Fourth-quarter domination leads to win

KALONA - Half court shots that are made at the buzzer are always exciting and when it happens at the end of the third quarter, it can give that team momentum in the fourth quarter.

Iowa Mennonite School made sure that didn't happen Tuesday on Dwight Gingerich court at Hillcrest Union.

Austin Marshek's half-court heave for Lone Tree had narrowed the IMS lead to 50-44 after IMS had led 45-33 midway through the third quarter.

Trevor Leyden hit a 3-pointer for IMS just six seconds into the fourth quarter and Caleb Gingerich bagged another triple seconds later to spur the 68-46 Southeast iowa Super Conference North Division victory over Lone Tree.

IMS had scored 10 points two minutes in the quarter to cancel any momentum the Lions may have had. Leyden spearheaded the defense that held Lone Tree without a point in the fourth quarter until just seconds remained.

'I faked a pass and nobody came on me so I just took it,” said Leyden, who finished with 23 points on five 2-pointers, four 3-pointers and a free throw that completed a conventional three-point play in the first half that helped build a 33-24 halftime lead after the first quarter ended at 11-10 for IMS. 'It felt good to shoot that three. Momentum is so important, especially for us because we are a smaller group. Once we are confident in our shot, we can knock them down.”

IMS coach Dwight Gingerich stressed defense in the huddle before the fourth quarter.

'We were just letting people loose. In the fourth quarter, we did a much better job of identifying people sooner and not letting people get behind us in transition. We took away their easy shots.”

The IMS defense really stepped up, blanking a team that had 44 points through three quarters. Both teams emptied their benches with 2 minutes, 44 seconds remaining in the game and the score at 66-44.

Leyden had six assists in the game while Eli Ours had five and two others had three apiece.

'We moved the ball really well,” Leyden said. 'It was a good team win. We want to concentrate on getting open shots instead of taking contested shots. Playing as a team really helped.”

The team moved the ball so well, four players ended up in double figures.

'When the ball moves like that, it is fun to watch,” Coach Gingerich said.

Ours netted nine of his 11 in the first half. Gingerich scored nine of his 10 in the second half. Jeremy Niemeyer was a force inside with a total of 16, eight in each half.

'Offensively, we got off to a really nice start in the fourth quarter,” Coach Gingerich said. 'It was impressive to hold them scoreless. Trevor's shot really got it started. We had good ball movement.”