Stephen Vavroch (30) lifts a three-pointer against Lynnville-Sully.

Late rush gets L-S past a big Braves effort
Jan. 20, 2012

SULLY - It's one thing to feel rotten because you've played poorly.

It's another feeling entirely when you realize the other team won because they were good enough to top one of your best efforts.

The "rotten" feeling doesn't set in . .and if it does, it leaves quickly.

Lynnville-Sully made some plays in the final three-and-one-half minutes Friday night, enabling the now-13-2 Hawks to pull away from Montezuma, 57-49.

"Give them credit. They've been in a lot of close games and they got momentum at the right time," Braves coach Derek Schulte said.

"But we played with energy tonight," said Schulte. "We left it out on the floor."

In the process, Montezuma played what is likely its best quarter of the season, an 18-6 third period which saw them go from a 30-22 halftime deficit to a 40-36 lead heading in the fourth period.

The Braves got their lead up to five points.

But then Hawks started back.

"They converted a turnover, then they hit a three," said Schulte.

Hawks' guard T.J. Cunningham banked in a two-pointer with 3:16 left to tie the game at 45-45.

A bit later, Darin Hofer hit his fourth trey of the game to push Lynnville-Sully up 50-45 and the Hawks protected their lead with free throws from there.

The Braves threw in a wrinkle or two to help get point guard Stephen Vavroch off to a quick start. He scored 10 of his team-high 17 points during the first half.

But Hofer and Cunningham were lobbing mortar shells, knocking down four treys in a 22-14 Lynnville-Sully first quarter.

"I was proud of our response to that first quarter run they had," Schulte said.

The Braves kept themselves at eight points back, then assembled a defensive piece of work during the third quarter. Nathan Wheeler and Tyler Swenson scored the bulk of the third quarter points, while the Braves' defense put plenty of pressure on the Hawks' shooters and prevented much dribble drive penetration.

"This was a great team effort in many ways," Schulte said. "We got offensive rebounds, putbacks, drives. We were believing in our teammates and ourselves."

Cunningham led three double figures scorers for the Hawks (13-2, 13-1 league) with 17 points,while Hofer had 14 and Nathan Russell scored 11.

Vavroch got 17 for the Braves,who are 8-8 overall and 7-7 in the SICL. Swenson scored eight, while Matt Armstrong, Wheeler and Zach Gibson had six each. Armstrong pulled down six rebounds and Wheeler had five.

"This game was great preparation for the turnament, although we're not satisfied with the result," Schulte said. "I hope we get another opportunity to play this team."

WATCH IT! - at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Local Channel 3, with Keith Brake and Zach Price bringing home the action.

NEXT UP - The Braves are idle until Friday, Jan. 27, when they travel to North Mahaska.

Nathan Wheeler (32) battles the
Hawks' Cale Van Wyk for a rebound.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma       14    8   18    9  -  49
Lynnville-Sully  22    8     6   21 -  57

MONTEZUMA (49): Brady Losure 0, 1-2, 2, 1. Dillon Wilhelm 1, 0-0, 0, 2. Zach Gibson 2, 1-2, 5, 6. Tyler Swenson 3, 2-2, 1, 8. Kane Barker 1, 1-2, 3, 3. Coleton Tompkins 0, 0-0, 2, 0. Stephen Vavroch 6, 3-5, 2, 17. Nathan Wheeler 1, 4-4, 1, 6. Matt Armstrong 3, 0-0, 4, 6. TOTALS: 17, 12-17, 20, 49.

LYNNVILLE-SULLY (57): T.J. Cunningham 6, 2-3, 2, 17. Brady Van Wyk 2, 5-8, 1, 9. Nathan Russell 1, 9-12, 4, 11. Cale Van Wyk 1, 0-0, 2, 2. Bailee Samson 1, 2-4, 4, 4. Darin Hofer 4,2-2, 2, 14. TOTALS: 15, 20-29, 15, 57.

Three-point goals: Montezuma 3 (Vavroch 2, Gibson 1). Lynnville-Sully 7 (Hofer 4, Cunningham 3).
Fouled out: Montezuma (Gibson, 1:14 4th qtr.). Lynnville-Sully: none.
Turnovers: Montezuma 8, Lynnville-Sully 9.
Braves rebound leaders: Armstrong 6, Wheeler 5, Gibson 4.
Assists leaders: Swenson 2, Vavroch 2.
Steals leader: Vavroch 2.
Line score legend: Field goals made, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.

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