Winning streak continues for Cardinals

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys continued to roll, as they picked up two more wins, and maintained their perfect 8-0 Top of Iowa Conference record.

GHV 66, North Union 39

Strong shooting and forced turnovers helped the Cardinals to cruise to an easy 66-39 victory on the road at North Union (3-4, 4-6) on Friday, Jan. 6.

GHV held North Union to just seven points in the first quarter, 16-7.  More strong shooting prevailed in the second quarter for the Cardinals, as they headed to the locker room with a comfortable, 41-17 lead.

“We shot well in the first half, forced a lot of turnovers, and got on the glass,” said Coach Joe Albertson.

Chase Theobald and Holden Hutcheson both connected on three-point shots to go up 58-26 in the third quarter.  North Union sunk two field goals to end the third quarter, 58-30.

The bench took over in the fourth quarter and GHV ended the contest with a 66-39 victory.

“A lot of different players got into the scoring column,” said Albertson.  “We will need that kind of balance in the weeks to come.”

Four players scored in double figures for the Cards.  Nick Joynt and James Betz led the way with 14-points apiece.  Hutcheson and Ryan Meyers ended with 10-points each.

Joynt and Betz led the team under the boards with 10 and nine rebounds respectively.

Meyers led the team in steals with four.  Johnathan O’Connor led the team in assists with four.  Betz recorded three blocked shots.

GHV 69, Algona 57

The Cardinals hosted Algona on Saturday, Jan. 7, for one of their favorite match-ups of the year.

“Playing Algona is one of my favorites,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “They force us to play our best basketball, and if your not ready for it, they will make you pay.”

Luckily, the Cardinals were ready for the Bulldogs (4-6), as they picked up a 69-57 win.

Algona proved to be a tough opponent, and they picked up an early, 12-9, first quarter lead.

The Cards slowly started to gain momentum behind a 11-point unanswered run in the second quarter to take the lead, 22-17.  GHV had an eight point lead before Algona sunk a three-pointer just before the half, 28-23.

“We got a big boost from Chase Theobald in the second quarter.  He brought up the intensity on defense, causing some turnovers, and hit some shots,” said Albertson.

Theobald kept up the hard work in the third quarter, dumping in five points at the end of the third quarter to take a 49-41 lead.

The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter sinking two three-point baskets to pull to within two points, 54-52.  From there, the Cards went on an eight-point run and Holden Hutcheson sunk four free throws to end the game with the 69-57 victory.

“Holden was the star of the second half, scoring in the paint, from the arc and at the line,” said Albertson.

Hutcheson led the team with 17-points.  He was three-for-four from the three-point line and was perfect at the free throw line.  James Betz was right behind him with 16-points.  Johnathan O’Connor ended with 12 points and Theobald had nine points.

Betz and Nick Joynt led under the basket with nine rebounds apiece.  Logan Dalbeck grabbed five.

Ryan Meyers dished out eight assists to lead the team.  Joynt and Theobald each had three steals.

GHV hosts Forest City Friday night.