By Becky Walz,
Crestwood may have scored first and last, but it was what the Decorah boys’ basketball team (20-1) did in between that sent a message that the Vikes were the better team Monday night. The Vikings defeated the Cadets (8-14) at home, 76-60 in the Class 3A substate quarterfinal.
Crestwood may have scored first and last, but it was what the Decorah boys’ basketball team (20-1) did in between that sent a message that the Vikes were the better team Monday night. The Vikings defeated the Cadets (8-14) at home, 76-60 in the Class 3A substate quarterfinal.
With the win, the Vikings (20-1) have another rematch with a NEIC opponent tonight (Thursday, Feb. 24), as Charles City (13-9) advanced to the substate semifinal. The Comets defeated Iowa Falls-Alden in the quarterfinal 59-56 Tuesday night to keep their season alive.
The winner of Thursday’s substate semifinal will go on to the substate final Monday, Feb. 28, at Waterloo East at 7 p.m. Teams still competing in Class 3A Substate 2 are Clear Lake (16-5) and Waverly-Shell Rock (14-8).
Third contest
“We knew playing Crestwood a third time wasn’t going to be an easy task, so give Coach Sullivan a ton of credit as he coaches his kids up well. We were proud of our kids’ resiliency and poise. It will be another tough test playing Charles City a third time on Thursday, I’m sure they will be ready,” said Coach Jonathan Carlson.
In Decorah’s quarterfinal victory, the Cadets struck first and held the early lead before back-to-back baskets by Joe Bockman put Decorah on top 8-7 with 4:19 to play. Noah Storts connected on a free throw after a shot, then it was Trey McCain that kept the Vikes out front, 18-14, with a deuce, trey and pair of free throws to close out the first period.
The two NEIC squads went basket-for-basket early in second period. Decorah finally stretched its lead to 10 on a Carson Wemark trey at the 3:02 mark. Neither team found the bottom of the net in the final 1:42, leaving the Vikings with a 37-26 lead at the break.
McCain was back on track to start the third frame, scoring Decorah’s first seven points, while Crestwood mixed in some scoring of its own. The Vikings held strong going ahead 54-44 with eight minutes left.
With the lead strongly in hand, Decorah never allowed the Cadets to pull closer than eight points to start the final period, as the Vikes closed out the game for the win.
Wemark dropped in 17 points, with 11 rebounds and three assists. McCain also came through with 17 points, along with five rebounds and three assists. Joe Bockman provided 14 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Ben Bockman had seven rebounds.
What happened before
Decorah has faced Charles City twice during the regular season, besting the Comets, 68-36, at home in early January. In early February, the Vikings defeated Charles City, 80-58, on the road.
Crestwood 14 12 18 16 60
Decorah 18 19 17 22 76
Scoring – Carson Wemark 17; Trey McCain 17; Joe Bockman 14; Jacob Pipho 9; Noah Storts 9; Ben Bockman 8; Joe Hjelle 2
Rebounds – Wemark 11; B. Bockman 7; McCain 5; Storts 5; J. Bockman 3; Hjelle 2; Pipho 1; Assists – J. Bockman 5; Pipho 4; Wemark 3; McCain 3; B. Bockman 2; Steals – Wemark 1; Pipho 1; J. Bockman 1; Blocks – Wemark 1; Pipho 1; Storts 1
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