Turkey Valley basketball teams sweep Clayton Ridge, boys beat Jesup

JACKSON JUNCTION - It was a good weekend for the Turkey Valley basketball teams as both TV squads chalked up wins over Clayton Ridge on Friday, Jan. 4; and the Trojans boys’ team beat Jesup, 57-53, on Saturday, Jan. 5 at Wartburg.

On Friday, the TV girls’ team crushed Clayton Ridge, 57-33; and the Trojans boys’ squad downed the Eagles, 46-23.

 

Girls: TV 57, CR 33

The Turkey Valley girls’ team built a 31-14 halftime lead and sailed to a 57-33 win over Clayton Ridge on Friday at home to improve to 5-6 overall.

“This was a great way to start the New Year,” TV Girls’ Coach Carla Nymeyer said. “ Our defense showed a lot of hustle and intensity with Kylie Wurzer setting the tone. We struggled at times with our offense and free throw shooting, but we still had a nice balanced scoring attack. Jaycie Bryne, Katlyn Baumler and Jordan Lukes led the way by making some really nice plays.”

Jaycie Byrne had 13 points to lead the Trojans. Katlyn Baumler tallied 12. Jordan Lukes had nine points, including two three-pointers.

Breanna Busta had eight points, including one three-pointer. Kara Reicks posted eight points. Hailey Elsbernd had three points. Jalyssa Blazek and Lindsey Jackson each scored two points.

Score by quarters

TV   15   13   18   11  - 57

CR    5     9    11    8   - 33

 

Boys: TV 46, CR 23

The Trojan boys’ team took advantage of an 18-0 run in the second period to take a 22-3 halftime lead en route to a 46-23 win over Clayton Ridge Friday.

“Both teams got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter,” TV Boys’ Coach Chris Sullivan said. “It looked like our first game of the season the way we started on the offensive end. We were getting the ball deep into the paint, but we failed to convert multiple times. Luckily, our defense was very active. We did a good job of playing disciplined basketball and closing out to shooters and holding them to one shot. 

“In the second quarter, we out-scored them 18-0 and took a 22-3 lead into halftime. Our intensity on the defensive end was great again during the second quarter and then we started hitting some shots,  which sparked the run. In the second half, we continued to play lockdown defense and our ball movement improved, but it was just a poor shooting night for us

“When you play four quarters of tough, intense defense like we did, you can get away with playing poorly on the offensive end.

“Ethan Leibold had another monster night on the boards with 19 rebounds to go along with his 19 points. Eli Nymeyer chipped in with nine points and Garrett Kurtenbach gave us a nice spark off the bench.

“We talked about how (right now) is the third quarter of basketball for us in the season, and we will need to make that next step as a team. I thought we had great practices over the break and the kids were locked in mentally. Our defense took a huge step forward, and we will need to get rolling on the other end. We have good shooters, and we know we will make the open looks moving forward,” Sullivan said.

Ethan Leibold tallied 19 points, including two three-pointers, had 19 rebounds and four assists. Eli Nymeyer had nine points, including one three-pointer, two rebounds and two steals. Garrett Kurtenbach had six points, including one three-pointer.

Eli Reicks had four points, including one three-pointer, five assists and three rebounds. Elliott Dietzenbach had four points, two steals and two rebounds. Kalvin Langreck had three points on one three-pointer. Kannon Leuenberger had three rebounds. Simon Schmitt and Seth Huinker each had two rebounds.

Score by quarters

TV   4   18   11   13  - 46

CR   3    0     8    12  - 23

 

Boys: TV 57, Jesup 53

Playing Jesup at Wartburg on Saturday, the Trojans grabbed a 28-18 halftime lead and held off a Jesup rally  to win, 57-53, to improve to 8-3 overall.

“The kids came out locked in and playing good team defense, and we got excellent looks on the offensive end,” Sullivan said. “The game went back-and-forth early on before we went on a little run to take a 15-10 lead going into the second quarter.

“Jesup went on a run of their own before we answered with another run. Eli Nymeyer hit a buzzer beater to go into halftime with a 28-18 lead. Kalvin Langreck found his stroke in the second quarter where he hit three three-pointers and Garrett Kurtenbach gave us another big spark off the bench.

“At halftime we were pleased with the energy and how mentally locked in we were on both ends. We told the kids that we still had 16 more minutes of play to put together a complete game on both ends of the floor which we have been looking for all season. We told the kids if we were going to win this game we were going to have to block out because that was the area we struggled in the most in the first half. 

“The kids came out and continued playing at a high level and in the fourth quarter Jesup went on a run again and cut the lead to two with a couple minutes left. The guys did a great job of keeping their composure when Jesup went on the run, in large part because of them hitting threes.

“A few times we closed out a little short or closed out without our hands up, and they had some good shooters and they made us pay for it. With the ball and up two points, Ethan Leibold found Jason Herold for a little six-foot basket to put us up four points and then Eli Nymeyer got a huge steal and took it all the way for a bucket to put us up six. 

“We hit some free-throws late to put the game on ice and got a quality win against a very nice opponent. Everybody played a part in this win and the bench players came up huge tonight. Simon Schmitt gave us great minutes and played extremely hard on the defensive end and came down with six big rebounds. Ethan led us in scoring with 13 points and 18 rebounds,” Sullivan said.

Leibold posted 13 points, had 18 rebounds and two assists. Kurtenbach had 10 points, including two three-pointers, three rebounds and two steals. Eli Nymeyer had nine points, including one three-pointer, three assists, two steals and two rebounds.

Eli Reicks had seven points, including one three-pointer, and three assists. Kalvin Langreck had nine points on three three-pointers. Simon Schmitt had two points and six rebounds. Jason Herold and Kannon Leuenberger each had two points.