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Haack embraces leadership role
Becomes Tigers’ all-time leading scorer in 27-point performance
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NORTH ENGLISH — Iowa Valley senior Caleb Haack has embraced his leadership role more than ever this season.
“I’ve grown a lot on the mental side and leadership side, especially just being there for my teammates with more encouragement,” Haack said.
It took some time for Haack to gel with a team filled mostly with freshmen last season, but through working together in the gym, the cohesiveness has improved this season.
Haack has become a better facilitator this year, often getting double- and triple-teamed in games.
“I really like to pass the ball more,” said Haack. “If we share the ball and distribute the points it makes it a lot harder to guard against better teams.”
Even when Haack isn’t the one getting the assist, finding the open man and moving the ball side to side eventually creates an open look for the Tigers.
The do-it-all big man posted 27 points in a 77-53 win over English Valleys Tuesday night and added 13 rebounds and six blocks.
Haack become the school’s all-time leading scorer in the win, eclipsing the 1,444-point mark.
“It means everything, especially since the previous record holder was my teammate when I was a freshman (Brody Ward),” Haack said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am confidence- and skill-wise without him.”
Haack has signed to play football at the University of Northern Illinois, a team that beat the national runner-up Notre Dame this past season.
Football wasn’t always the choice for Haack.
“I wasn’t the most into football going into my junior year, and all of a sudden everything changed,“ said Haack. ”Just the team chemistry aspect of it, with everyone working hard and the culture at our school is good. It made me really love the game.“
The Tigers were firing on all cylinders as a team in the first half Tuesday night.
After jumping out to a 22-10 lead after a quarter, the Tigers kept up the high scoring in the second.
Layne Peska hit four straight threes giving the Tigers eight total in the half and a 45-27 lead.
The Tigers rotated a lot of bodies in an out in the second half and grew the lead to as high as 30 in the fourth.
“I thought we played great team basketball tonight,” Iowa Valley coach Josh Konicek said. “’We over me’ is what I’ve been preaching these last couple games. They’re still meshing, but its coming along.”
In addition to Haack’s 27, Cole Long added 18 and Peska 14. Freshman Zavier Pedersen scored seven.
As a team, the Tigers recorded 23 assists and 18 steals.
The Bears had three in double figures themselves.
Leading scorer on the season, Everett Bender, had 13 and Kane Axmear 11.
Christian Tripses, who had a game-high five threes, led the Bears with 20 on the night.
Tripses, a freshman, has developed as a versatile offensive threat for the Bears this season.
