Baxter basketball splits with Colo-NESCO

BAXTER — A strong second quarter and another double-double by senior Will Clapper helped Baxter’s boys’ basketball team get back on the winning track on Tuesday night.

The Bolts got 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks from Clapper as the Bolts downed Colo-NESCO 53-42 during a home Iowa Star Conference South Division game.

Baxter outscored the Royals 16-9 in the second quarter. The Bolts held a five-point advantage in the other three frames.

Clapper was 7-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. The Bolts were only 5-of-17 from the line as a team but shot 48 percent from the floor.

Junior Cole Damman had 13 points and dished out five assists for Baxter, which improved to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Junior Carter Nelsen chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Ian Thomson scored seven points and dished out three assists, senior Tyler Titus put in six points and sophomore Kael Johnston turned in four points and dished out four assists. Senior Brendyn Padget grabbed four boards.

Francis Bower led Colo-NESCO (0-7 overall, 0-5 in conference play) with a game-high 19 points. Jack McKinney put in 10.

Baxter plays at Don Bosco at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Gilbertville.

GIRLS

Colo-NESCO 66, Baxter 41

Senior Kaylin Van Ryswyk and sophomore McKenzie Eslinger each scored 12 points, but Baxter’s girls’ basketball team fell behind early and lost to Class 1A No. 11 Colo-NESCO, 66-41, at home on Tuesday.

The Bolts (1-7, 1-4) trailed the Royals (6-1. 5-0) 15-4 after one quarter. Colo-NESCO outscored Baxter 21-14 in the second and 23-10 in the fourth quarters. The Bolts won the third quarter 13-7.

Van Ryswyk also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for the Bolts, while Eslinger pulled down five boards. Senior Brenna Thomson scored a career-high eight points and junior Caitlyn Bruntz tallied five points, five assists and three steals.

Sophomore Sophie Meyer dished out three assists.