Lynnville-Sully’s Van Dyke signs to play Northwestern basketball

SULLY — Kyle Van Dyke has been a force around the basket for four years for Lynnville-Sully’s basketball team. The 6-foot-5-inch post player helped guide the Hawks to one of the best seasons, 23-2, in the school’s history this season.

Van Dyke will continue his basketball career at the collegiate level next year after signing a letter of intent with Northwestern College in Orange City. Van Dyke made the commitment official Wednesday afternoon.

“I really like the program at Northwestern and the coaches are super nice,” Van Dyke said. “I like the faith values of the school, which is very important to me. The first time I visited the campus, I knew it was a good fit for me.”

Van Dyke said Northwestern’s head coach Kris Korver contacted Lynnville-Sully’s head coach Nick Harthoorn, who is a Northwestern alumnus, about Van Dyke. Korver completed his 15th year as head coach of the Red Raiders.

Van Dyke led the Hawks in scoring the past two years, finishing with 879 points in his four years at Lynnville-Sully. He scored 300 points as a junior and 328 in his senior season.

Van Dyke was named to the 2016 Class 1A All-Substate 5 team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association.

Van Dyke led the Lynnville-Sully Hawks to the Substate 5 championship game, losing 49-41 to Gladbrook-Reinbeck. Lynnville-Sully ended the season ranked No. 10 in Class 1A.

The two-time South Iowa Cedar League first-team selection has been the team’s leading rebounder and shot blocker for three years straight. Van Dyke had 62 blocked shots this season, which was ninth-best in Class 1A.

Van Dyke claimed 212 rebounds, pulling down an average of 8.5 rebounds a game as a senior. He finished with 698 rebounds in his four years. He blocked 50 or more shots for three straight years, finishing with 188 blocked shots for his career.

“My rebounding and shot blocking abilities are important skills, which I believe will help me do whatever they need me to do at Northwestern,” Van Dyke said.

In his senior season, Van Dyke shot 56 percent, 134-of-238, from the field and 67 percent, 60-of-89 from the field. Van Dyke ended his career with 83 steals and 57 assists.

“I’m excited about having this opportunity to play college basketball,” Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke said pre-physical therapy is his choice of a major at Northwestern. He is the son of Gerry and Jill Van Dyke of Lynnville.

Van Dyke said he believes his shot blocking ability will be an asset for him at the college level.

Though he played at the post position all four years for Lynnville-Sully, he said at Northwestern he would be more of a forward.

“I play outside and inside for them. I’m ready to do whatever they need me to do,” Van Dyke said.

Northwestern is a NAIA program and a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The Red Raiders were 14-14 overall in 2015-16 and 7-13 in GPAC play.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
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