February 26, 2008

By Chantel Niemeier

Things started out slow for the Mustangs. In the first period, junior guard Levi Jenkins put up a three, while Luke Roepke, junior post, contributed four points. The Eagles sank eleven shots, so the score was 11-7 at the end of the first quarter, Clifton-Clyde ahead.

Jenkins stated, "In the first quarter we let the Eagles get around us more than we should have. Going into the second quarter we knew as a team we had to pick things up and defend Clifton-Clyde."

Picking up momentum rapidly, Valley Heights was able to make a comeback in the second period. Jenkins put up another three and made two free-throws. Junior post Bryce Hedke sank two points, while Chase Blackburn, sophomore post, contributed a three-pointer. This put the Mustangs with ten points for the second quarter. Clifton-Clyde was able to answer back with seven points, making the score at the end of the first half 18-17, with the Eagles in the lead by only one.

"The first quarter was our slowest offensively, but we picked it up in the second quarter and made a statement that we wanted to win. We knew we had to get to the basket and make our shots if we wanted the victory against the Eagles," explained Blackburn.

In the third quarter the Mustangs were able to maintain their momentum from the second period and added 14 points total to the scoreboard. Jenkins contributed eight points, four of them from the free-throw line, and Roepke added six. Wanting to maintain the lead, the Eagles fought hard, but couldn’t out-shoot the Mustangs. With Clifton-Clyde scoring a total of 13 points, the Mustangs and the Eagles were tied up at the end of the third period, the score 31-31.

Roepke stated, "We were glad we tied up with the Eagles at the end of the third quarter, but now we knew we had to focus on making our shots and attacking the basket as much as possible. We had to communicate on the court and step up our intensity."

With both teams fighting for a win, Valley Heights stepped up their game in the fourth period and fought hard against the Eagles, making 17 points altogether. Clifton-Clyde contributed many fouls against the Mustangs, making the boys’ able to take the lead. Sophomore guard Garrett Andersen sank four shots, Hedke added a total of seven points to the scoreboard. Blackburn made a three-pointer, and contributed another three points from the free-throw line. Clifton-Clyde was only able to answer back with ten points total, making the final score of the game 48-41, with Valley Heights taking the win.

Head Coach Mike Koontz stated, "Thursday night the boys took what was given to them. When we were able, we attacked the basket."

"We’re going to keep working hard on defense and try to keep developing our offense," Koontz explained about preparing for sub-state. "We need to keep developing our offense so we can score."