North Mahaska’s boys’ basketball team lost for the first time this season when they travelled to Monroe to take on Class 2A PCM. The Warhawks battled the host Mustangs but succumbed 51-48.
The game was physical, and NM rose to the challenge. Neither team held more than a six-point lead. Trenton DeBruin’s inside jumper with 2 minutes 36 seconds in the fourth quarter tied the contest at 42-42 for North Mahaska. PCM outscored the
Warhawks 9-6 limiting North Mahaska to 3-pointers by Gabe Hora and Jaxon VanDerVeer the rest of the way.
North Mahaska (4-1) led 14-10 after one period then saw PCM take the lead on a 12-5 spree in the second period to lead 22-19 at halftime.
“I thought we handled the physicality well,” said NM coach Kevin Kelderman. “We played a nice defensive ball game. Jaxon (VanDerVeer) stepped into the starting role and played well.”
VanDerVeer got the start with the absence of Jack Kelderman due to illness. VanDerVeer finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists. Asher DeBoef earned another double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Adrian Smith scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds with two blocked shots. Lucas Nunnikhoven and Hora each scored five points.
“Asher is Asher, and he goes hard to the end,” said Kelderman. “We had a good look at the end. We missed our screener, but we missed shots that normally fall. We’ll regroup and get ready for tomorrow.”
PCM had three players reach double figures in scoring led by Cutler VandeLune with 13. Gavin VanGorp and Alex Wendt each scored 10.
North Mahaska hosts Colfax-Mingo Tuesday and closes the first half of the season at Moravia Friday,