Cards top Algona

A long layoff and a lack of practice time may have slowed the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys basketball team down early in the game, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from capturing a 59-54 win over Algona (15-3) on Friday, Feb. 6.

The Cardinals trailed by one point at the end of the first quarter, 13-12.  Harley Forry and Payton James connected on three’s early in the second quarter to go up, 19-15.  A lob to Sam Cataldo and a basket with :06 seconds remaining, gave the Cardinals a four-point lead by halftime, 31-27.   

“The second quarter gave us momentum and the lead at half,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “I really liked how the guys took control in the third quarter and built a double-digit lead.”

GHV’s scoring picked up in the third quarter as they amassed a 13-point lead by the end of the third quarter, 46-33.

The Bulldogs hit some three’s of their own in the fourth quarter and got to within three points, 57-54, with :43 remaining in the game.  James connected on two free throws, 59-54.  Cataldo blocked a shot and Jonathan O’Connor was fouled with :08 remaining.  He missed both free throws, but redeemed himself with a blocked shot to end the game.

“The team did a great job switching out screens and handoffs and forcing contested shots.  There is more work to do to become a great team, but the boys are closing the gap,” said Albertson.

Cataldo had a stellar game for the Cardinals, hitting a double-double with 21-points and 10 rebounds.  He also recorded four blocked shots.

James was the second leading scorer, hitting 2/4 from the three-point line and tallying 10 total points to go with his seven rebounds.

O’Connor and Nick Joynt had eight points apiece and James Betz contributed five.

O’Connor led the team in assists with five.  He also collected four steals and had two blocked shots.

The win moved GHV to 12-2, 16-3.  The team starts District action on Monday, Feb. 15, when they host Eagle Grove in an 8 p.m. game.