On Friday, Jan. 1, the Lennox High School boys’ basketball team started the New Year on the right foot, getting a 57-48 victory over the Canton C-Hawks.
Lennox started off a little slow but maintained a 9-8 first quarter advantage and a 24-22 halftime advantage. In the third quarter, however, Lennox’s offense exploded to outscore the C-Hawks 20-9 giving them the eventual 57-48 victory.
“We started off a little slow in the first half offensively, but we played great for four quarters defensively,” said LHS head coach Paul McVey. “In the third quarter our guys really established themselves in the paint off of drives and post touches, which led to us shooting and making a lot of free throws in the second half, and that was the difference in the game. We don’t have an abundance of home games this year so it was good to notch a victory at home.”
Steven Christion led the team in scoring with 13 points in the game, nine of those coming at the free throw line. Porter Ihnen provided 12 points and Peyton Eich and Jackson Arlt had 11 points each. Mason Temme provided six points and Braedon Wulf four.
Leading the team in rebounds on the night were Eich and Wulf, both of whom pulled down eight. Christion had six, Temme five, Arlt four, Porter Ihnen two and Gavin Sanculi and Denver Lefers one each.
Ihnen led the team in assists with three in the game. Eich led in steals with five.
Following their game against Canton, the LHS boys traveled to Mitchell to compete against Winner in the Sacred Hoops Classic at the Corn Palace.
The Classic featured several exciting match-ups that came down to buzzer beating shots; the match-up between Lennox and Winner was no exception.
Lennox, who trailed 26-22 at the half, had battled back in the second half to take the lead in the final seconds. But seconds were all the Warriors needed as they hit the game winning shot at the buzzer to steal the 58-56 victory.
“We got to play in an outstanding basketball game with Winner at the Corn Palace. The atmosphere and level of play had all the ingredients for a special night. Their All-State player, Fritz, got it going in the third quarter, but our players responded, came back and took the lead heading into the closing minutes,” said McVey. “We made some plays down the stretch, but ultimately Winner made a tough shot at the buzzer and we lost.”
For the Orioles, Eich led the way with 20 points, hitting three three-pointers in the game. Eich shot 89 percent in the game, only missing one shot.
“Peyton Eich had an exceptional game and was named Player of the Game by the directors of Sacred Hoops,” said McVey.
Eich also had one rebound, three assists and two steals.
Ihnen finished the game with 14 points, Christion nine, Arlt seven, Wulf four, and Temme two.
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