Exira-EHK knocks off CAM 56-40 in final game before Christmas Break
By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 20, 2013
ELK HORN – Three different Spartans player would finish in double figures to help lead Exira-EHK to a conclusive 56-40 victory over CAM Friday night.
Spartans’ junior forward Drew Peppers led all scorers with 18 points, guard Jared Hansen finished with 15 (13 of them in the first half), and Tate Simpson contributed 10 as Exira-EHK jumped out early and were never really threatened.
“We’re gaining a little bit,” Exira-EHK coach Doug Newton says. “Tonight, I thought we answered pretty well. We took the lead and pushed it up to 21 in the second half. Everyone came in and contributed it different times.”
Exira-EHK’s only deficit in the game was at 3-2, but following that, the Spartans steadily pulled away, and CAM spun its wheels with poor collective shooting.
Jared Hansen’s 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining in the opening half drove Exira-EHK out to a 10-point lead at 24-14. Then, at the close of the half just a moment later, Hansen forced a steal and converted a lay-up, reclaiming the 10-point lead for the Spartans to take into the break (26-16).
“We got out in transition fairly well after we settled into the game,” coach Newton says. “We felt that we might be able to get a couple baskets, and then (CAM) might not be as patient with its offense.”
By the end of the third quarter, Exira-EHK had expanded its lead to 17 points (46-29), and except for a two-minute stretch late in the third quarter, never really threatened to take control of the game.
Peppers, who led all scorers, was particularly effective in the paint, and CAM lacked an answer to his physical presence inside.
“We did a good job tonight of finishing,” coach Newton says. “We didn’t think they had a lot of depth on the bench at the post position, and that was something we wanted to attack.”
The loss drops CAM to 2-5 on the season, and lifts Exira-EHK’s record to 2-5 as well.
It was the final game of the 2013 portion of the season as both teams head into the Christmas Break, looking to make the most of the practice time.
For the Spartans, picking up this win might prove to be a boon as the squad looks to iron out its identity.
“We needed a win at this time of year,” coach Newton says. “This week, practice has been good…getting more repetitions is going to help more than anything.”
Game Scoring (12/20):
EXIRA-EHK (2-5): Drew Peppers 18, Jared Hansen 15, Tate Simpson 10, Brady Hansen 6, Jake Paulsen 2, Lucas Schwery 2, Noah Pettepier 2, Drew Buckholdt 1 Free Throws: 10/20
CAM (2-6): Michael Holste 9, Logan Dinkla 9, Jordan Winther 6, Connor Bell 5, Brady Runyan 3, Austin Hardisty 3, Tanner Winther 2, Blake Miller 2, Jarod McKee 1 Free Throws: 1/5
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