Above: Burlington Notre Dame's Carsen Jones fires past the block attempt of Danville's Spencer Nelson in the Nikes' Homecoming game Friday night at Father Minett Gym. Jones led Notre Dame with 17 points. Photo/Chris Faulkner
Falcons beat Bulldogs
By Chris Faulkner Beacon Sports
Burlington Notre Dame dominated Danville in its varsity boys basketball Homecoming Friday night.
The Nikes scored the first 18 points en route to a 26-3 first quarter, didn't allow the Bears a field goal until the start of the second quarter and only allowed the Bears to play even with them the rest of the way in a 73-50 victory at Father Minett Gym.
The Nikes (4-1) travel to Holy Trinity Catholic in Fort Madison next Tuesday, and the Bears (3-2, 2-2) play Tuesday against Van Buren.
Six different players scored for Notre Dame in that opening outburst, and Danville coach Steve Soukup called three time-outs in that first period.
The Bears couldn't get the lead under 20 until six minutes left in the fourth quarter, 59-40. But soon both teams put in their reserves, and the Nikes closed out with a 14-1 run.
Carsen Jones led the Nikes with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and a blocked shot. The Nikes had three more in double figures: Liam Delaney scored 13 points, and Ethan Todd and Spencer Brent came off the bench to tally 12 and 10, respectively. Delaney had seven rebounds and the other block.
Gedi Boal twisted an ankle in the second quarter and managed to return in the fourth quarter. He had three rebounds and three steals when he was at full strength. He finished with five points.
Matthew Booten and Hunter Lillie got in foul trouble early, and Coach Dan Kies kept on the bench longer with a sizeable lead. Both scored four points but contributed well defensively.
Jack Drew, Lucas Johnson, and Grant Boal had two points each, and Caden Schwenker added a late free throw.
Notre Dame shot 50 percent from the field.
Caiden Gourley had the lone spark offensively for Danville with 18 points. Spencer Nelson had six rebounds to go with his five points. Drake Nicholson, Jaden Bauer, and Carter Buck also put in five each. Titus Svoboda and Carson Ourth had four points each, and Ashton McCane and Talan Whaley put in three each.
Coach Kies didn't expect such a stunning start to the game but was impressed with his team's effort.
“I don't think you come into a game like that ever thinking you're going to start out with that kind of lead early.
But, “I expect them if they want to play they come out and play like that,” Kies said. “The effort was there. They came out with some focus. They were not tentative.
“They looked for scoring opportunities. They pushed the ball up the floor like we asked. I figured we could use our transition to make things happen.”
He also didn't expect Danville to shoot 0 of 8 in the first quarter.
Coach Soukup said of the Nikes, “They were pretty into for their Homecoming,” but knew there might have been another factor. “The way things went down last year when we played them in the post-season, they had a chip on the shoulder.” The Bears knocked off the Nikes 42-41 in the second round of districts.
“We didn't come with a good start, which is disappointing, and then it's tough to dig out of a hole like that,” Soukup said.
“Just not disciplined with the personnel on the other team, what they do, what their strengths are.
“Coming out with a little more energy would be nice,” but it was a concern he has had for his team so far this year.
Falcons win
In another South Division boys basketball game Friday, West Burlington defeated Mediapolis 61-46.
Brady Martin led the Falcons with 18 points, Mason Watkins scored 13, and Jace Figuereo and Parker Lau put in 10 points each.
The Nikes opened the game with 18 unanswered points en route to a 73-50 victory.
Cole Lipper put in 17 points and Lance Ludens added 13.
West Burlington led 33-24 at halftime.