Turkey Valley boys down MFL, SW; girls beat SW, lose to MFL

JACKSON JUNCTION - The Turkey Valley basketball teams split two home games against MFL-Mar-Mac on Dec. 19 as the TV girls lost to the Bulldogs, 40-48; and the boys downed MFL-MM 59-49.

Playing a doubleheader at South Winn on Dec. 21, the Trojans earned a sweep as the TV girls won, 43-38; and the boys notched a 59-49 win.

Girls: MFL 48, TV 40

A second half rally by the Turkey Valley girls’ basketball team fell short as MFL-Mar-Mac held on to beat the Trojans, 48-40, on Dec. 19 at home. The loss dropped TV’s overall record to 5-6.

“This was a great effort by the girls,” TV Co-Coach Dan Stepan said. “We played good defense and gave ourselves a chance to win.”

Lydia Schuchhardt and Emily Busta each scored 10 points and had two three-pointers for TV. Elli Winter tallied nine points.

Breanna Busta had seven points. Jaycie Bryne posted six points, and Katlyn Baumler had four points. Kassidy Reicks and Jordan Lukes each scored two points.

Score by quarters

TV    10   9   11   10 - 40

MFL 16   11   7   14 - 48 

 

Boys: TV 59, MFL 49

A 17-6 run by the Turkey Valley boys’ team in the third quarter sparked the Trojans as they held on to beat MFL-Mar-Mac, 59-49, on Dec. 19 at home.

“Both teams got off to a slow start, TV Coach Chris Sullivan said. “We were pleased with the looks we were getting around the basket, but we just failed to convert them in the first quarter. We leaned on our defense once again early to keep us within two points and then in the second quarter our offense came alive. 

“We did a great job of executing our sets and delivering great post entry passes and we finished well during the second quarter. At halftime we made a couple small adjustments. We told the kids to keep up the defensive intensity and anticipate things a little quicker, and this led to some steals. 

“In the second half we got a nice lead but MFL answered back. We did a great job of staying calm. This was a great win for us tonight and the energy for four quarters was great. I would say this is our most complete game this year,” Sullivan said.

Evan Drilling led the Trojans with 22 points, including three three-pointers, and had eight rebounds. Ethan Leibold posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Levi Izer had eight points and four assists

Keegan Balk tallied seven points, including one three-pointer, had two rebounds and two steals. Jordon Snyder had four points. Eli Nymeyer had two rebounds.

Score by quarters

TV    6   18   17   18 - 59

MFL 8   15    6    20 - 49

 

Girls: TV 43, SW 38

Turkey Valley rallied from a 21-15 halftime deficit with a 28-12 second half run to earn a 43-38 win.

“It was a hard fought game, and we found a way to put a good run together in the third quarter,” Stepan said. “It was good to get a victory heading into the break.”

Emily Busta led TV with 16 points, including one three-pointer. Jordan Lukes had five points. Elli Winter scored 11 points.

Breanna Busta and Kassidy Reicks each scored four points. Katlyn Baumler had two points. Jaycie Bryne had one point.

Score by quarters

TV   10   5   16   12 - 43

SW  10  11   8     9  - 38

 

Boys: TV 59, SW 49

The Trojan boys’ team built a 32-19 halftime lead and held off South Winn for a 59-49 win.

“We got off to a great start shooting and our defensive intensity was excellent,” Sullivan said. “In the second quarter we continued to move the ball well and knocked down shots from behind the arc.

“At halftime we talked about keeping up the intensity on the defensive end and continuing to get the ball to the middle and penetrate gaps and the kids came out and did a good job of this. 

“This was a great win for us. Keegan Balk had a great game and shot the ball well, but what I was most pleased with was that he wasn't settling for the three ball and was on attack mode throughout the night. Kyle Langreck brought a spark off the bench along with Jordon Snyder as well,” Sullivan said.

Ethan Leibold tallied a double-double with 15 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Keegan Balk had 18 points, including three three-pointers, had two rebounds and two assists. Levi Izer had nine points, including three threes.

Evan Drilling had six points, including one three-pointer, and two assists. Kyle Langreck had five points, including one three-pointer, and three rebounds. Jordon Snyder had four points, three assists and two steals. Eli Nymeyer had two points.

Score by quarters

TV   16   16   12   15  - 59

SW  13    6     8    22  - 49