Tiger Boys 1-1 in last week's basketball games

The Ipswich boys hosted a pair of Region 6B high school basketball opponents last weekend in the Tiger Den with mixed results. (These were both non-conference outcomes.)

The Tigers didn't have a whole lot of trouble vs. Herreid/Selby Area last Thursday enroute to an impressive 73-43 victory. But two days later the Tigers would lose a hard-fought 46-44 nail-biter to Highmore-Harrold.

But first things first. Ipswich would indeed gradually pull away from the Wolverines. The Tigers would go ahead 15-14 in the first quarter and then slightly extended their lead to six points, 31-25, at intermission. The Tigers would then own a 50-33 lead with a quarter to play and coasted in the final stanza.

A Chet Peterson basket would produce their initial double-figure lead at 35-25 early in the third quarter. And it was all downhill from there. Peterson poured in 21 points including one trey, but Trevor Heinz totaled a game-high 24 points and Jace Konsor also got into double-figures with 12 points featuring one trey.

Next would be Tucker Kadlec with his seven points, followed by Kyle Hettich with five points highlighted by their remaining trey. Jaxon Holt and Xavier Kadlec each tallied two points. Hettich also distributed six of their 19 assists.

The Wolverines were led by Wayde Grage with 13 points and Mason Vetter with 12 points. Five more HSA players got into their scoring column that evening.

The Tigers ended up with 34 baskets including their trio of treys and were 2-5 in free throw chances. Meanwhile the Wolverines had 16 baskets including six treys and were 5-6 in their free throw effort. Peterson would finish with nine rebounds nearly a double-double. And Ipswich totaled 41 boards, while HSA had 18 of them.

Ipswich sustained only 11 turnovers and HSA had 14 miscues. Konsor and Heinz each collected three of their nine total steals.

Highmore-Harrold then survived a late Ipswich trey attempt to escape town with their one-possession two-point victory.

The Pirates would lead 13-10 after a quarter and then 24-21 at halftime thanks to respective buzzer-beaters. Things stayed close in the second half with the Pirates only ahead 30-26 with a quarter to play. And you all know what would happen in the final stanza.

The visitors were led by Trake Cowan with his 15 points and he also collected 16 of their 46 rebounds for an impressive double-double. And Aiden Ferens added 13 points to their cause. Five more Pirates would score at least one point.

Ipswich finished with 16 points from Trevor Heinz followed by Konsor with 12 points. (He had both of his team's treys.)

Peterson would add nine points with Hettich contributing four points and Xavier Kadlec, three points.

Ipswich totaled sixteen baskets including those treys and went 10-16 in free throws. The Pirates made 16 baskets as well and were 14-29 in their free throw trips.

The visitors finished with 44 rebounds, led by Cowan's 16 boards for an impressive double-double. Ipswich totaled 41 rebounds, led Peterson's 13.

The Tigers had only five turnovers which would have to be a bright spot in their narrow defeat. (The Pirates sustained 13 mistakes.) Ipswich got seven steals directly causing seven Pirate turnovers. Ipswich was led by Tucker Kadlec with three thefts.

The IHS boys and girls will travel to Miller on Thursday, Feb. 1. Then they will host a doubleheader vs. Aberdeen Christian in Ipswich on Tuesday, Feb. 6.