Cardinals pound the Eagles, 74-23

by Michelle Watson

After suffering back-to-back losses last week, the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys were motivated for a win when they met Eagle Grove (0-6, 1-7) at home on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

“We came out and ran the floor extremely well, but it was our defense that allowed us to get out and score in transition,” said Coach Jake Young.

And score they did.  Team play and balanced scoring led to a huge 20-3 lead for the Cardinals in the first quarter.

Isaac Knutson came off the bench and put in some quality minutes in the second quarter, including back-to-back buckets that stretched GHV’s lead to 31-6.  The Cards stretched the lead to 39-13 by halftime.

Justin Reding was hot following the break, sinking a three and a field goal, 44-13.

The score stood at 56-20 when the bench took over at the top of the fourth quarter.  The defensive effort of the subs was also exemplary, as they held the Eagles to just three points, while they collected another 20 for the final, 74-23.

“We moved the ball much better than we had the last couple of games,” said Young.  That resulted in some quality looks from the three-point line and inside the paint.”

Eleven players scored in the game.  Reding led the way with 12-points, followed by Austin Bahensky with nine.  Landon Dalbeck, Holden Larson, Knutson and James Betz all ended with eight-points apiece.  Hayden Hutcheson had six points and Brody Boehnke and Zach Suby had five points each.  Rounding out the score was Jordan Upmeyer with three and Kevin Meyers contributed two-points.

The Cardinals capitalized on Eagle Grove’s turnovers, scoring 27-points off their miscues.

Reding also led the team in rebounds with nine, followed by Dalbeck and Betz with six apiece.  Larson hauled in five and Knutson had four.

Reding was all over the floor, leading the team in assists with four and in steals with five.  Suby also had a good night, with four assists and four steals.

Dalbeck had four blocked shots.