North Mahaska coach Seth Streebin knew his Warhawk boys were going to face a tall task to defeat a tall Grundy Center team. He found his team up to the task as they took down the Spartans 49-47 in nonconference play. The Spartans had six players on their roster taller than six-foot, but North Mahaska was not intimidated.
The game was close throughout with 16 lead changes and five ties. Grundy Center held the lead after the first two periods 19-16. The teams were tied at 30-30 entering the final frame. The teams traded blows with GC building a 3-point lead and NM gaining a 4-point advantage at midway point of the fourth quarter.
North Mahaska (2-1) was able to hit free throws down the stretch going 4-for-6 in the final two minutes.
RD Keep/North Mahaska Communications Photo
Grundy Center’s Tiernan Vokes (11) skies to try to block a shot by Asher DeBoef. DeBoef finished the game with 16 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists to lead North Mahaska to a 49-47 victory.
“It would be okay not to see a that tall,” said Streebin. “This was a total team effort. We didn’t let them get into what they wanted to do. They are a good team, tall and quick, but we were able to do what was needed.”
Senior Nate Sampson led all scorers with 16 points and junior Asher DeBoef added 11 to also finish in double figures. Both also pulled down six rebounds apiece. Sampson was credited with four steals and three assists and DeBoef had four assists. Junior Gabe Hora scored nine points and senior Brayden Veiseth chipped in six. Senior Ryan Andersen led in rebounds with seven.
Three Spartans scored nine points. Jalen Kirkpatrick, 6-foot-6 scored eight and pulled down 10 of Grundy Center’s 30 rebounds.
North Mahaska will travel to HLV Tuesday for South Iowa Cedar League play. The Warhawks will host Lynnville-Sully on Friday.