Coaching blowout games is always tough regardless of which side you are on. North Mahaska and Tri-County were on opposite sides of that equation Friday. North Mahaska scored 33 points to start the game and held Tri-County without a field goal for the first 11 minutes en route to a 78-16 victory. NM held a 50-point lead at halftime.
“These games are always tough,” said NM coach Seth Streebin. “We were able to get everyone in the game and they got some great playing time. Our defense was really good in the first quarter and gave us opportunities.”
Five North Mahaska players hit 11 shots beyond the arc in the contest including six in the second quarter by five different players.
“I told them to shoot threes in the second quarter but did not think they would hit as many as we did,” said Streebin.
NM led 33-0 after on period. Levi Molyneux hit a free throw with 7 minutes 30 seconds to play in the second quarter. The Trojans would not score again until Molyneux hit the first Trojan field goal at the 4:50 mark. NM led 42-3 at that point.
Gabe Hora led NM in scoring with 16 points. Ben Bunn came off the bench to begin the second half scoring eight in the third quarter. He finished the game with 13 points. Brayden Veiseth was the third player in double figures with 11.
Nolan Andersen scored eight. Nate Sampson and Asher DeBoef each scored seven, Jack Kelderman added six and Jacob Moore had five.
Unofficially, North Mahaska outrebounded the Trojans 24-17. Kelderman led the Warhawks with five.
Tri-County was led by Molyneux with seven and Sean McCullough scored six.
North Mahaska improves to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in South Iowa Cedar League play. Tri-County falls to 0-6 on the season.
North Mahaska will travel to Belle Plaine on Monday and close out the pre-holiday season at Sigourney Thursday.