Linn had a big breakthrough last Tuesday night, the Wildcats earning their first win of the season with an impressive 46–31 victory over a strong Hermann program. Even more special, the night marked the first two-win night of the year for both the varsity and JV.

Hermann came into the game with a 4–1 record and is one of the area’s top basketball programs under head coach Drew Lansford. Linn entered the matchup 0–4, but the Wildcats showed great growth, focus, and determination from the opening tip.

“Overall, it was a great night for Linn basketball and a reward for the hard work the players have been putting in,” said Coach John Viehland. “The Wildcats continue to grow each week, and this two-win night is a positive step forward as the season progresses.”

The varsity boys set the tone defensively and controlled the pace of the game. From a 10-5 first-quarter lead to establishing a seven-point halftime advantage, the Wildcats never let up, shooting 42.5% overall and 7-9 from the FT line. Linn also went 5-13 from three-point range, and won the rebounding battle 30-15.

Gus Peters led all scorers with 18 points, providing a strong offensive spark as he drained a trey and went 5-6 from the stripe.

Cody Heckman delivered a gritty performance with nine points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the effort on both ends of the floor. Nash Tyree also scored nine, with all of his points coming from beyond the arc.

Also scoring were Dawson Sprenger (4), and Colton Leivian (trey), and Tony Peters (each with 3). G. Peters and T. Peters counted three assists each, while Tyree, Sprenger, Aaron Starke, and Heckman finished with one apiece.

Sprenger added six rebounds to the mix, followed by T. Peters (4), Starke, and G. Peters (3 each), and Tyree (1).

Defensively, G. Peters was solid with four steals, as Sprenger pilfered two, and Tyree, Heckman, and T. Peters added one more apiece. Heckman had the team’s lone block.

In the JV game, the boys followed with an equally impressive performance, earning a 39–31 victory.

“The team played together, shared the basketball, and competed hard throughout the game,” said Viehland.

Hunter Bish led the scoring attack with 10 points.

On Friday, the Wildcats faced a tough challenge as both squads took losses against Dixon, a top-10 Class 3 program in the state.

“While the scoreboard didn’t swing in Linn’s favor, the games provided valuable experience against elite competition and showed continued growth within the program,” said Viehland.

Linn lost the varsity game 71-37 as G. Peters scored 21 to lead the Wildcats against a strong Dixon defense. The Wildcats were shorthanded, missing Heckman, one of their top scorers and rebounders, which made the challenge even greater.

“Despite that, the team continued to fight, show effort, and stay together for all four quarters,” said Viehland.

The JV team competed hard throughout the game but fell 60-47.

Linn was led offensively by Leivian, who finished with 12 points. “The group battled until the final buzzer, gaining confidence and learning what it takes to compete against a high-level opponent,” said Viehland.

As a program, Viehland believes Linn basketball is moving in the right direction. “These players have faced confidence challenges over the past few seasons, and rebuilding that belief is a huge part of the process,” he said. “Each day they step on the court, they continue to improve — building this program one step at a time.

“Our schedule has been demanding, matching up with top-ranked teams across multiple divisions throughout Missouri, but those challenges are helping shape the team’s toughness and mindset,” Viehland continued. “The wins will come. More importantly, the players are starting to love the game of basketball again, and that passion shows more each game. Every practice and every game — regardless of the final score — is a win for the program. Progress takes time, but it also takes heart and hard work, and both the JV and varsity boys are showing they have what it takes to make good things happen moving forward.”