December 15, 2024

Van Gorp, Wagaman lead PCM boys to comeback win over Perry

Pella Christian wins board battle in win over Mustangs

By Troy Hyde
Chase Wagaman

PCM junior Chase Wagaman (14) puts up a shot in the lane against Perry on Tuesday. Wagaman's first career double-double included 14 points and 15 rebounds and that helped lead the Mustangs rally past the Bluejays. (Photo by Jamie Steenhoek)

PERRY — Gavin Van Gorp equaled a career high for points, Chase Wagaman posted his first career double-double and the Mustangs rallied from an early hole to down Perry on Tuesday.

The Mustangs trailed by 10 at halftime, but a dominant second half pushed PCM to a 73-58 road win during Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play.

“The guys were able to lock in and adjust in the second half,” PCM head boys basketball coach Tony Ford said.

It was PCM’s fourth straight win over Perry, and the Mustangs are 6-1 against the Bluejays since 2021.

Perry led 19-18 after one quarter and took a 38-28 lead into halftime. But the Mustangs won the third 17-8 and dominated the fourth 28-12 to win by double digits.

Gavin Van Gorp

PCM senior Gavin Van Gorp (1) put in a career-best 29 points against Perry on Tuesday. The Mustangs rallied past the Bluejays in Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play. (Photo by Jamie Steenhoek)

Van Gorp finished with a career-high 29 points and grabbed six rebounds and Wagaman collected a career-high 14 points, a career-best 15 rebounds and three assists.

Cutler VandeLune also reached double figures with 15 points and he had two boards. Kaleb DeVries posted four rebounds, six assists and two steals, Kash Fischer collected five points and two rebounds and Alex Wendt pitched in four points, three boards and two assists.

Gavin Steenhoek grabbed two rebounds and the Mustangs shot 51 percent from the floor. PCM made 10-of-23 from 3-point range, connected on 9-of-12 from the free-throw line and out-rebounded Perry 35-26. PCM committed 16 turnovers.

Perry was led by Owen Myers, who finished with 18 points, four rebounds and three steals. Geren Kenney added 14 points, four rebounds and five assists and Gustavo Drahos scored 13 points.

The Bluejays (3-1, 2-1) shot 39.6 percent from the floor, made 5-of-17 from 3 and connected on 11-of-14 from the foul line. Perry turned the ball over 13 times.

Pella Christian 62, PCM 57

PELLA — Five players scored at least eight points and the Mustangs only turned the ball over nine times, but PCM couldn’t quite get over the hump against Pella Christian on Monday.

The Mustangs trailed by four after one and were outscored by four in the final frame during a 62-57 non-conference road loss. PCM won the two middle quarters 32-29.

“We couldn’t overcome Pella Christian winning the boards, but we were right there,” Ford said. “I’m really happy with how we are getting better every game.”

Kaleb DeVries

PCM senior Kaleb DeVries scores two points in the lane against Perry on Tuesday. He scored 11 points to lead the Mustangs in a loss against Pella Christian on Monday. (Photo by Jamie Steenhoek)

DeVries led the Mustangs 11 points, five rebounds and five assists and VandeLune added 11 points and two rebounds.

Fischer contributed nine points, nine rebounds, two steals and two assists, Wendt tallied eight points and nine rebounds and Van Gorp finished with eight points, four boards and two assists.

Wagaman registered five points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, Jake Winters tallied two rebounds, two assists and two steals, Pete Kiernan scored three points and Steenhoek pulled down two boards.

The Mustangs shot 34 percent from the floor, made 7-of-29 from 3 and connected on 8-of-15 from the foul line.

Landon Fransman led the Eagles (3-0) with 11 points and 15 rebounds and Gilbert Flagel contributed 14 points and seven boards.

Pella Christian sunk half of its shots from the floor but was only 2-of-15 from 3 and 6-of-21 from the foul line. The Eagles out-rebounded the Mustangs 44-39 and turned the ball over 19 times.