It took just over five minutes for North Mahaska to reach its goal as they traveled to Twin Cedars Tuesday.
Senior Braden Steel was just eight points short of 1,000 points for a career. With 3 minutes 14 seconds left in the first quarter Steel hit the magic basket. He becomes the third player on this year’s squad to reach the pinnacle.
Steel’s effort helped the Warhawks to a 20-4 lead en route to an 89-45 victory. Only three players on North Mahaska’s roster failed to score in the game. Five hit double figures including two reserves. Senior Ethan Huffman was hot from the 3-point arc hitting four in the first half to lead all scorers in the game with 13. Junior Brayden Vieseth added 11 while seniors Lane Harmon, and Nash Smith along with junior Nolan Andersen each scored 10. Sophomore Asher DeBoef hit for seven.
Twin Cedars won the battle of the boards 28-22 but North Mahaska forced 21 turnovers while committing just nine. TC went 2-for-4 at the foul line as NM went 6-for-16.
Kail Arkema led Twin Cedars with 11 points and Holden Roberts had 10 points and five rebounds.
North Mahaska completes the regular season 17-4. They will begin postseason play Monday, Feb. 13 when they host GMG. Twin Cedars is 4-15 and will host Moulton-Udell, 0-20, on Friday at 7 p.m.