Exira-EHK improves to 1-3, Spartans face tough stretch next week
By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 13, 2013
ELK HORN – Each time out offers a new opportunity for growth, and a chance to figure some things out for the ever-evolving lineup the Spartans field this winter.
On Friday night, Exira-EHK showed it has more than enough muscle to compete right now in the Rolling Valley Conference, building an early lead, then cruising onward to a 53-39 victory over visiting Charter Oak-Ute.
Afterwards, Spartans head coach Doug Newton expressed a bit of relief after watching some of the promise he sees in his team manifest itself on game day.
“We are starting to play a little better for a little longer,” he says. “We are starting to play well for longer periods in to the game. We still make some silly mistakes that are kind of head scratchers, but we are still gaining, and we are putting different combinations out there trying to find out what is the best direction for us to go.”
After holding on to a narrow 12-11 lead at the close of the opening quarter, Exira-EHK began the second on a 13-2 run that ultimately led to a 25-13 lead at the break.
The Spartans led by as much as 15 points in the second and third quarters, and played with a sustainable cushion over the final 16 minutes.
“At times, I was very happy. At others, I guess you’d like to think you can finish up a little better,” coach Newton says. “We had a chance to blow the game wide open and maybe relax and have a little fun with it. But all-in-all, I am pretty pleased with the effort.”
Exira-EHK had two players finish in double-digit scoring figures. Senior Tate Simpson led the team with 15 points, and Jarred Hansen added 11. Junior forward Jake Paulsen came off the bench to add a career-high nine points for the Spartans.
The bulk of CO-U’s scoring was done by seniors Logan Vinke (20 points) and Brad Staley (14 points). The Spartan’s defense was focused in to limiting their shots and touches, and it started to take a toll on the Bobcats late in the game as CO-U ran out of gas and was taxed physically.
The victory snaps a three-game losing streak that started the season for Exira-EHK, as the Spartans now improve to 1-3. A challenging week waits for EEHK next week as the team is set to head to Boyer Valley (2-1) Monday and Ar-We-Va (3-0) Tuesday before returning home next Friday to close out the 2013 portion of the schedule against CAM.
As the team works its way through mid-December, they will focus in on the process of steady improvement.
“We just need to try to continue to put together a more complete game,” coach Newton says. “We are going to have a tough week coming up.”
Game Scoring (12/13):
EXIRA-EHK (1-3): Tate Simpson 15, Jarred Hansen 11, Jake Paulsen 9, Lucas Schwery 6, Drew Peppers 6, Brady Hansen 4, Drew Buckholdt 2 Free Throws: 10/17
CHARTER OAK-UTE (1-3): Logan Vinke 20, Brad Staley 14, Jesse Hupp 2, Levi Kragel 2, Ryan Vogt 1 Free Throws 5/15
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