L-S boys overcome slow start, down Belle Plaine

BELLE PLAINE — Corder Noun Harder scored a season high for points and the Lynnville-Sully boys’ basketball team dominated on the glass during a 49-35 road win over Belle Plaine on Thursday.

The Class 1A No. 7 Hawks trailed by three after one quarter but turned the tables with significant advantages in the second and third during the South Iowa Cedar League contest.

“It was a physical game. We competed hard on the defensive end,” L-S head boys’ basketball coach Nick Harthoorn said. “Our defense kept us in the game when we were struggling to find a rhythm offensively. In the second half, we did a better job moving the ball, which helped us get some better shots.”

Belle Plaine led 14-11 after one, but L-S won the second 11-4 and turned away the Plainsmen 11-3 in the third.

Noun Harder scored a season-high 16 points and grabbed four rebounds to lead the Hawks, who have won 13 straight games.

Mitchell Miller finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals, Dawson James registered eight points, six boards and two assists and Klayton Van Dyke collected five points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Lucas Sieck added three points, two rebounds, five assists and four steals, Carson Maston pitched in six points, three boards and two assists and Keegan DeWitt grabbed three rebounds.

The Hawks (19-1, 15-1 in the SICL) shot 39.5 percent from the floor, made 3-of-14 from 3-point range and connected on 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. L-S out-rebounded Belle Plaine 34-23 and turned the ball over 11 times.

Riley Simmons led everyone with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, but the hosts shot 26 percent from the floor and connected on 2-of-15 from 3. The Plainsmen (13-6, 11-4) buried 11-of-15 from the foul line.