelwein. (Sharon Pape photo)

 

 

WC boys split UIC games

 

 

By Jerry Wadian
Sports Editor
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

West Central split a pair of boys’ basketball games last week and had a third postponed by the weather.

Tuesday, Jan. 7, two-time defending UIC champion MFL/MM was too much for the Devils, claiming a 64-48 win in Monona.

However, WC went up a couple of classes to beat Oelwein, 47-45, on the Huskies’ home court.

The Friday visit by Postville was postponed until   Monday, Feb. 3, because of the fog and ice that enveloped northeast Iowa.

Saturday’s victory was a big win over an archrival.

It was a close contest all the way. The Devils pulled out the win in the final 25 seconds. Ethan Steinbronn hit a free throw, his only point of the second half, for the final points for WC. Oelwein had one last chance, but a long 3-pointer went wide.

Joe Wolfe had a big night for the Blue Devils in his first varsity appearance. The junior scored nine points, grabbed 11 rebounds, stole three passes, and blocked a pair of shots.

Hud Johnston led WC with 13 points. The rest of the Devil scoring was very evenly distributed with James, Niemann, and Steinbronn each collecting nine points. Dustin Gordon added six points, and Chase Grimm hit a free throw.

Wolfe led the Devils on the glass with his 11 boards; Steinbronn had 10 boards and blocked five shots.

WC 10 10 13 14 47

O 11 9 9 16 45

WC (47)- Johnston, 13; Steinbronn, 9; Niemann, 9; Wolfe, 9; Squires, 9; Gordon, 6; Grimm. 3-pointers- Gordon. Rebounds- Wolfe, 11; Steinbronn, 10; Gordon, 7; Johnston, 7; Niemann, 4; Forsyth, Squires. Assists- Gordon, 2; Steinbronn, Johnston. Steals- Wolfe, 3; Gordon, 3; Niemann, Steinbronn. Blocks- Steinbronn, 5; Wolfe, 2.

MFL/MM showed why it is ranked in the top seven in Class 2A when it dominated the final quarter.

The Bulldogs led at the half, 38-28, but the Blue Devils fought back, outscoring their hosts, 12-7, in the third stanza.

However, MFL/MM was too tough over the final eight minutes, outclassing WC, 19-8.

The big difference in the game was 3-point shooting, as the Bulldogs hit five more treys than WC.

Steinbronn led all scorers with 22 points; he completed a double-double with 18 rebounds. Johnston made it a pair of double-doubles for WC with 13 points and 11 boards.

WC 15 13 12 8 48

MM 23 15 7 19 64

WC (48)- Steinbronn, 22; Johnston, 13; Gordon, 9; Niemann, 2; Forsyth, 2. 3-pointers- Gordon. Rebounds- Steinbronn, 18; Johnston, 11; Squires, 3; Gordon, 2; Niemann. Assists- Johnston, 3; Steinbronn, 2; Niemann. Steals- Grimm, Forsyth. Blocks- Steinbronn, 4.


 

 

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