West Central’s Jalyn Brownell shot fakes Turkey Valley’s Elli Winter as she drove the baseline for a layup. The Blue Devils fell to the Trojans, 57-19, on Pack the Gym Night, Jan. 19, but did secure their first win of the season three days prior against Starmont, 57-52.  Chris DeBack photo

WC earns first victory

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Central girls’ basketball team earned its first victory of the season when it defeated the Starmont Stars, 57-52, on Tuesday, Jan 16.

The girls in blue opened the game much in the same way they did in a six-point loss to the Stars on Dec. 19, 2017, controlling the pace of play. The Blue Devils outscored Starmont, 11-6, in the first quarter. 

The Stars roared back to tie the game at 27 by halftime and had a three-point lead as the game headed into the final quarter.

West Central’s Adam Michels hits a contested layup in transition against Turkey Valley on Pack the Gym Night, Jan. 19, in Maynard.  Chris DeBack photo

Blue Devils remain winless

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Things haven’t been easy for the West Central boys’ basketball team, as it is still in search of its first victory of the year.

Last week, the Blue Devils fell to 0-15 on the season with a 70-26 loss to Starmont on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and an 80-21 loss to Turkey Valley on Pack the Gym Night that Friday. 

Against Starmont, West Central played well in the first quarter keeping pace with the Stars, 13-11. However, Starmont’s defense buckled down from there, and the Blue Devils scored just 15 points the remainder of the game. 

NFV gals fall to the best

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 The NFV girls’ basketball team had to face the three best teams on its schedule last week, and all three games were on the road. Kee, MFL/MM and Crestwood have only four losses between them, and the TigerHawks couldn’t make it five.

Monday in Lansing, NFV fell to conference-leading Kee High (14-1), 63-43. Kee is currently 10^th in Class 1A, and they took control from the outset, breaking to a 36-20 halftime lead.

Friday in Monona, the TigerHawks faced a Bulldog team that is 14-3, and on the verge of being ranked.

It looks like it just may hurt a bit as NFV’s Isaiah Corbin wrenches the head of a SW wrestler while controlling one arm in a match Thursday in Monona. (Kris Van Sickle photo) 

Dual week for NFV wrestlers

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Upper Iowa Conference Wrestling Meet will be held Saturday in Calmar. The meet starts at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. A concession stand will be available throughout the tournament.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be held at Turkey Valley, but the Trojans have joined New Hampton for wrestling; therefore, the meet was moved to Calmar.

MFL/MM is the two-time defending champions but it will face a real challenge with host South Winn. 

Dylan Muggler has become a fine all-around player for NFV, as he produces points, rebounds, assists and steals in every game. Here, the junior splits a pair of opponents in recent action to get the basket. (Jerry Wadian photo)

TigerHawk boys win 2 in UIC

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

NFV won two boys’ basketball games in the UIC last week. Before falling to Crestwood at home on Saturday.

The TigerHawks beat Kee, 66-51 on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and MFL/MM, 59-56 in overtime Friday in Monona.

The TigerHawks started the week off by feasting on home cooking against Kee High, 66-51.

The first eight minutes was a dogfight as the teams exchanged baskets, ending in a 15-15 tie.

The contest was decided in the second quarter when NFV went on a 24-10 tear to lead 39-25 at halftime.

The game went back to an exchange of baskets in the second half with the TigerHawks winning the final 16 minutes, 27-26.

According to head coach Dan Hovden, “The reason for the big second quarter was better defense. We played really good D, which led to more offensive opportunities.”

Another reason behind the win was the fact that the TigerHawks dominated the boards with 40 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass, which allowed second-chance opportunities. 

Lance Butikofer had a career night, missing a triple-double by two rebounds. The junior scored 20 points, dished out 11 assists and hauled down nine boards; all were team-highs.

Croy Schott was also in double digits with 10 points and was second on the team in rebounds with six.

NFV (66)- Points- Butikofer, 20; Schott, 10; Olson, 7; Haught, 5; Ward, 3; Hovden, 3; Imoehl, 2. 3-pointers- Butikofer, 4; Ginger, 2; Ward, Haught. Rebounds- Butikofer, 9; Schott, 6; Imoehl, 5; Hovden, 3; Haught, 3; Muggler, 3; Ward, 2; Ginger, 2; Olson, 2. Assists- Butikofer, 11; Hovden, 3; Olson, 2; Muggler, Schott. Steals- Hovden, 5; Haught, Ward, Butikofer, Olson. Blocks- Schott, 5; Imoehl, 2; Butikofer, 2.

Friday in Monona, things  were close all the way. It took overtime, before NFV prevailed, 59-56.

Friday’s game looked a lot like the opening game back in November, which NFV also won by three points, 51-48, in West Union.

In Monona on Friday, the TigerHawks held a lead through most of the first half, and walked into the halftime locker room leading, 30-24.

The Bulldogs narrowed the lead to three, 40-37, going into the final eight minutes of play, and managed to tie the game at 52-52 the end of regulation. MFL/MM tried a 3-pointer at the buzzer that wouldn’t go in.

The TigerHawks won the OT when, for the second time this season, Butikofer beat the Bulldogs with a trey at the buzzer.

Friday night, the ‘Dogs went 8-21 from outside and had 29 rebounds. Meanwhile, NFV made five treys in seven attempts and grabbed 38 rebounds.

For the second consecutive contest, Butikofer led the TigerHawk scoring with 19 points, including four treys. Schott added a dozen points and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.

NFV (59)- Points- Butikofer, 19; Schott, 12; Olson, 8; Muggler, 7; Ward, 4; Ginger, 3; Hovden, 2; Haught, 2; Imoehl, 2. 3-pointers- Butikofer, 4; Ginger. Rebounds- Schott, 10; Olson, 9; Butikofer, 5; Muggler, 4; Imoehl, 4; Haught. Assists- Hovden, 4; Olson, 3; Butikofer, 3; Haught, Muggler. Steals- Hovden, 2; Schott, 2; Butikofer, 2. Blocks- Schott, 2.

The mini streak of victories ended on Saturday as Crestwood drubbed the TigerHawks, 52-14.

NFV scored three points in the opening period and four more in the second quarter. For the second half, the TigerHawks made just seven points, all of which came in the third period.

In all, NFV managed just 31 total shots, making six for a 19.4 percent shooting percentage. To compound the problem, NFV missed its only two free throws. 

NFV (14)- Points- Ginger, 5; Muggler, 4; Butikofer, 3; Schott, 2. 3-pointers- Ginger, Butikofer. Rebounds- Imoehl, 3; Hovden, 3; Ginger, 3; Ward, 2; Butikofer, 2; Muggler, 2; McTaggart, Darnall. Assists- Muggler, Imoehl, Hovden, Butikofer. Steal- Butikofer. Blocks- Imoehl, 2; Butikofer.

After the week was over, head coach Dan Hovden commented, “Saturday, we just didn’t have much energy left after the OT game the prior night in Monona, and the tall, physical Cadets had not played in over a week.

“We paid really good attention to detail in our wins, and I continue to see growth as we approach the playoffs,” the TigerHawk mentor concluded. 

NFV won two boys’ basketball games in the UIC last week. Before falling to Crestwood at home on Saturday.

The TigerHawks beat Kee, 66-51 on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and MFL/MM, 59-56 in overtime Friday in Monona.

South Winn’s Jaden Schweinefus splits a pair of defenders on her way to the hoop during Friday night’s 51-28 win over the West Central Blue Devils. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW girls lose to TV, win over WC

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Warrior girls went 1-1 last week in Upper Iowa Conference play, falling to the Trojans of Turkey Valley and then bouncing back with a win over West Central at home.

Turkey Valley

South Winn traveled to Jackson Junction Tuesday, Jan. 9, for the second matchup with the Trojans in an eight-day span.

The Trojans came out of the gates hot, building a 12-2 lead after the opening quarter. 

The Warriors cut into the lead through the second and third quarters and trailed by only four going into the final period of play. 

South Winn senior forward Brennan Holthaus battles for position under the basket during Friday’s 72-48 win over West Central. Holthaus shot 6-7 from the field and tallied 13 points to help the Warriors snap a three-game losing streak. (Zakary Kriener photo)

South Winn Warrior boys improve to 8-5

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

After starting the week with a loss to fellow Upper Iowa Conference school Turkey Valley, the Warrior boys ended their three-game losing stream with a dominating win over West Central to close out the week.

Turkey Valley

South Winn trekked to Turkey Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 9, for a matchup against a tough Turkey Valley team. Despite a solid first half for the Warriors, the Trojans pulled away in the second half to win, 60-49.

South Winn 106-pounder Felicity Taylor works to turn her opponent during recent Warrior wrestling action. Holding an 18-5 record (prior to Saturday’s Decorah Viking Dual Tournament), the senior has been a vital part of the No 7-ranked Class 1A dual team’s success. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW tames Cougars, fall to No. 1 Dons