The 2024 statebound Hawks are: Front row from left, coach Joel Harthoorn, Dawson James, Lucas Sieck, Keegan DeWitt, Klayton Van Dyke, Corder Noun Harder, Mitchell Miller, Connor Deal, Trace Carlson, Ethan Dunsbergen, Michael Spooner, coach Kurt Harthoorn. Back, head coach Nick Harthoorn, Carson Maston, Cameyon James, Kellan Hill, Jack Bowlin, Hendrick Lowry, Sawyer Veldhuizen, and coach Kevin Van Maanen.
L-S returns to Class 1A State Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2018
Lynnville-Sully’s boys basketball team punched its ticket to Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A State Basketball Tournament Saturday, Feb. 24, by defeating the Bedford Bulldogs, 64-50. Next up, the fifth-seeded Hawks will face fourth-seeded Winfield-Mt. Union in the state quarterfinals on Monday, Mar. 4, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Tip off is 12:15 p.m.
The third time is a charm for Lynnville-Sully’s boys basketball team who punched its ticket to the Class 1A State Basketball Tourna-ment after winning Saturday night in a substate game that has tripped them up the past two years.
ACGC
Before the substate game, the Hawks had another goal in mind – beat ACGC for the district championship on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Lincoln High School. Lynnville-Sully went into the game with a chip on its shoulder, given ACGC knocked the Hawks out of the state football playoffs in late October.
The Hawks got off to a slow start and didn’t put a point on the board until three minutes into the game. ACGC’s lanky athletes were tipping passes and making offense difficult with their extended 2-3 zone defense. L-S didn’t register a lead until late in the first quarter, but it was one it would not relinquish.
“We got off to a slow start, but found a little rhythm late in the first quarter and into the second quarter. Defensively, we kept competing all night. We did a solid job on the boards as well. Those are both big keys for this team,” said head coach Nick Harthoorn.
The Hawks found success when they started attacking the 2-3 zone and finding the paint for good looks at the basket. Stout L-S defense and ACGC’s leading scorer going to the bench early with foul trouble helped the Hawks take a 29-20 lead at the half and a 42-36 advantage after the end of the third quarter. ACGC would pull within four points in the fourth, but the Hawks persevered. L-S went 10-for-17 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter alone during ACGC’s attempt at a comeback. The Hawks won, 60-46, to claim their third consecutive district championship and a trip to substate.
ACGC had no answer for Lynnville-Sully’s inside game, and senior Klayton Van Dyke made the most of it. He went 10-for-13 from the field to lead all scorers with 21 points. He also ripped down 11 boards for a double-double.
Senior Corder Noun Harder added 13 points, seven of those from the charity stripe. He also dished out seven assists.
Senior Mitchell Miller chipped in 11 points, sophomore Dawson James eight, junior Carson Maston four, senior Lucas Sieck two, and junior Hendrick Lowry one.
James pulled down seven rebounds and Miller and senior Keegan DeWitt each grabbed five. Miller and Maston handed out three and two assists, respectively. Five Hawks each stole the ball once – Noun Harder, Van Dyke, James, Maston, and DeWitt.
Bedford
The Hawks and their devoted fans made the long, two-hour drive to Southwestern Community College in Creston for the substate game against Bedford. Lynnville-Sully is no stranger to being at this point in the postseason – it saw seasons come to a heartbreaking close in this game for two consecutive years. However, third time was a charm on Saturday, Feb. 24, and the Hawks broke the cycle for the win and a ticket to the Class 1A State Basketball Tournament.
A slow start that has plagued L-S the previous two games was not an issue on Saturday. L-S hit an opening trey and continued to attack the hoop, jumping out to a 9-3 lead before Bedford called a timeout in an attempt to slow down the Hawks.
The timeout adjustment was just what Bedford needed, and the Bulldogs pulled within one point, 10-9, after the first eight minutes.
The second quarter belonged to the Bulldogs as they continued to chip away at the Hawks and took the lead at the four-minute mark. Bedford hit four consecutive three pointers late in the second quarter to extend their lead. The Hawks put together a comeback of their own, including a five-point swing off a three-pointer by Sieck with seconds ticking off followed by DeWitt stealing the ball on the inbounds play and quickly getting off a shot. Officials determined the shot was off before the buzzer sounded, and L-S went into halftime with a 26-25 lead.
L-S ramped up the defensive intensity in the second half and owned the third quarter. The Hawks outscored the Bulldogs, 16-8, and held Bedford scoreless for the last five minutes of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was a scoring barrage with L-S putting up 20 points compared to the Bulldogs’ 19. The Hawks came out on top, 64-50, and punched their ticket to the state tourney.
“Bedford got us on our heels late in the first quarter and into the second quarter,” said coach Harthoorn. “It was great to see our boys respond with tough defense and unselfish offense.”
Four Hawks scored in double digits. Sieck had a career night with 16 points. He went 4-for-6 in three pointers and led the team with six assists. Noun Harder was right behind with 15 points, making trips to the free-throw line count where he went 8-for-10. Van Dyke and James each added 11 points.
James hauled in seven rebounds, Van Dyke had five, and Noun Harder four. DeWitt had a team-high three steals, and Noun Harder and Van Dyke swiped away two each. Van Dyke blocked four Bulldog shots.
The Hawks’ trip to the state tournament is a first since the 2017-18 season. On Monday, Mar. 4, the fifth-seeded Hawks will match up with the fourth-seeded Wolves of Winfield-Mt. Union. Tip off is set for 12:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Tickets may be purchased online at www.hyveetix.com, click on the Iowa High School State Tournaments link, and follow the prompts, or at the door.
