Fast starts are to North Mahaska coach Kevin Kelderman’s liking. It was needed Tuesday to hold off the Sigourney Savages to keep their South Iowa Cedar League record perfect. The Warhawks jumped out to a 20-7 lead then saw Sigourney outscore them 53-47 over the next three periods but NM hung on for a 67-60 victory.
“That big start was key,” said Kelderman. “Give them credit they stayed on us after that first quarter. We have better nights when we get out to a fast start.”
The Warhawks used a barrage of 3-pointers in the game hitting 12, three of them in the first three minutes. Another seven points came inside the paint by Adrian Smith and Trenton DeBruin. Sigourney hit two field goals and four free throws in the opening period. The Savages outscored NM in the second period 23-18 to close the gap to eight points by halftime 38-30.
RD Keep/ North Mahaska Communications
North Mahaska senior Adrian Smith puts a shot up over Sigourney’s Solon Yates in the first half of their South Iowa Cedar League game. Smith scored 16 points and Yates had 15 as North Mahaska won 67-60.
The second half challenge for Sigourney was who to guard. All five Warhawk starters hit treys. Three Warhawks finished in double figures, but it was a challenge for North Mahaska to control the Savage’s Isaac Bruns, who scored 24. Teammate Solon Yates added 15 and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
“We play well when we share the ball,” said Kelderman. “It’s the little things, going after a rebound or loose ball, blocking out or just touching a ball, that matters. At the end Jack (Kelderman) got the ball and instead of putting up a shot pulled it back out. That is court smarts.”
Gabe Hora led North Mahaska with 19 points, 12 coming off 3-pointers. He also led the NM rebounding with six. Asher DeBoef and Adrian Smith each scored 16 points with five rebounds.
North Mahaska (9-1, 7-0) will head to Iowa Valley Friday for another SICL contest.