Early hole too much for WC boys

West Central’s Ethan Fink fires off the basketball outside the paint at Turkey Valley on Monday, Dec. 16. The sophomore was the Devil’s second-leading scorer with 15 points and a trio of caroms. (Sharon Pape photo)

By Jerry Wadian
Sports Editor
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Central boys’ basketball team dug itself an early hole Monday, Dec. 16, in Jackson Junction and could never recover in a 54-48 loss to Turkey Valley.

The Trojans jumped to a 26-9 lead by the end of the first eight minutes. WC rallied to trail by five, 32-27, by halftime.

However, TV added five points to the lead in the third quarter and hung on for the win.

Both teams fired the ball from outside with the Devils going 6-14 from 3-point range, while the hosts were 8-18. TV also outrebounded WC, 35-23.

Ethan Fink was the big bomber from outside, going 5-7 from beyond the arc for all 15 of his points.

Ethan Steinbronn led all scorers with 18 points; he completed the double-double with 13 rebounds. Hud Johnston was also in double figures for the Devils with 11 points.

Friday’s game at Elkader was postponed due to the weather; no makeup date was available at press time. West Central enters the holiday break with a record of 2-3; all three losses were in conference play.

WC 9 18 8 13 48

TV 26 6 12 10 54

WC (48)- Steinbronn, 18; Fink, 15; Johnston, 11; Squires, 2; Gordon, 2. Rebounds- Steinbronn, 13; Gordon, 3; Fink, 3; Johnston, 3; Langel. Assists- Niemann, 3; Gordon, 3; Steinbronn, 2; Fink, Johnston. Steals- Gordon, 2; Jonhston, 2; Niemann, Fink, Steinbronn. Blocks- Johnston, 2; Gordon, 2; Niemann, Fink, Steinbronn.