Tigers’ tale: South champs

NEW LONDON - The New London Tigers are kings of the South. The Tigers ran past Holy Trinity's boys basketball team 71-53 on Tuesday night to clinch the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division title.

The Tigers jumped on top early, leading 18-9 after one quarter and 31-22 at halftime. New London held a 10-point lead, at 45-35, going into the fourth quarter.

New London turned it on in the fourth quarter. The Tigers put up 26 points in the final eight minutes to run away with an 18-point win.

Devin Swanson finished with 23 points and nine rebounds to lead the Tigers. Kade Benjamin had 23 points as well, and pulled down eight rebounds. Blaise Porter scored 16 points. Camden Kasel and Caydin Wahls had four points apiece. Kasel added four assists.

New London finished the South Division schedule at 14-2. The Tigers won nine-straight games to close out division play.

Rath rocks

WELLMAN - In a home River Valley Conference game, Aidan Rath carried Mid-Prairie to a 56-38 triumph over Durant.

Rath rounded up six rebounds, rejected two shots and shot 7-of-8 from the field, including 1-for-2 on 3-pointers and connected on 7-of-7 free throws for 22 points. Jackson Pennington passed out nine assists. Carter Harmsen had 10 points while Alex Bean produced seven rebounds, seven points, and five steals.

Ravens take 3rd over WMU

KALONA - Senior Night at Hillcrest meant the Ravens locked up third place in the North Division with a 57-30 win over visiting Winfield-Mt. Union.

A 16-2 Ravens lead became 43-14 at the break. Seniors John Hughes (11-of-15 on field goals for 23 points), Aaron Hershberger (seven rebounds, four assists, four points, three steals) and Eli Ours (three triples, four assists, four steals and 17 points) led the way. Luke Schrock provided a spark off the bench with seven points and four boards, Grant Bender scored four points, and Will Kolck added two points. Aiden Krabill dished for three assists.

Hillcrest dialed back the pressure and worked on some different things through the second half. The Wolves were without leading scorer Cam Buffington and the Ravens played without guard Noah Miller.

Prior to the game, seniors including manager Yanitza Gutierrez Larios, pep band members Meredith Blossom, Madeline Fox, Sarah Miller, and players Aaron Hershberger, John Hughes, Will Kolck, Eli Ours and Aidan Yoder were honored.

'We are very grateful for each of our seniors and the roles they have played in our basketball program,” Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich said. 'We really appreciate the support that our larger school community has given our students along the way. It was also great to see our seniors play well and get us off to a great start. The ball movement and defensive effort was really good at times, which aided the cause.”

Hillcrest plays Notre Dame Friday at home in the SEISC Shootout. The game matches the number three teams from the North and South divisions. It is varsity only and tip-off will be at 6 p.m.

No. 10 Keota Knocks Trojans

THORNBURG - Keota ko'ed the home team in the South Iowa Cedar League win, 88-30 over Tri-County. All 13 players scored for the Class 1A No. 10 Eagles (18-1, 15-1) with Dakota Detweiler knocking down 12 points and Grant Garman adding eight. Patrick Clarahan, Riley Hahn and Max Johnson had five each.

WACO downed by Nikes

WAYLAND - WACO couldn't hold home court against a tough Notre Dame team. The Warriors fell 77-42 in their final SEISC South Division game.

Notre Dame flirted with a 30-point first quarter. The Nikes led 28-11 after the first quarter and held a commanding 41-20 advantage at halftime.

The Nikes didn't slow down in the second half. Notre Dame put up 27 points in the third quarter alone to lead 68-33 after three periods.

Kolton Connelly and Vincent Jones scored eight points apiece for the Warriors. Hunter Hughes added five points. Zach Schmitz scored four. Simeon Reichenbach, Isaac Oswald and Will Edeker put up three apiece, and Jacob Eichelberger, Drew Diers, Reece Oswald and Mason Miller all finished with two.

Bulldogs fight off wildcats

COLUMBUS JUNCTION - Columbus fell to Mediapolis 61-48 in a North game. Mason Hodges led with 16 points while Columbus teammate Brody Frost had his best shooting night, adding 14 points.