Decorah’s Zachary Driscoll (center) dives into the lane for a rebound with teammates Cael LaFrentz (left) and Carter Dlhy. (Photo courtesy of Nate Troy/Cresco Times Plain Dealer)
The Class 3A No. 3 Decorah boys basketball team (11-1, 5-0 NEIC) got a big NEIC win Friday before suffering its first defeat of the season Saturday and then getting back on track Monday with a victory at the Martin Luther King Classic.
MLK Classic
Taking a slim lead in the first period, the Vikings kept their feet on the gas and ran away with a 77-63 win over Sergeant Bluff-Luton (6-6) as part of the Martin Luther King Classic in Council Bluffs Monday.
Decorah gained a 20-19 advantage following the first eight minutes of play and got slightly more breathing room in the second to carry a 28-25 lead into the locker room. A 25-point third frame opened the game up to the Vikings who were on top 63-48 with eight minutes remaining.
In double-double mode was Cael LaFrentz with 33 points and 13 rebounds. Zachary Driscoll also had a hot hand with 23 points to go with eight assists, while Gavin Groux put up nine points with Carter Dlhy and Noah Milburn pulled down five boards apiece.
Decorah 20 18 25 14 77
SB-Luton 19 16 13 15 63
Scoring – Cael LaFrentz 33; Zachary Driscoll 23; Gavin Groux 9; Noah Milburn 6; Peyton Webb 3; Trevor Kuennen 2; Keaton Nalean-Carlson 1
Rebounds – LaFrentz 13; Carter Dlhy 5; Milburn 5; Kuennen 4; Driscoll 3; Tanner Caddell 3; Louie Bucksa 1; Nalean-Carlson 1; Assists – Driscoll 8; Milburn 4; Dlhy 2; Kuennen 2; Groux 1; Bucksa 1; Caddell 1; Steals – Kuennen 2; Driscoll 1; Groux 1; Webb 1; Milburn 1; Blocks – Dlhy 1
First loss
A dip in the scoring during the third quarter proved costly for the Vikings Saturday as Cedar Rapids Prairie (9-3) came to Decorah and left with an 80-75 victory in a close match-up.
The Vikings took charge in the opening eight minutes with a 15-13 lead. At the half, Decorah continued to lead 36-33. The difference in the game came in the third period as the Hawks outscored the Vikes 22-14 and jumped ahead 55-50 as both squads poured in 25 points in the final eight minutes.
Driscoll knocked down a game-high 37 points in the close finish. The senior also provided seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. LaFrentz finished the night with 15 points and 11 boards, while Milburn was there for 14 points and seven caroms. Groux provided the other nine points.
CR Prairie 13 20 22 25 80
Decorah 15 21 14 25 75
Scoring – Driscoll 37; LaFrentz 15; Milburn 14; Groux 9
Rebounds – LaFrentz 11; Milburn 7; Driscoll 6; Dlhy 3; Webb 2; Groux 2; Assists – Driscoll 7; Milburn 2; Webb 2; Groux 1; Kuennen 1; LaFrentz 1; Steals – Driscoll 2; Milburn 2; Groux 1; Kuennen 1; LaFrentz 1; Dlhy 1
Friday night
Playing on several days of rest, the Vikings were on target throughout Friday’s NEIC game at Crestwood (2-11, 1-4 NEIC), scoring more than 20 points in each of the four periods to defeat the Cadets 97-59.
Decorah put the ball through the hoop early and often, taking a 27-12 lead after the first period. The Cadets got some momentum going in the second quarter and kept pace with the visitors with 24 points; however, the Vikes maintained a comfortable 49-36 lead at the half. In the second half, the Vikings continued to pull away and held Crestwood to just four points in the final frame for the win.
It was a 30-point night for LaFrentz in addition to his six rebounds and two blocked shots. Driscoll was also in double digit scoring with 28 points with five assists and three steals. Milburn was the third Viking in double figures, putting up 12 points and snaring a team-high seven boards. Groux provided 10 assists and eight points.
Decorah 27 22 26 22 97
Crestwood 12 24 19 4 59
Scoring – LaFrentz 30; Driscoll 28; Milburn 12; Groux 8; Webb 8; Dlhy 4; Pipho 3; Kuennen 2; Tanner Caddell 2
Rebounds – Milburn 7; Dlhy 7; LaFrentz 6; Caddell 4; Driscoll 2; Kuennen 2; Webb 2; Pipho 1; Assists – Groux 10; Driscoll 5; Milburn 4; Dlhy 2; Webb 1; Caddell 1; Steals – Driscoll 3; Kuennen 2; Groux 1; Milburn 1; LaFrentz 1; Webb 1; Blocks – LaFrentz 2; Milburn 1; Caddell 1
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