Cadet boys downed by Decorah

CRESCO - A late rally by the Crestwood varsity boys’ basketball team fell short against Decorah on Feb. 13 at home as the Vikings edged the Cadets, 52-49.

The first half was a tight, back-and-forth battle as both teams traded baskets for the first 16 minutes. 

Decorah took a slim 16-14 lead after one period before the Cadets grabbed a 22-16 lead midway through the second period. The Vikings closed the period on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 22-all at halftime.

In the third period, Decorah opened the quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 33-22 advantage. Four straight points by Boston Ferrie and a three-pointer by Nathan Martinek cut the lead to four points at 33-29, but Decorah came back to grab a 40-31 lead going into the fourth.

At the 5:50 mark of the fourth quarter, the Vikes built a 10-point lead at 45-35, but Crestwood didn’t give up. A 9-2 run by the Cadets sliced the lead to three-points at 47-44 with 1:04 left. However, Decorah clinched the game at the free throw line in the final minute.

“That 11-0 run Decorah had to start the second half made the difference in the game,” Cadet Coach Lynn McCormick said. “That run just killed us. Decorah scored and we didn’t. We didn’t play great defense (early in the third) and that was the name of the game.

“We got up by six points in the second quarter, but then we weren’t smart offensively (after that). We did make a good run in the fourth, and our kids played hard. It’s frustrating to have close games, but we can’t get over the top. 

“I thought both teams played well overall on defense. Decorah is a quick and athletic team, and we had a tough time getting open shots against them. We also had some chances at the free throw line, but we didn’t convert all those chances. All those factors count in a close game,” the coach said.

Cadet statistics

Clayton Ollendieck led the Cadets on offense with 17 points, had six rebounds and one block. Nathan Martinek had 13 points, including three three-pointers, and two assists.

Boston Ferrie and Zack Lane each had seven points. Ferrie also had nine rebounds and two assists. Lane had three rebounds. Jon Henry had three points and six rebounds. Jacob Andera had two points and two rebounds. Kristian Szajna had three rebounds and seven assists.

Score by quarters

CW   14   8   9   18 - 49

Dec   16   6  18  12 - 52