Hawks' rally falls short at Mepo

NEED TO FINISH

Our guys played good basketball for our first time out this season. We were disappointed in the final score but feel strongly we can work on the areas we need to improve upon in order to finish and win close games.”

Kritter Hayes, Central Lee Head Boys Basketball Coach

MEDIAPOLIS – Central Lee’s boys basketball team came out on the wrong end of a tight game at Mediapolis Tuesday night.
Head Coach Kritter Hayes said the Hawks have some work to do closing out games. The Hawks trailed by just one point going into the fourth period and held a lead after the first quarter.
“Our guys played good basketball for our first time out this season. We were disappointed in the final score but feel strongly we can work on the areas we need to improve upon in order to finish and win close games,” Hayes said.
“We were able to keep the game competitive because we limited our turnovers. Our players believe in each other and our ability to compete this season."
Will Hayes, just a sophomore, led the Hawks with 17 points. Junior Brayden Wyrick had 16. The Bulldogs did a good job of containing Wyrick, who led the Hawks with 347 points last season as a sophomore and has been playing varsity since his freshman year. Wyrick had just three points in the first half but responded in the second half helping keep the Hawks close with 13.
Central Lee was down by 9 points with two minutes remaining but cut that lead to just four with a minute left, but couldn’t get any closer.
The Hawks shot a respectable 42% from the field but were a chilly 21% from 3-point land going just 3 of 14. Wyrick pulled down 10 rebounds.
Hayes said the team chemistry is good and the season will hinge on the Hawks’ ability to get defensive stops at crucial times. He said they also need to be more consistent in the lane.
“We missed a lot of shots at the rim in this game. We have to be more physical while not fouling, as foul trouble really affected our flow throughout the game. Credit should go to Mediapolis for getting big time baskets when they needed them down the stretch.”
Sophomore Owen Swan had five points and three assists for the Hawks.
Central Lee hosts New London on Friday night and then West Prairie on Saturday.
In the junior varsity event, the Hawks fell 56-43 and were led in scoring by Carson Morrison with nine point and couple assists. Brody Moeller had eight points and Ward Fraise had six.