Hawks can't keep pace with West Burlington

Pressing

They know what they want to achieve and what I want for them. We're all pressing a bit and we need to take a step back.”

Kritter Hayes, Central Lee boys Head Coach

DONNELLSON - Central Lee's athleticism has yet to show up for a full basketball game, but Head Coach Kritter Hayes said when it does, it will be a game changer.

The Hawks had moments but nothing sustained in Tuesday's 74-36 loss to West Burlington in a SEI Superconference matchup at the Hawks' gym.

Central Lee didn't score a point until there was 3:20 left in the first quarter. In the meantime, the Falcons had opened a 17-0 lead and would never look back.

Sophomore Brayden Wyrick scored Central Lee's only points in a 28-5 first quarter. Wyrick was playing over the West Burlington interior, but couldn't get much going early, missing his first four shots from the field.

Wyrick would finish with 11 points to lead Central Lee.

The Hawks were a chilly 8-of-24 in the first half, while West Burlington went 24-34 and opened up a 51-18 lead at halftime.

"We're fighting hard, I know that. The guys are pressing a little too much. The guys get in the half court and they press," Hayes said.

"They know what they want to achieve and what I want for them. We're all pressing a bit and we need to take a step back."

The 33-point lead would put the running clock on for most of the second half.

The Hawks didn't have much of an answer for West Burlington's Brady Martin who led all scorers with 22 on the night, including six from 3-point land. He had 16 in the first half.

One of the few  bright spots in the later moments was when Keagan Damico hit a couple of three pointers to cut into the lead late, but the Falcons had emptied the bench at that point.

Damico finished with eight points while Aiden Ross, Corbin Pohren, and Cory Jones all had four points for the Hawks. Wyrick and Jones shared the rebounding lead with five each.

Hayes said the Hawks need to find a way to be in games earlier.

"We are behind right from the get go and it takes so much energy to fight out of that. If they can learn to manage that better or I call a time out sooner that might help, but the guys have to manage that and get control," Hayes said.

"When we do break the pressure and we get into the half court, we have to run our stuff becuase it's good when we execute it."

Hayes said an extended post-game conference with the boys was about emotion.

"I get emotional and fired up because I want them to have success. We long for it and I told them to keep their heads down and fight for it because when that time comes, it will be contagious for us."

The Hawks fall to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the SEI Superconference. They host 3-2 Danville Friday before playing at Keokuk High School in the River Rivalry Classic on Saturday.