Three wins an d a buzzer-beater loss for GHV

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys had one small stumble this week as they cruised to three wins and suffered one buzzer-beater loss.

GHV 69, North Iowa 45

The Cardinals opened the 2017-18 season with a big win on the road over North Iowa on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

“The first game is always exciting and unpredictable,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “The guys played aggressive, but there were moments when things got a little wild.”

The two teams were evenly matched in the first quarter.  The score was knotted 11-11 with two minutes left to go in the first quarter, before a three-point shot by Colton Schroeder got the score moving in favor of GHV.  The Cards managed a five point lead by the end of the first quarter, 16-11.

The Cardinals kept building on the lead in the second quarter, aided by a six-point run by James Betz to end the half with a 32-22 lead.

A strong fourth quarter saw GHV outscore the Bison by 11-points on the way to a 69-45 victory.

Three players scored in double figures for a balanced scoring attack.  Ryan Meyers led the way with 19 points.  He was a perfect two-for-two from the three-point line.  Betz scored 13 and Ray Cataldo added 11 points.  Jonah Albertson and Matthew Heinemann contributed nine and seven points respectively.

Betz had a double-double for the night, collecting 11 rebounds.  Meyers hauled in eight and Justin Reding grabbed seven to lead the team.  Both Betz and Meyers had three blocked shots apiece.

Betz led the team in assists and blocks, with five assists and three blocked shots.  Meyers had three assists and three blocks. Heinemann dished out three assists of his own.

“Nine players got solid minutes.  Ray Cataldo and Matthew Heinemann did a great job getting to the rim.  Colton Schroeder and Jonah Albertson did a great job grabbing rebounds,” said Albertson.

Forest City 42, GHV 40

The GHV gym was packed Friday night for what proved to be a battle of two teams favored to lead the NIC Conference this season.  The two teams didn’t disappoint in a game that could have gone either way.

“Forest City plays a lot of experienced players and has defended well in the past.  The game turned out to be a lot like last years’ games,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “The game was physical, and each team’s defense made it difficult to score.

The balanced scoring was

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evident early in the game, with the first quarter ending in an 8-8 draw.

The Cardinals managed a 17-11 lead in the second quarter, but back-to-back threes and a lay-up put the Indians up 19-17 heading into the half.

The third quarter saw the lead bounce back and forth between the two teams. A shot by Ryan Meyers at the end of the third put the Cardinals up by one-point, 28-27.

Nick Joynt turned it up to open the fourth quarter, sinking three baskets and giving the Cards a 34-29 lead.  Not to be outdone, Forest City closed the gap with their own hot shooting, 34-34.  The game remained close until the very end. Joynt connected on two free throws with :25 remaining in the game, 40-39.  With no time on the clock, Forest City tossed up a three-pointer and nailed it for the 42-40 victory.

“Lessons were learned and we go back the next day and work on getting better,” said Albertson.

Nick Joynt was a monster down the stretch, according to Albertson.  He ended the game with 18-points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Ryan Meyers ended the game with nine points, followed by James Betz with seven.  Connor Burke and Jonah Albertson each had three points.

Betz led under the boards with 10 rebounds.  Jared Graham hauled in seven rebounds and Meyers had five.

Graham led the team in assists with three.  Betz had three blocked shots and Meyers ended with two assists and two blocked shots.

GHV 60, Osage 43

Coming off a disappointing buzzer-beater Friday night, the Cardinals rebounded and defeated Osage on Saturday, Dec. 2.

GHV built a solid 21-9 lead by the end of the first quarter behind the hot hand of Nick Joynt, who had nine-points.  The Cardinals stretched the lead to 36-15 by halftime.

Joynt and Ryan Meyers lived in the paint in the first half, and James Betz took over that job in the second half,” said Coach Joe Albertson.

The third quarter was a little closer, with GHV scoring 17 points to Osage’s 15, 53-30.

Betz had seven points in the fourth quarter, which ended up being all the points scored for GHV in that period. The Cardinals went on to win, 60-43.

“Our defense forced turnovers, and did a better job guarding their better shooters.  Our offense did a good job pushing and possessing the ball.  Today, we got a little better.”

Betz and Joynt combined for 40-points, 20 apiece.  Meyers also reached double figures with 10 points.

Meyers and Betz led the team in rebounds with 13 and seven apiece.

Meyers also led the team in assists with five.  Joynt, Meyers and Colton Schroeder all had two steals apiece.  Betz had two blocked shots and Meyers and Connor Burke each had one block.

The boys are home Friday night, Dec. 8, when they host Belmond-Klemme.  Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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