Linn boys’ coach John Viehland knew last week’s 64th Legends Bank Holiday Classic would be a challenge, but the Wildcats faced it head-on and battled through every game.
“This is not what …
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Linn boys’ coach John Viehland knew last week’s 64th Legends Bank Holiday Classic would be a challenge, but the Wildcats faced it head-on and battled through every game.
“This is not what we wanted as a team, coming out 0-3,” said Viehland. “We’re still filled with sickness, injuries, and players out of town.
In the opening round, the Wildcats lost to School of the Osage, 68-26, shooting 33.3% from the field, with no three-pointers and a 4-14 mark at the stripe.
Gus Peters, who earned a spot on the All-Tournament team, and Cody Heckman scored six points apiece to lead the team, as Aaron Starke and Colton Leivian added four each, and Dawson Sprenger, Preston Keilholz, and Tony Peters put in two apiece.
On the boards, Sprenger and Starke posted five grabs apiece, Heckman added three, and G. Peters and T. Peters each had two.
On the defensive end, G. Peters finished with six steals, and Starke had one.
From there, the Cats lost to California, 51-39. The Cats trailed 26-15 at the break, but roared in the third with a 15-7 advantage to make it a 33-30 margin going into the final quarter.
T. Peters (3-4, FT) led the way with 13, and Sprenger with eight points, including a three-pointer, followed by G. Peters (3-4 FT, 7), Leivian (2-3 FT, 4), Starke and Payton Peters (2 each), and Hunter Bish (1).
Despite a 72-49 loss to Cuba, Viehland found some positives. “Four players finished with double-digit points against Cuba, which is very impressive for us, and another step in the right direction,” he said of G. Peters (trey, 14), Nash Tyree (2 treys, 12), T. Peters (4-4 FT, 10), and Sprenger (trey, 10).
Starke added one from the FT line, where the team converted 7-12.
“All three games were tough, but we stayed under 20 turnovers,” said Viehland. “We’re just having trouble stopping teams. Everyone is shooting lights out against us.”
Cuba shot over 75% from three-point range.
“We’re still missing three key pieces with Craig Laughlin, Kahne Brandt, and Cody,” said Viehland. “But Hunter stepped up big with his hustle and effort in replacing these other players.”
