The Class 3A No. 3 Decorah boys’ basketball team (9-0, 4-0 NEIC) picked up two wins in under 24 hours Friday and Saturday, tacking on another Monday night.
Fourth quarter
Playing stellar second and third periods Friday, the fourth quarter put the game away against Charles City (4-5, 3-1 NEIC) as the Vikes won 73-44 on the road.
After the first eight minutes, Decorah found itself trailing 12-11. Then the Vikings came alive to outscore the Comets 17-10 in the second to lead 28-22 at the half.
A balanced attack on both NEIC squads in the third kept Charles City within striking distance before the Vikes pulled away in the final period with 26 points while limiting the Comets to just six.
It was a triple-double night for junior Cael LaFrentz who notched a game-high 31 points, 20 rebounds and 11 blocks. Zachary Driscoll also had an outstanding night with 17 points, nine boards and seven assists. Joining the pair in double figures was Noah Milburn with 16 points.
Decorah 11 17 19 26 73
Charles City 12 10 16 6 44
Scoring – Cael LaFrentz 31; Zachary Driscoll 17; Noah Milburn 16; Gavin Groux 3; Carter Dlhy 2; Peyton Webb 2; Keaton Nalean-Carlson 2
Rebounds – LaFrentz 20; Driscoll 9; Dlhy 7; Groux 4; Louie Bucksa 2; Trevor Kuennen 2; Milburn 1; Webb 1; Assists – Driscoll 7; Groux 2; Kuennen 1; Milburn 1; Dlhy 1; Steals – Driscoll 3; Kuennen 1; Milburn 1; Groux 1; Dlhy 1; Blocks – LaFrentz 11
Weekend game
Saturday afternoon the Vikings hosted Class 2A No. 9 Cascade (8-2), defeating the Cougars 63-51.
It was a close game throughout with Cascade taking a 14-13 lead after the first quarter. Decorah stormed out with the first seven points of the second period to lead 22-14 with 5:57 remaining and maintained the lead at halftime 35-25.
A Trevor Kuennen basket, combined with a pair of Driscoll free throws gave the Vikes’ the largest lead of the game to start the third before Cascade fired back. The Cougars held Decorah to just six more points in the period to pull within three, 45-42, with eight minutes remaining.
Undaunted, the Red and Blue went back at it in the final quarter, doubling the visitors’ offensive output, 18-9, to secure the win.
LaFrentz led the Vikes’ offense with 24 points to go with seven rebounds; however, it was Driscoll coming up with the double-double with 20 points and 10 boards to go with eight assists. Carter Dlhy added eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Cascade 14 11 17 9 51
Decorah 13 22 10 18 63
Scoring – LaFrentz 24; Driscoll 20; Dlhy 8; Groux 5; Jackson Pipho 2; Kuennen 2; Milburn 2
Rebounds – Driscoll 10; Milburn 8; LaFrentz 7; Dlhy 6; Kuennen 5; Pipho 2; Groux 2; Bucksa 2; Webb 2; Assists – Driscoll 8; Milburn 4; Dlhy 3; Groux 2; Pipho 1; Blocks – Milburn 3; LaFrentz 2
At NIACC Monday
The win streak extended to nine games for the Vikes Monday as Decorah took on Spencer (6-4) in Mason City at the North Iowa Area Community College campus for the 61-56 victory.
Decorah had an 18-10 lead after the first eight minutes but saw much of that advantage evaporate in the second as Spencer bounced back to within three at the break, 29-26. The Vikes pushed their lead back to eight in the third, outscoring the Tigers 17-12 to go on top 46-38. Spencer managed to dig into the difference in the final period; however, Decorah had enough fuel left in the tank to claim the win.
Individual stats were unavailable at press time.
Spencer 10 16 12 18 56
Decorah 18 11 17 15 61
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