By Becky Walz,
It was a busy start to the week as the Turkey Valley boys’ basketball team (9-7, 7-5 UIC) played back-to-back nights facing Crestwood on the road Monday and recognizing its seniors Tuesday at home against West Central.
Stiff competition
While the Trojans played well Monday in Cresco, it wasn’t enough to bring home the win over Crestwood (11-5, 2-5 NEIC) as Turkey Valley fell to the Cadets, 87-59.
TV kept pace with Crestwood in the opening eight minutes, only trailing 18-16. However, the Cadets opened their advantage to 39-29 by halftime and put the Trojans in a deep hole in the third, outscoring the visitors 31-15. Both defenses were back in check in the final period, but it was not enough for the Trojans to overcome.
Coming off the bench, Caleb Kurtenbach was on fire on the floor with 22 points. Two other Trojans were in double figures including Calvin Bodensteiner with 13 points and five rebounds and Oliver Schmitt with 13 points and three boards. Noah Hanson contributed five points, five rebounds and 11 assists.
Turkey Valley 16 13 15 15 59
Crestwood 18 21 31 17 87
Scoring – Caleb Kurtenbach 22; Calvin Bodensteiner 13; Oliver Schmitt 13; Noah Hanson 5; Carson Busta 2; Chase Hayek 2; Logan Busta 2
Rebounds – Hayek 6; Hanson 5; Bodensteiner 5; Schmitt 3; Kurtenbach 2; C. Busta 1; Assists – Hanson 11; C. Busta 1; Schmitt 1; Hayek 1; Russell Nieman 1; Steals – Schmitt 2; Hayek 2; Kurtenbach 2; Bodensteiner 1; L. Busta 1; Nieman 1; Blocks – Bodensteiner 2; C. Busta 1
Seniors celebrated
After recognizing the senior players’ years of contribution to the basketball program, the Trojans hit the floor running Tuesday and bounced West Central (2-14, 0-12 UIC) back into the loss column with a 79-47 win.
The first quarter belonged to TV with an 18-15 lead that grew in the second period to 37-24. Keeping the second-chance looks for the Blue Devils limited, the Trojan advantage kept mounting in the third to 55-33 with eight minutes to play. TV drained 24 points in the final stanza to control their fate for the win.
Individual stats were unavailable at press time.
West Central 15 9 9 14 47
Turkey Valley 18 19 18 24 79
Upcoming contests
Turkey Valley will host Clayton Ridge in a make-up contest Saturday, Jan. 28, then welcomes Central Elkader to Jackson Junction Tuesday, Jan. 31.
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