John Bohnenkamp for Pen City Current Sports
FORT MADISON - Central Lee’s boys basketball team kept pace with Holy Trinity in Friday’s SEI Superconference South Division game at Shottenkirk Gym.
Passing the Crusaders was something the Hawks couldn’t do.
Holy Trinity’s 61-49 win was completed with a 9-0 run that started near the end of the third quarter and lasted until midway through the fourth.
The Hawks (2-8 overall, 0-7 division) were within 48-42 with 1:45 to play after a layup by Aden Ross. But Luke Hellige’s 3-pointer 45 seconds later started the Crusaders’ crucial run.
“They do a good job of running out and getting into transition quickly,” Central Lee coach Kritter Hayes said. “We couldn’t identify a couple of guys in transition, and they beat us down the floor a few times. I think they had about three runouts that resulted in layups. Their lead went from five or six to 12 to 15 really quickly.”
It was that way all night for the Crusaders (4-6, 2-5), who won their third consecutive game. They led the final 25 ½ minutes, constantly keeping the Hawks from getting too close.
“I thought Central Lee played super-hard,” Holy Trinity coach John Hellige said. “He had those guys ready to play. They played super-hard and did some great things.”
Holy Trinity hadn’t played since a 71-36 win over Highland (Mo.) on December 17, but showed no ill effects of the Christmas layoff. The Crusaders scrimmaged two teams over the break and used the time to get a little rest.
“The kids had a great three-week break, and worked their tails off,” Hellige said. “This is just a reward for their hard work.”
Luke Hellige led the Crusaders with 27 points. Nick Fullenkamp had 14 points. Conner Gehling had 12.
“I thought we had good balance tonight,” John Hellige said.
Central Lee went into the Christmas break with back-to-back wins.
“I had a good feeling coming into tonight,” Hayes said. “Our guys were really relaxed and loose. They’ve been having some good practices and they were ready to get after it.”
Brayden Wyrick led Central Lee with 18 points. Owen Swan had 14 points.
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